WELL. It has definitely been one of those months.
Meaning I have frolicked from one bizarre escapade to a tiring one, then hopping over to a this-month-has-gone-on-forever-help-me feeling. For instance: I just spent 20mins trying to make a sINGLE CUP OF TEA. Because I started, realised I needed to do the washing. Did the washing. Came back and boiled water. Except I forgot to BOIL the water. So I waited 5mins for cold tea to steep.
Ah hhh hhhhhHHHHhhhhhh aghaighghgigh.
REGARDLESS. I am now writing this post (WITH HOT TEA, A TRIUMPH) and looking back at books I apparently read 3 weeks ago? But it honestly feels like 2 YEARS AGO?
I swear. September went forever.
Also I’m co-hosting a #bookstagram challenge for October!
Finn and I aren’t into Halloween but we are very much obsessed with Maggie Stiefvater. So we thought?! WHY NOT HOST OUR OWN CHALLENGE?! Self five. We are geniuses. So please do join us (for any amount of time!) and all the props are flexible so you don’t even have to have read anything by Stiefvater! Although you should. Because Stiefvater.
We’ll be starting on October 1st! Aaaall the details on my instagram (@paperfury) or Finn’s (@miriamjoywrites!)
Now I always talk about A Thousand Perfect Notes here but guuuuesss what?!
I have Things to say about my second book today! The Boy Who Steals Houses!
Just in case you missed the news of it, this book is (A) NOT A SEQUEL, (B) it comes out April 4th 2019, and (C) when I kept whining “someone needs to edit this” that someone turned out to be me. Wow. I did not see that coming.
So I finished final edits!
I’m now staring at the document intensely in case any rogue typos want to turn themselves in. (Apparently there’s a typo in A Thousand Perfect Notes…yep. gIVE ME DEATH THANKS.) I didn’t actually think I was that dyslexic until I got started in publishing and my editor cautiously said, “Hey, so you know it’s flashback not backflash, right?”
Ah hahah. Yeah. I, um, knew that.
ANYWAY! So what’s next for The Boy Who Steals Houses?
- Now that I’ve done final edits —> it goes to copy editing stage!
- This means next time I see the file it’ll be all formatted to look like a REAL BOOK (cue freaking out!)
- I also need to think up a dedication…ATPN doesn’t have one because I hate dedications. Apparently I’m supposed to like people enough to dedicate books to them???? What the even.
- Also we will see a cover soon! (SAID CAIT LAST MONTH TOO. But look. Nothing is more uncertain than timelines in publishing. They work in another dimension.)
- And possibly ARCs will come around December! The best Christmas present oh wow.
Basically I actually had a really good time rereading! It’s a book that entirely has my heart.
I’m an utter sap for this book ok. So shhh have some sneaky snippets and I absolutely can’t wait for you to meet Sam and Avery in April!
My goal is always to read 18 books a month! Aaand…ok shh I’m 150 pages behind. But I will get there.
Preferably before, um, Monday.
I am finding it very difficult to read this year. Possibly because my attention is in 78 places and my mental health is in the trash. BUT ANYWAY. I may have counted my edit of TBWSH towards my Goodreads goal but who can blame me at this point. I am the cutest train wreck ever. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
BOOKS BOUGHT vs REVIEW COPIES
Ok actually book box ones are on the left too (I AM DISORGANISED). I got Catwoman from @Illumicrate, Contagion from @GoScribbler, and Mirage from @Owlcrate! (It’s a good life being a rep omg.) And The Miseducation Of Cameron Post (SO EXCITED TO FINALLY READ THIS) and Legendary were my buys for the month!
Thank you to Hachette, Simon & Schuster, Walker Books and Allen & Unwin for the review copies!
The Rift ARC actually came covered in rocks which was awesome ah hahah. And oMG I have a finished paperback of Muse of Nightmares #dead. Also I have actually read What If It’s Us…but I’ve 100% forgotten it (yes I am that bad) so I’m going to reread! Still trying to fathom why the UK edition is so darn ugly when the US is so darn pretty but such is life of arguing continents, I assume?
FROM NETGALLEY OR LIBRARY
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Sometimes I have THOUGHTS. This is shocking to me too.
- I’m actually counting down the days till October 20th when I fly back to visit my sister again!! Which means nephews and nieces! Library! Running up a mountain twice a day! Hoping her chickens don’t get mauled by a fox this time! Watching the 9month old baby speed crawl to destroy something!
- I very much miss them (we used to live 5mins away) so I’m glad to be going back again so soon.
- I’m going to be real with you (NERVOUS LAUGHTER) I actually haven’t been doing so well with my mental health. The move has, um, not helped. It’s been 1.5 years actually but still… ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ THIS LITTLE EMOJI GUY IS A SYMBOL OF MY MENTAL BREAKDOWN AH AHHAHAH.
- I’ve also had a slew of really disappointing news + some intense writers’ block…
- And on top of that, I keep suggesting my mother buys cream for us to whip and eat by the mountain aND YET SHE WON’T.
- I also need way more cake to survive.
- I can’t even.
- Anyway! I’m clawing out of the writers’ block (tOOTH AND CLAW) and hoping to do a pre-NaNo book. Being away visiting my sister for most of November is kind of putting a damper on doing Nano. But it’ll be my 5th year! I don’t want to miss it! (Plus did you know The Boy Who Steals Houses is a NaNo book!?) Anyway, this project will be contemporary genderbent A Secret Garden retelling, and the aesthetic is so good ok. I’m in love.
- It will have a very grumpy boy, the softest mum-friend girl who will fight you, and a love interest who is so hyper they make coffee look demure. And it will have a garden. And there might be bodies. WHO KNOWS.
- I’ve also had a few frustrating internet encounters. Which have me gritting my teeth. Look, I just want to say: even if I have a big follower count, I’M STILL A PERSON! I mean, none of you are the issue (of course! I LOVE YOU ALL) but it’s frustrating, you know?!
- I had someone lecture me to stop reviewing autistic books because “I had no idea what it was like to live as an autistic”…I am autistic. What the even.
- I constantly have people replying stupid/snide things to my tweets. Like literally, if you DON’T like my tweets, unfollow me.
- People go out of their way to MESSAGE ME TO SAY THEY HATE BOOKS I LOVE. Why. Whyyyyyyy.
- I get a lot of people asking me things like “what’s a literary agent” and “can you help me get my book published” which…wow, am I tired. I am happy to talk to people about publishing bUT NOT when they have clearly never googled about it in their lives! I am not google! Research the thousands of helpful articles out there about literary agents and THEN COME ASK ME SOMETHING SPECIFIC.
- Oh and then there’s the people who get snappy/rude when I won’t send them free copies of my book. (I am??? not??? rich??? Also would like to make a living out of this…you know…so I can publish more books and hopefully support myself one day.)
- OK SORRY. All the rants! I’m done. I’m good. Now you know how much I doubly appreciate everyone who is actually nice to me and doesn’t care about my follower count. (SQUISHES YOU ALL HAPPILY.)
- I also wish to say that Sept/Oct seem PURELY DESIGNED to empty our wallets. Why are all the book releases coming out now?! I am broken. Not broke. BROKEN. I want to read everything!! afdjsakldfs.
- I also had a tweet go viral!! Which is exciting!
- I also hope to keep blogging while I’m away in October….but I know I don’t blog as much as I used to. I’m sorry!! But I’m literally on instagram constantly. So if you want small doses of me (tbh, a wiser idea) I highly recommend stalking my Stories. I do lots of writing updates + book news + make up funny book memes that make me laugh (I’m a tough crowd so this is good news) aaaaand basically am a dork. It is fun. Stalk me.
The snippets from your new book looks awesome! I can’t wait to get my hands on it.
And I feel you about NaNoWriMo – I participated last year and I really want to do it again this year, but I have this Huge Important Assignment™️ in November and both October and December is going to be really busy too.
I am sad to hear that your mental health is getting worse and I hope you get better soon
I’m catching up on all the past two years YA releases, including a bit of Stephanie Garber, Cath Crowley and Renee Ahdieh. I’m also going to suggest ATPN to my library (broke bookworm can’t afford buying books)
Those snippets are awesome. I’m putting off reading ATPN so I don’t have to wait as long for TBWSH.
Argh, some people are incredibly annoying.
Only Cait would write a pre-Nano book… in October.
Oh but a Secret Garden retelling would be amazing! The Secret Garden is my favourite book at the moment, so many childhood memories. Very nice aesthetic too.
I’ve been reading Bel Canto lately and I just finsihed Breaking News but I’m not reading a lot of YA right now to be honest. I read quite a lot when I was in Indonesia at the beginning of this month, but I’m now super behind on book reviews because I’ve just had to put work first then uni (I’m so behind on uni it’s ridiculous and I’m very disappointed in myself basically :() I want to do Nano but I have to see how november looks and where I’ll be living and how much I’ll be working. but mabe! I do have lotssss of ideas for things I want to do when I am released from uni responsbilities haha. I’ll try to do the bookstagram challenge! September has been such a weird month for me because I started the month in the south with my sister then went to indonesia for two weeks then was in Sydney for a day then back for two weeks and now I’m in my grandma’s hometown, and I’ve literally been all over the place and my head and body have been in different places. But I’ve also learnt a lot and really been challenged and I’m exchited about what’s coming up (though I should really be reading academic articles, not commenting on blogs right now)
Anyway, sounds like you’ve had a really full on month too. I hope that this month goes okay. and thanks for all you do in the internet community–I’m one of a lot of people who appreciate it immensely. I’m sorry you have to deal with all the crap, and if stepping back or changing your style would help you, I would also be supportive of that. have a great october!
I’m reading For a Muse of Fire and Sea Witch at the moment, both pretty good. I am meant to be working on edits for This Is Not A Love Story, but I started back at Uni at the beginning of September so I’ve been kind of distracted. I don’t think I’ll be doing NaNo this year because I have a ton of deadlines in November and NaNo on top of that is just too stressful. I would definitely like to join in the bookstagram challenge, though I am kind of short on books at the moment, being at Uni. September has been pretty hectic really, I started back at Uni, I turned 22, my sister moved to Australia, so yeah it’s all been happening this month!
Oh and I found your review for Heretics Anonymous really interesting. I go to a conservative church ( but most people have read Harry Potter, so not THAT conservative ) and honestly hate the amount of hypocrisy and hate in the church. I really want to read that book now (honestly though, I’d seen it before and been put off by the toast).
SEPTEMBER IS A BLACK HOLE I DON’T WANT TO GET BACK TO. School has been crazy this month and it’s bound to get crazier next month. Goodbye sleep. Goodbye life. WHY CAN’T MY TEACHERS REALIZE I HAVE A LIFE OUTSIDE SCHOOL AND A WORLD TO RULE??? I am not a robot thank you very much.
Sorry for the rant. My sleep deprived self is just so upset.
Anywaaay, I’m currently reading The Poppy War AND I’M ABSOLUTELY IN LOVE. I have three quizzes to study for but I just want to read. Why can’t I just read??? I’m not joining NaNo though my sister keeps recruiting me to be her writing buddy but nah I don’t even have time to sleep.
I’M ABSOLUTELY GOING TO JOIN YOUR BOOKSTAGRAM CHALLENGE. I’m going to study like crazy tonight to have the time to take some photos tomorrow. I’m also planning to buy 3 Stiefvater books but the 2 aren’t sure yet. Shipping fee is a pain. But I’ve decided to buy Shiver because I saw an online shop which sells it for a cheap price!!! I’m broke so I’m digging these sales.
GOOD LUCK ON TBWSH!!! I’m literally promoting it every chance I can. I’m just so excited for it. I’m also sorry I haven’t had a chance to leave some comments on your posts lately. School consumes 90% of my time 😭
I am currently reading the dream thieves and I know that Maggie Stiefvater is now one of my all time favourite authors. I now understand why you and others love her.
Also don’t mind the haters, they aren’t worth your time. <3
I finished reading illuminae yesterday, it was so good! But that virus is really creepy!! And I got so mad at AIDAN!!! AND I JUST WANT TO TEAR HIM APART. Whimpy robot scared of the dark, eh? Well that sucker better avoid me, because I’d turn him off out of spite before destroying him. *grumbles about stupid AI and they’re so human but missing the important bits*
I need the next 2 books now.
Most crazily, ~Olive
I LOVE THE SNIPPETS AND I HATE THE FRUSTRATED INTERNET INTERACTIONS YOU HAD. People that try to suck out the joy by getting into an argument about why the Book You Like Is Actually Shitty don’t understand the whole point of it. It’s about what you like, what you care about, what you feel emotionally invested in. And what you like/don’t like is totally subjective, obviously AND THAT IS FINE AND GOOD AND OKAY. Don’t rain on somebodys parade. MOVING ON:
Super proud that you finished editing your second book!! #stillinlovewiththattitle
Note 1: totally need to read SADIE and VICIOUS and STRANGE THE DREAMER asap.
Note 2: Definitely try the genderbent Secret Garden Retelling BECAUSE THAT PINTERESTBOARD HAS MY EYEBALLS GLUED TO IT.
I’m trying to start NEVERNIGHT but I’m also waiting on my copy of GRIM LOVELIES and I don’t want to start it and then interrupt my reading of it because my copy arrived. STRUGGLES over STRUGGLES.
And yeesss, definitely doing NaNoWriMo for the first time this year. I need to choose which project to work on and get to prepping. I only have a month to get everything ready so I CAN GET TO WRITING when it starts AHHH.
Yes, where did September go? Of course, when you’re getting two kids back to school, it’s easy for time as you thought you knew it to just vanish… It means I as well did not get as much done as I was hoping to – in terms of writing, blogging, or pretty much anything.
So sorry to hear about your struggles! Hopefully things are getting better now?… Don’t even bother with the bad parts of the internet (maybe if we ignore it long enough it will go away?)… I’m sure going back to see your sister again so soon will bring about much needed rejuvination! I’ve been rubbish with keeping up with stuff myself lately, but remember you don’t need to suffer on the sidelines – email me and we can chat!
I will most likely not do NaNo this year. There are plenty of barely-started projects that I could deem a good NaNo project (i.e. to get the draft finished much quicker than would normally happen around here), but I truly don’t need the stress. I’m considering setting myself a strict goal – say, 30k words on one WIP in November – and seeing if I can stick to that!
Hey! Great post as always. They’re literally my break from studying for a while so cheers!
I’ve been in such a reading slump recently ever since school started back up! But I just finished reading The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern and oh my goodness it was incredible. The build up was kind of slow, but I didn’t even care because I knew that pay off would be amazing. And it was! My sleep deprived morning self can attest to it after staying up late reading way too many nights in a row.
That’s amazing news about your new book! Congrats on finishing your edits! How exciting!! I can’t wait to get my hands on it.
I really want to write something for NaNo this year because every time I’ve tried before I’ve failed miserably. But, hey, maybe this year I’ll finally do it?
And, pre-NaNo? Does that mean you’re going to write a book in October AND November?! The premise sounds amazing by the way. Mum-friends are the best!!
I’m sorry people are being horrible to you. You absolutely don’t deserve it. I appreciate your posts so much, whether that’s one a week or one every month or so! They always make my day and you’re honestly so hilarious!
I hope you have an amazing October and you write ALL the fantastic amazing wonderful words, and have a great time visiting your sister!
Hey! Great post as always. They’re literally my break from studying for a while so cheers!
I’ve been in such a reading slump recently ever since school started back up! But I just finished reading The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern and oh my goodness it was incredible. The build up was kind of slow, but I didn’t even care because I knew that pay off would be amazing. And it was! My sleep deprived morning self can attest to it after staying up late reading way too many nights in a row.
That’s amazing news about your new book! Congrats on finishing your edits! How exciting!! I can’t wait to get my hands on it.
I really want to write something for NaNo this year because every time I’ve tried before I’ve failed miserably. But, hey, maybe this year I’ll finally do it?
And, pre-NaNo? Does that mean you’re going to write a book in October AND November?! The premise sounds amazing by the way. Mum-friends are the best!!
I’m sorry people are being horrible to you. You absolutely don’t deserve it. I appreciate your posts so much, whether that’s one a week or one every month or so! They always make my day and you’re honestly so hilarious!
I hope you have an amazing October and you write ALL the fantastic amazing wonderful words, and have a great time visiting your sister!!
I’m sorry you’ve been having some rough times lately. *hugs* I hope that things get better/less stressful soon.
I just read A Thousand Perfect Notes, BTW! I enjoyed it, though I did kinda have to take a break about two-thirds of the way through — not because the book was bad, but because Beck’s stress + my stress = too much stress. It was good, though! And it was my first review of the school year for my college newspaper, which was exciting! I’m quite excited for The Boy Who Steals Houses as well.
Also, I totally agree about September/October and all the new releases. I have, like, fourteen books on my Fall 2018 reads, and that’s being selective. (Sorta. Mostly.) I don’t think I’ve had that many books for one season in years.
Hello!! Fan from America here. Just want to say that, first of all, your blog posts brighten my life! And I have a few questions:
1. WhErE dO i FiNd Ur BoOkS???? I can’t find them anywhere plz help I wanna read them so bad.
2. Is there any way my measly little book blog could get an ARC for The Boy Who Steals Houses when they come out to review. How does your publisher handle that. If not, please know I am eagerly awaiting purchase when your publishing house reaches the finish line!
3. Your mental health is very important. Like, writing and reading are important too but your mental health is the MOST important. Take it easy and I hope everything balances out soon.
All the soft emojis,
The Gnome
P.S. can I add you as a writing buddy on NaNo. How would one go about doing that.
Septembers almost over?????? WhAt???? I DIDN’T GET NEARLY AS MUCH READING AS I WANTED (should’ve saw this coming considering school forgets students have lives of their own) well I’m currently reading Vicious (first V.E. Schwab book!) I didn’t understand the hype around her but now I get it, I’m only about half way through but it’s so good and I just want to inhale the rest of today.
Also maybe I should do NaNo this year? I mean I’ve been working on a project on the world building and characters for months but maybe it’s time I actually write it even if it’s vomit (but aren’t first drafts always?)
I’m currently reading Dance of Thieves. A little disappointed so far, but I’m not very far in yet so I’m hoping it’ll pick up. Also reading Writing Irresistible Kidlit, by Mary Kole, and it’s so good!!! (I am eagerly awaiting TBWSH!!!!!!!! It looks so good!!!!!!!!)
I have Plans for NaNo. So excited! And then I came up with another idea yesterday that I fell in love with, so maybe I’ll do OctNoWriMo? That doesn’t sound smart even to me, but who ever said I was smart?
I hope that you stop receiving nasty comments and that people realize how amazing and wonderful you are. 🙂
I’ll join your #bookstagram challenge, but I haven’t had an Instagram account long enough to know how people take photos during the fall/winter. It’s dark and cloudy all the time! I didn’t think it was possible for my photos to get uglier, but they are getting uglier! Anyway, congrats on finishing the edits. Sorry about people being dumb on the Internet. I don’t understand why people need to be so negative. If you don’t like something, and it’s not hurting anyone, just don’t look at it. It’s not hard!
Don’t worry about the typo….I see typos in books about writing published by Writer’s Digest. All the time.
Whenever someone new learns I am an author, they assume: A. I have all the answers to their writing/publishing questions and B: assume I’ll edit their stuff for free. Why is this??
My September has gone too fast to remember much, but I am busy working on editing/finishing my third novel.
I’m sorry so many people are being rude to you, there are just a lot of rude people in this world, unfortunately. I hope you get out of your writer’s block soon, that can be tough.
Good luck with Nano this year!
I’m so sorry to hear your mental health hasn’t been the best lately, I hope that it will improve soon, I am sending you tons of positive vibes and cakes and love your way <3 <3 And yay for seeing your nephews and sister and yay library! I hope you'll have a fantastic time <3
I am really, really, really excited to read your book ahhhh, counting down the months. I'm excited to see the book cover too, I hope that will happen soon 😀 – but publishing does seem to be a bit…. complicated, I don't think I'll ever understand how everyything works haha.
I'm sorry people are so rude, ugh 🙁 take care of yourself Cait, I hope you'll have a fantastic weekend and a great October <3
I’m sorry that you’ve had so many crappy Internet interactions lately. That’s never fun. But I’m rereading The Raven Cycle and I just want to thank you because you’re the one who introduced me to them, and !!!!! they’re the best! Also I read ATPN and I don’t think I’ve ever been that stressed out reading a book before. I was a nervous wreck. *slow claps*
Ahh I can’t wait for your next book! And the excerpt makes it a lot more difficult. I am super excited for your instagram challenge as well.
the google thing!! i hate when people ask me questions, where you could LITERALLY do just do a quick google search and find amazing articles answering your very question. i don’t mind if it’s a specific question but when it’s clear u haven’t even tried looking anywhere else, i get frustrated. i’m sorry people on the internet are the worst, and god i hope your mental health begins to improve. good luck on nano!
You could dedicate the book to your followers. 😉
I can’t wait to see the cover! 😄
Those are great snippets.
I hope you blog about your visit to your sister; that’s always fun to read. 😃
“I’ve also had a slew of really disappointing news + some intense writers’ block…” Oh now! What was disappointing? 🙁
HOW DARE THOSE PEOPLE DO THAT TO QUEEN CAIT. JEALOUS IDIOTS WHO WISH TO BE AUTHORS, LEAVE HER ALONE, OR SHE WILL RELEASE HER ARMY OF FANS ON YOU!
And that is an epic tweet. I seriously wish that I had Twitter and Instagram so I could follow you. 😂
Yayyyyyy I’m so excited for TBWSH!! You’ve done amazing working so hard this month!! I’m so sorry to hear about all the mean internet people you have to deal with! 😞😞 Hope that gets better for you.
I’ve been reading the Great Library series this month and I’m absolutely in love with Wolfe and all the kids!! It’s been fabulous.
Enjoy your visit to your family!! Thanks for the great post!!
“We are the kings of nowhere. We only need us.”
Oh man, I like Sam already.
September’s been kind of a bleh month for me…not much reading, not much drawing, what even happened this month. The best thing I’ve read recent-ish is the Clocktaur War duology (Clockwork Boys + The Wonder Engine) by T. Kingfisher. It’s not technically YA but the author also writes a lot of YA so there’s a lot of crossover appeal. It has a Six of Crows vibe with a motley crew going behind enemy lines to perform an impossible heist, and also most of them don’t like/trust each other (the paladin and the assassin are lowkey always thinking of stabbing each other) and there is SO MUCH banter. It’s the funniest thing I’ve read all year.
I am considering getting Bright We Burn and/or The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein…they’re expensive and I have other books I haven’t read yet, but I read six out of the last seven books I bought, surely that counts for something??
Ah, I’m so sorry this month has been hard mentally. Honestly, the online world is so brutal. And the real life world is brutal, too. It’s just all so hard? I’ve been dealing with defending every thing I ever might think this month with literally everyone, so THAT’s been exhausting. I kind of understand, though obviously not completely.
And I think it’s SO COOL that you’re still able to stay on top of reading. 🙂 It is definitely inspiring! And the little snippets LOOK SO GREAT! I’m so excited for The Boy Who Steals Houses. Though I’m sorry you’ve had a slew of bad news, I hope it’s not book related!
Hope you have a fantastic trip to your sisters!!! I love The Secret Garden, I read it so many times growing up, and I think a gender swapped retelling would be SO COOL! And utterly magical and adorable?
I love your #amcurrently posts! Although I miss the updates on authors you used to include, I’m not complaining! I’m really excited for your second book!
Ah it sucks that you’ve had a tough month Cait. I hope you feel better soon! I am SO excited about TBWSH, and also that you enjoyed Sadie and Heretics Anonymous—I loooved Sadie, and Heretics Anonymous is super high on my tbr. It sounds so good!
SO MANY BOOKS CAIT YOU NEED TO RELAX!!!! You’re legit giving me anxiety. AND ALSO HOW DO YOU FIND TIME TO DO ALL OF THIS STUFF. Like how do you find the time to sleep, bathe, brush!!!?? amdjgfj you’re such a queen omg.
Also I got scared for a second because I thought that I might have been that one person who asks you random/ stupid question. Seriously hoping I’m not >_<
You’ve got Catwoman? I really want to read that. Selina Kyle is a queen. Do you recommend the whole series?
Sorry to hear you’re getting hate again. 🙁 You’d think people would be kinder, given that your ultimate goal is world domination and all… 😉 I hope your mental health improves too.
I’ll probably join NaNo, because I’m me. Not feeling particuarly inspired at all at the minute though. :'( Something about my whole life situation seems to be bad for me in general.
I’ve been reading a bunch of books that have so much potential and that I think could be amazing but then they just end up being “okay” which is…. annoying. Sure, not all books can be amazing but I JUST WISH I COULD LOVE YOU MORE BOOKS. Sigh.
I can kinda relate with all the mental health stuff. I mean it’s obviously not the same but still, September has been kinda hard because so much has been going on in my life with school starting again and 374 birthdays and things I should get in order. I’m sure it’s going to get better soon but I do wish I could just sit down with some good books for a solid week and do nothing else. Damn, I want to reread the Raven Cycle again so badly but I just don’t have the time…. the struggle.
Anyway, your snippets made me really excited about your second book and I hope we’ll get the cover soon because COVERS ARE COOL!
I am laughing at “three tutorials are enough to become an expert.” because that’s me every time I watch tutorial videos.
Ugh, why are there so many rude people on internet?! I hope you’re just shrugging off these meanies because they don;t deserve your attention.
As for me, I just posted a review for a YA contemporary that I really fell in love with: What They Don’t Know by Nicole Maggi. And I just finished an average/3 stars Adult mystery. And I just had a slice of coffee cake which is sweet but also a bit bitter (because coffee, what was I thinking?!) but still cake so life is still good for me.
Have a safe trip and I hope you enjoy your stay with your sister and the little humans of nephews and nieces.
Wait… is September over? Did I miss something! It’s been a very sad reading period for me since I have so much work. I only read five books, and one of them was a graphic novel. But it’s getting better! I’m excited to see what your next book has in store! Hope the NaNoWriMo goes well for you this year.
Hugs. I’m sorry your mental health has been suffering and those internet people really aren’t helping. Some day I hope you won’t have to deal with that (or not as much in any case).
SCREEEEEEEE! I kid you not, I’m so excited for The Boy Who Steals Houses!!! Like… I’ve turned into some kind-of feral animal?? My family is concerned…. but……I NEEEEDD IITTTTT!! (This could also be due to the fact that I haven’t left the house in a while XD but sssshhhhhh my madness has good reason! MORE BOOKS!!!!)
Also… IS THE SECRET GARDEN RETELLING MAYBE GOING TO BE PUBLISHED LIKE TBWSH???? I NEED THAT ONE TOOO!!!! Man…. you have some great book ideas. I need them all!!!!
Sometimes I really don’t understand people?? Like they sat there and pressed those buttons to write out that message and not once did they think, “Hmmm this is a bit rude actually” before they hit send?? Sometimes I wonder what they could possible be thinking that made that ok to them, but at the same time I don’t want to know.
Sending you loads of good vibes and cake! Lots of Cake! Hope you feel better soon!! <3
THIS IS A GREAT WRITER ENDORSEMENT. I AM VERY PLEASED. YOUR FAMILY WILL BE FINE, PFFT, BE AS WILD AS YOU WANT. (And haha no the Secret Garden retelling is just a WIP.😂Maybe it’ll go somewhere hopefully.😂)
And dude, I know right?! Like who goes online with the intention of just being super rude and snarky? It’s very annoying and a VERY bad use of time. Also who insults strangers!? I wouldn’t insult people like that without being provoked sheeeeesh.
*shares the cake with you because you are LOVELY*
I love seeing the sneak peeks for TBWSH! I can’t wait to read it!
Also, is it weird if I say I’d rather you be gone for longer if it means your mental health is better? Because I don’t want you gone, obviously. And not to worry, I full on stalk your Insta all day every day. Your Insta stories give me life.
My September was actually quite awesome reading wise. I’ve finally gotten back into a proper reading all day everyday schedule. I’ve been doing lots of rereads and finishing up series and it has been WONDERFUL! I only hope that it’ll continue being this great into 2019!
omg can I just say that it is SO kind of you to say that?! 😭💛💛I APPRECIATE IT MORE THAN I CAN SAY. I don’t think it’d actually help if I *didn’t* blog though. I just am going to attempt not to get mad at myself if I don’t write as many posts as I used to! But I would miss everyone a lot. Chatting about books is so much fun and I love getting to know all the other bloggers too!!
And I’m SO glad you had an epic September! Reading every day is actually kind of tricky right? 😂So that’s amazing you’ve been on reading FIRE lately!! WOOO!
Yay for your second book! It sounds awesome and I love the little snippets! That’s so exciting! 🙂
It really sucks that you’ve been having some annoying internet interactions lately though, and I’m sorry you’ve been having a bad time with your mental health. I hope you feel better soon! Have a great October! 🙂
omggg thank you, Laura!!💛You are so kind! And I hope you’ve been having a great October too!
That’s so sad that you’ve had to put up with people being like that! And your Secret Garden book sounds so amazing!
Aww THANK YOU!!💛 Some people are really frustrating but the majority are awesome at least. 😂
A STIEFVATER BOOKSTAGRAM CHALLENGE *hypervenilates* And it is at times like these that I wish I had Instagram ;D. I really need to just bite the bullet and get one – do you have tips for someone who’s just about to start up on Insta? Anything I should know about?
Sorry this reply is so late haha, but I did a post here about how to start doing bookstagram!
Cait, thank you so much for keeping on keeping on despite the haters! Something scary about blogging is the possibility of being attacked by other people…but seeing you keep your head up encourages me.
Also . . . I will not lie, flipping those books to see the review is such a stress reliever. TRY IT. *flip flip flip flippin’*
Aww, Amanda, you are lovely. It’s all the kind and encouraging and fun people that make it worth it anyway! I just hate how it’s easier to remember the negative comments over the kind ones, bleh.
I’m glad you like the flippy book widget. 😂It’s so fun!
I am SO EXCITED for your Bookstagram challenge!! I love the prompts and have pictures prepped for 4/7 this week (yay). I haven’t participated in NaNo before, and I’d LIKE to give it a shot this year. Unfortunately for us Aussie uni students, November is usually exam months so the timing kinda sucks. I’m contemplating setting the goal of editing the last ~40k words of my WIP instead of writing new ones…but we’ll see!!
Ahhhh best of luck if you do a bit of NaNo!! It is at a sucky time of year though, right?!😂
Literally the cutest train that was ever to wreck.
Sorry to hear about your mental health breakdown. I feel like it’s pretty normal for people to have them regularly though (I know I def do)…
Also, totally here for the Secret Garden retelling. One of my favorite classics EVER! Please do. 🙂
And I know it’s possible for some, but try to ignore the trolls. That’s all they are – trolls. And that’s all they’ll probably ever be.
N’AWWW THE NICEST BEAN YOU ARE. 😍😂And having like annual mental breakdowns feels like a wise idea. Everyone’s doing it these days. Might as well join in! *panics recreationaly*
I’m so freaking excited for TBWSH! And anything else you publish because, come on, you’re basically an instant-buy for me at this point. xD
Hate that people are being such buttholes to you, though. Apparently common sense is no longer something people are born with but something that has to be matured and found. :/
ANNE!!! I CAN’T EVEN SAY HOW MUCH THIS MEANS TO ME!!😍😍
I am SO excited about The Boy Who Steals Houses. I remember it from your NaNo days. And I’m really sorry to hear about the frustrations of dealing with people who can’t keep their not-so-nice thoughts to themselves.
Please make sure you take care of yourself. I remember hearing Adam Silvera talk about the depression that came along with his first book being released. He said it’s like it’s this amazing thing that’s happening, but it’s also so much stress that goes along with it and then guilt over feeling stressed and worries that the next book won’t happen and … it ends up being a really difficult time in a lot of ways. I remember thinking that that made SO much sense. So do what you need to in order to make sure that you’re okay. That’s always the most important thing!
Omg I’m so chuffed you remember when I wrote TBWSH back in the day and was blogging about it!! That makes me so happy ahhh.
I love Adam’s work so that’s actually really encouraging to read. And he’s gotten SO famous so ajfkdlsa. I’m glad it worked out for him! I am seriously glad that I had TBWSH already written though because omg the second-book-blues is real and terrifying.😭
September was a weird, timeless vortex that either dragged on for some people or passed by in like a single day for others. I still feel like it’s August. O.o
Isn’t it strange how authors are expected to edit their OWN novels?? It’s unbelievable. Such a shame, really. (She says, with twelve unedited novels collecting dust in the corner of the room.)
Dedications and acknowledgements always fascinate me. I don’t understand why some people skip over reading them because it’s an interesting peek into the author’s real life outside the fictional world. Although I can’t imagine writing them . . . I’d be so paranoid about leaving somebody out or dedicating it to the “wrong” person.
Moxie is me. *insert crying laugh emoji here* I watch one tutorial and read a single Pinterest how-to and suddenly I think I should know how to do everything perfectly.
Curious to hear what you think about The Miseducation of Cameron Post! I loved the writing, but I had mixed feelings about the plot itself.
Babies under one who speed crawl to destroy things strESS ME OUT TO NO END. I don’t know how parents do it, honestly. I’m always scared the kid’s going to eat something/fall off something/ram into something/feed something to the dog.
I’m sorry your mental health hasn’t been great. 🙁 Those periods always suck. Here’s to hoping October is better!
AHHHHH YES YOUR SECRET GARDEN RETELLING LOOKS AMAZING PLEASE WRITE IT. I will read the HECK out of it if/when it’s published!!
I don’t get people who ask authors for free copies of books like at ALL. Would you ask a chef to cook you a meal for free instead of purchasing one at their restaurant? Would you ask a plumber to come fix your pipes for free instead of paying them?? No? Okay, then, buy the book (or get it at the library!).
My NaNo prep is basically me just being a disaster at outlining because I can’t ever decide how my book is going to END. I’m a mess. xD Plus I decided I’d sign up to be a Municipal Liaison for my region this year, which means more of my energy has gone to cleaning up the regional forums, updating the calendar, scheduling write-ins, and buying goodies for a kick-off party. So we’ll see how this novel goes, I guess?? I’m really excited about it, but I know next to NOTHING about what is actually going to happen in the story.
OMG FINALLY SOMEONE SAID IT!! Everyone else is like “wow this year is rushing!” and I’m like…😂It is very much not.
And omg still in shock over this whole idea that *I* have to work my own career. Smh. I expected better from the universe. But agreeeed about dedications/acknowledgements. Although at this rate I’m going to accidentally have a non-dedication thing.😂I just am picking out a line from my book to use instead haha.
(I’m actually a bit nervous about the plot of Miseducation too…I feel like it’s going to make me very anxious, but hopefully will be worth it!)
Apparently authors are worth nothing compared to everything and everyone else. 😭😭
Ohhhh YAY FOR NANO MESSES. *shares cake with you* I hope yours goes well though! The post I read of yours about it sounds amazing!
I agree that September was the longest year this decade so far.
But YAAAAAY TBWSH news! The reason nobody tells you you’re the one who has to edit it is because then that gives you a chance to run away screaming. Also, I do that weird word reversal thing all the time? Thank goodness for my beta, who puts up with me, despite how many times she questions whether I can actually word (the correct answer is no, probably not).
I’m sorry about your mental health! September was hard for me, too, mentally and emotionally, and clawing my way out. I ate cake, even though I wasn’t supposed to. Cake helps. You definitely need more cake. *writes doctor’s prescription for cake twice daily and sticks it to your forehead*
You now what? I’m already calling that March and April of 2019 are going to be super hard on the wallet, too, because it seems like 80% of the books I’m looking forward to now are coming out around then (ish?). Maybe the publishing industry will take pity on us (ha, I doubt it), but I might as well just take, like, all of April off to read all these books.
Omg editing is HARD.😂Every time you think you’ve caught all the mistakes, it’s like — WHAM — here are some more.😂
Aww but I send you cake too because clearly september was sucky all around for those of us with mental health struggles. Here’s to hoping for a better October!
I’m sorry your mental health has been suffering. It’s been the same for me and so, last month I started seeing a Therapist and I’ve been better for it – it’s over the phone so it’s so much easier <3
The snippets from your book have me very excited! I laughed so hard at the 'Unless you're an axe murderer'. It's a line I've seen frequently in film and literature but you've put your own twist on it that makes it super unique.
I’m so glad you’re getting some help and talking to someone!💛That’s such a huge (and often scary) step and I’m glad it’s working well for you!
Also afjkdsad I’m gad you liked that line.😂
Ah Cait, my mental health hasn’t been that great lately either. SO FRUSTRATING. I literally have no stress at the moment…but I’m so stressed which makes perfect sense.
The Boy Who Steals Houses sounds amazing – AHH!! *_*
Ugh I feel for you. *shares cake with you because obviously we both deserve this right now* 😭💛💛
woah there Cait. you are a writing machine. A PRE-NANO BOOK???? INSANITY.
also april 4th cannot come fast enough. Counting down the days.
omg but don’t count down too fast because I am not ready for April 4th.😂
I am v excited about The Boy Who Steals Houses because I also have grown up in a large family, so I am excited to see the chaos happen. (I am so tired right now and can’t form coherent sentences. Forgive me.)
I hope your mental health looks up soon. Moving is tough and with all the publishing and internet stuff on top of it…whoo. (I’m getting even more tired thinking about it.) Anyway, props to you! I’m wishing you all the best.
AHHHH so so happy you’re excited for TBWSH!! I also grew up with 5 siblings 😂 so I may have stolen several scenes from real life lmao.
So feeling you with the move & mental health thing. I moved away from most of my family & friends nearly 3 years ago now & I still haven’t recovered from the nosedive my mental health took 🙁 And the knock-on effect on my writing, for that matter.
Wow, I had no idea people were telling you not to review autistic books. What even? And it’s not even like you don’t talk about being autistic, I know there’s a whole thing about the flipside of #ownvoices promotion being that people get pressured to come out (as queer, disabled, neurodiverse, whatever) or even outed involuntarily, but that’s not even what this is so… People suck. Not all people. But a lot of people.
18 books a month is incredible. I manage about 10-12 and I’m pretty damn impressed with myself for that, tbh!
Your Secret Garden retelling sounds AMAZING. It’s one of my all-time-favourite children’s books and I have never seen a retelling of it before.
By the way, I love your #amcurrently format for the end-of-month posts, would you mind if I steal it & tweak it & use it? I’ve been terrible at blogging and hardly posted anything for months and months, but this looks fun.
Omg I’m so sorry you’re going through the same thing. 😭But oh blehehe it’s not getting easier and that’s really hard. It’s totally hitting my writing HARD and I’m scared I won’t get back to the industrious-full-of-new-ideas person I used to be. It’s scary.
And yeah I actually have a lot of dislike for the #ownvoices label and how it pressures people! I do talk about being autistic but not like…constantly, because I don’t always want to!?😂But I hate having to like pull out my credentials to even TALK. Ugh.
And omg of course! Go for it with using this format! I don’t think I invented #amcurrently posts anyway.😂
Hello Cait,
I’m really sorry to hear you’ve been having a tough time. The internet is both a wonderful and terrifying place, and sometimes I think I hate it as much as I love it. (I do love it really, but it seems to make people do weird and not very nice things I feel they’d never do in real life or face to face).
Anyway, I hope you feel better soon and have a nice visit with your sister!
I have been good this month, and actually…. I just got my forst batch of draft covers from my publisher for my book!!! EEEEeeeeee! So that is very much exciting and insane and wonderful. Luckily I really love the one they want to go with, so that is great. I think it is very cute! I can’t wait until it is all done and official and I can post a picture of it.
🙂
It is definitely wonderful/terrifying! 😂I mean the good outweighs the bad for sure haha, but it’s very easy to get down when people spout nonsense a lot.
AHHHH congrats on seeing the cover drafts! I can’t WAIT to see the final one too!
AAAAHHH!!! I seriously need to read your newest book as soon as possible! I still haven’t read your first book yet (seriously, what’s wrong with me)? Anyway, sorry about the mean comments you’ve been getting. That’s happened to me too and it’s NOT PLEASANT!!! But, I just ignore them because I really don’t want to feel let down by all of these mean comments. Besides, you are a BEST SELLING author now! That’s WAY better than those mean comments any day! LOL! Keep up the writing!! It makes my day every time I see your writing updates!
It is very very wise to just ignore the mean comments tbh. 😂 Getting worked up is just a waste of energy although it’s really hard not to sometimes lmao.😂
I am just now discovering your blog and wowowow. I am so excited to keep up with you and read your books. You are inspiring me to become a better reader and to also make time when it seems like there is none even though there freaking is. Thank you!!!
Omg this makes me very happy! *flails forever* 💛💛💛
Just ordered A Thousand Perfect Notes!! Can’t wait to devour it.
Also, you spell your name the same way that my best friend does. I knew this was meant to be. 🙂
Omg thank you for getting it!! 💖✨ ✨
Aw Cait I’m sorry to hear September wasn’t amaze-a-balls. SCREW DAM INTERNET MEANIES. You should make a lot of whoopie pies and throw those at them, that could be fun!! I’m so excited to see that The Confectioner’s Guild is on your TBR (literally been stalking you now to see if you’ve read it yet and what you thought, I’m picking it up next!).
Also HOLY WOW I’m so excited for your next book it’s not even funny. I’m *living* for it. And kudos to you for powering through edits of your book, I’m stuck in a bog of having exactly ZERO time for writing at the moment and oh my lord it’s so frustrating. Looks like you read some cool and interesting books last month, though! I still ALWAYS get envious of your ability to eat books so fast, I have so many I want to get around to but dangit eyes, they so slow. FINGERS CROSSED October is full of fireworks and super extra cakes <3
Ahh I’m hoping to start The Confectioner’s Guild tonight! Considering um it’s like accidentally nearly out and I have accidentally not even started it yet.😂 Whoops. Why do release dates creep up on me so bad?!
I’M SO HAPPY YOU’RE EXCITED FOR MY BOOK. THIS MAKES MY DAY. I hope you also get more writing time soon though!