As we say in the service industry, I am in the weeds.
I am on deadline for a draft of the next book, am trying desperately to finish two pilot spec scripts, and have a bunch of freelance work I’ve put on my own plate. I do have a proper newsletter in my drafts that should go out next week, but in the meantime, I wanted to let y’all know about some events and classes I have coming up.
SATURDAY Nov. 5th: I’ll be at the Portland Book festival! I’m doing a pop-up reading at the Portland Art Museum from 2:30-2:50. Come find me on the 3rd floor in the Native American Art Gallery. I’ll be reading from my debut novel, The Boy with a Bird in His Chest. Afterwards, I’ll walk the expansive crowd, catching panels and browsing books. If you see me, feel free to come up and say hi! It’s my first time back at Portland Book Festival since 2019, and the first time ever since having a proper book out. I remember volunteering in the festival’s early days when it was known as Wordstock so this is definitely a full circle moment. I am in constant awe of the trajectory of my career. I’m happy to be here.
TUESDAY Nov. 8th: I'll be in conversation with Neil Cochrane at Broadway Books in Portland. We’ll be discussing Neil’s amazing fantasy novel, The Story of the Hundred Promises. It’s a retelling of Beauty and the Beast but very queer and very trans. I know it’s election night, but what better way to make sure you’re not anxiously watching percentages roll in as polls close than joining us for what will surely be a fabulous evening.
SATURDAY Nov. 12th: I’m leading a craft intensive class called EVERY ACTION IS A SPELL: FINDING THE MAGIC IN OUR STORIES with Tin House. The virtual class will be from 2pm et/11am pt – 5pm et/2pm pt. We will do a ton of magic and discuss how we weave that magic into our writing. It will be very woo. It will be SUPER magical. I’m really excited for this one. As of the writing of this email, there are only three two slots left.
Finally, no spell this time around, but I’leave you with this: Yesterday, I was feeling like shit. Maybe post vacation blues. Maybe just the general blues. I opened up the Chani app, which is one of my favorite apps for reading horoscopes and hearing about the astrological weather. My horoscope for the day was about how abundance and gifts are coming my way, but in order to make the most of them, I should practice receiving. To practice receiving, I should spend five minutes and recount all the abundance already present in my life. I set a timer and did just that. Afterwards, I felt light. I felt gratitude. I felt deep admiration for the life I’ve built for myself.