I'm burbling away today all the great stuff going on with NEVER THE ROSES - including the *super cool* Owl Crate edition plans, updates on the upcoming cover reveal, UK release, audiobook (dual narration!) and why working with traditional publishing can be so great. The Happy FaRoDays event is here! https://farofeb.com/happy-farodays/ Visit Jennife…

On writing through trauma, and then not remembering what I wrote! My exciting new vacuum cleaner (lol) and the birth of social media. Also, having the confidence (and blessing) of a cis-het white man in ignoring edits. The Happy FaRoDays event is here! https://farofeb.com/happy-farodays/ Visit JenniferKLambert.com RELUCTANT WIZARD is out now and au…

Understanding what I need regarding taking time off - or NOT! - and how important it is for us to collect data on our own process. Also, the inevitability of losing friendships as we build our careers and businesses. The book I mention THE FRIEND WHO GOT AWAY is here https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385511868 The Happy FaRoDays event is here! htt…

Sharing some excellent, exciting news on NEVER THE ROSES, along with an unexpected challenge of having a pen name, a tip on developing an author signature, and how we don't have to do something we don't want to do. The Happy FaRoDays event is here! https://farofeb.com/happy-farodays/ Visit JenniferKLambert.com RELUCTANT WIZARD is out now and audiob…

I'm finishing A ROSE IN THE MIRROR today!! On story structure, beats, and how this strange book has been spot-on. Also, the long-game, how a writing career can go wrong and instead shooting for a sustainable life as an author. The Happy FaRoDays event is here! https://farofeb.com/happy-farodays/ Visit JenniferKLambert.com RELUCTANT WIZARD is out no…

A cover reveal today of STRANGE FAMILIAR! Also a discussion of Avenger's Endgame and my epiphany on the strategic element that elevates a fight/battle scene from mutual bashing to epic storytelling. The Happy FaRoDays event is here! https://farofeb.com/happy-farodays/ Visit JenniferKLambert.com RELUCTANT WIZARD is out now and audiobook is live!! ht…

On Yog's Law - that money must flow to the creator - and why paying a company to publish your books is a terrible idea. Also, why your creativity will beat "AI" and how you can make a living as a creator. Becca Syme's Better Faster Academy is here https://betterfasteracademy.com/ Visit JenniferKLambert.com RELUCTANT WIZARD is out now and audiobook …

On giving ourselves permission to give less than 100% (or more) effort to tasks and projects that aren't our priority. Insights I gained from Becca Syme's Author Business Summit, sustainability of all our efforts, and taking time off. Becca Syme's Better Faster Academy is here https://betterfasteracademy.com/ Visit JenniferKLambert.com RELUCTANT WI…

Instead of writing what you know? Write what you are. Other thoughts on revision, integrity, and a story about a guy I knew back in my peer counseling days in college who behaved badly toward women. Warning: abrupt stop. Instead of hitting pause, I hit the stop button, but I was done anyway, so... you just don't get the usual sign-off today. But I …

Some reflections on the nature of good and evil and what my definitions are. Also, how yoga teaches banishing the destructive emotions of fear and anger and replacing them with joy and love. And how I'm practicing non-violence. Visit JenniferKLambert.com RELUCTANT WIZARD is out now and audiobook is live!! https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wiza…

My hot brilliant mess that I'm revising from the beginning today, with some reflections on how a focused crit can solve everything. Also, "women telling men what to do" and how I'm feeling moving forward politically. Visit JenniferKLambert.com RELUCTANT WIZARD is out now and audiobook is live!! https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizard You can …

A story about internet trolls and boys on the playground in grade school - and how they have the same tactics. On not succumbing to their bullying and remembering that they're trying to use fear as a tool. Visit JenniferKLambert.com RELUCTANT WIZARD is out now and audiobook is live!! https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizard You can preorder ST…

Thoughts on storytelling, why we tell stories, the definition of success and if after our deaths counts, Carrie Vaughn's THE NATURALIST SOCIETY, the role of ARCs and critique, and how to know when to stop revising and send to an editor. Visit JenniferKLambert.com RELUCTANT WIZARD is out now and audiobook is live!! https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluc…

How I've been calming myself about the US election and voting with joy! Also, thoughts about the Uncanny Valley (unrelated), and what it really does and doesn't mean to be a "bestselling author," how the lists work, and the only metric that truly matters. Visit JenniferKLambert.com RELUCTANT WIZARD is out now and audiobook is live!! https://www.jef…

Sorting out why I felt so hurt by the author who slammed on the Romantasy genre as "amuse bouche" compared to her books, some experiences I've had with older female writers in fantasy, and thoughts on drafting vs revising. Visit JenniferKLambert.com RELUCTANT WIZARD is out now and audiobook is live!! https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizard Yo…

Sorting reasons to be a writer, how you CAN make a living at it, and what it means to treat this profession like a business. Also, why age and dry wit isn't an excuse to insult other authors and genres. Visit JenniferKLambert.com RELUCTANT WIZARD is out now and audiobook is almost here!! https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizard You can preorde…

Several pieces of good news here, including that the Jennifer K. Lambert website is now live! Also, a discussion of being aware of changing social media expectations and why you don't diss other authors' books. Like, ever. Visit JenniferKLambert.com RELUCTANT WIZARD is out now and audiobook is almost here!! https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wi…

A continuation of my intensive breakdown of the language "coaches" use to entice you to spend your money, why their "guarantees" mean nothing, truth and lies about passive income, and sustaining a career as an author. RELUCTANT WIZARD is out now and audiobook is almost here!! https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizard You can preorder STRANGE FA…

My very productive week, the problem with writing dialect, and the first part of an intensive breakdown of the language "coaches" use to entice you to spend your money and simultaneously erode your self-confidence. RELUCTANT WIZARD is out now and audiobook is almost here!! https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizard You can preorder STRANGE FAMIL…

How not to lose your mind about typos, proofing, and addressing corrections at various stages of editing. Also endorsement quotes, ARCs, and what the expectations are. Plus Jennifer Aniston or Angelina Jolie? RELUCTANT WIZARD is out now!! https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizard You can preorder STRANGE FAMILIAR at https://www.jeffekennedy.com…

Breaking the gridlock of chronology in a story - when it's a useful tool and why, and when it can be a crutch. Also, how process changes with every book, indicating a good stretch, and the ravages of book brain. RELUCTANT WIZARD is out now!! https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizard You can preorder STRANGE FAMILIAR at https://www.jeffekennedy.…

On celebrating and taking a break, and I'm sharing some great new endorsement quotes for NEVER THE ROSES! Also, internalized misogyny, Taylor Swift & Blake Lively, and why I'm shifting away from search engines and back to bookmarking websites like it's 2004. And yes, I realize I said "Age of Adaline" when I meant "It Ends with Us." I watched both. …

On the story structure that utilizes characters that represent heart, mind, and body. Also, how to know when to listen to critique and then making the judgment call of folding information into a story without slowing pace. RELUCTANT WIZARD is out now!! https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizard You can preorder STRANGE FAMILIAR at https://www.je…

How sometimes we stop caring about things that were once meaningful and that it's okay to let them go. Some insights on my Achiever and Intellection Clifton Strengths, celebrating wins, and connecting with friends. RELUCTANT WIZARD is out now!! https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizard You can preorder STRANGE FAMILIAR at https://www.jeffekenne…

Some tough love today! I explain how no one will ever care about your writing career as much as you do and how other people will always be happy to suck up your time and energy. Also, exciting news on NEVER THE ROSES! RELUCTANT WIZARD is out now!! https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizard You can preorder STRANGE FAMILIAR at https://www.jeffeke…

My appliance-drama-filled weekend, pet-drama-filled Monday, a happy resolution to previous pet-drama, my great character flaw, and how a robust backlist not only is the best marketing, but continues to provide income in lots of ways. The Agatha Christie quote I read is: "There was a moment when I changed from an amateur to a professional. I assumed…

A story about how an indie bookstore cheated me (if you didn't see it on Threads), my friend who died and people trying to dig for scandalous information, plus my excellent progress this week! RELUCTANT WIZARD is out now!! https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizard You can preorder STRANGE FAMILIAR at https://www.jeffekennedy.com/strange-familia…

An exciting sneak peek of the interior design of NEVER THE ROSES! Also, a deep dive into author finances, how to manage income by maximizing tax-deductions, promoting your work, and when to DIY vs. paying an expert. RELUCTANT WIZARD is out now!! https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizard You can preorder STRANGE FAMILIAR at https://www.jeffekenn…

Why so many authors end up "trunking" their first novel, why it's often not only a good idea, but inevitable - and how to know if you should. Also, garbage data, The Fall, and The Riddle Master of Hed (and why I think I bounced off of it as a kid). RELUCTANT WIZARD is out now!! https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizard You can preorder STRANGE …

The role of luck/serendipity in publishing success, how it's not who you know, but how you can know people. Also, the problems at NaNoWriMo, and why I believe being a writer and the process of writing is more important than having generated a book. RELUCTANT WIZARD is out now!! https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizard You can preorder STRANGE …

My mojo is back and my mother is doing well! Other than reports on that - and progress on A ROSE IN THE MIRROR - I'm talking about first names and surnames, feminism, women supporting women (or not), and Kamala Harris. RELUCTANT WIZARD is out now!! https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizard You can preorder STRANGE FAMILIAR at https://www.jeffek…

My wonderful weekend at Bubonicon and exciting news about next year's con. Also, thoughts on more experienced authors giving advice to newbies, how to be honest without stomping on their dreams, and a story of my own newbie dream-crushing. The preorder links for RELUCTANT WIZARD, out August 27, are here https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizard…

My great news/bad news week, why I didn't podcast Monday, my mom's health crisis and my writing productivity in the face of it anyway. Also, keeping good relationships in the publishing business. The preorder links for RELUCTANT WIZARD, out August 27, are here https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizard The posture-correcting sports bra I love al…

My thoughts on admiring and idolizing the creators of the art we love, meeting your heroes, being careful what we complain about online, my unexpected trip to Tucson and exciting news on NEVER THE ROSES! John Scalzi's essay that I reference is here https://whatever.scalzi.com/2024/08/15/please-dont-idolize-me-or-anyone-really/ The preorder links fo…

Why we, as adult creatives, must learn to overcome the well-meaning lessons we were taught as children - like recognizing daydreaming as a feature, not a bug. Also, practical approaches to self-care, nurturing our creative selves, and what happened to me yesterday. The preorder links for RELUCTANT WIZARD, out August 27, are here https://www.jeffeke…

Recent revelations on ghostwriting, using metrics for good, rain gauges, gardening, JD Vance's memoir, the real meaning of "bemused" and whether everyone has one great novel or flower arrangement in them. Ann Patchett's book The Getaway Car: A Practical Memoir About Writing and Life is here https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12471186-the-getaway-c…

How traditional publishing deadlines work - and how I'm balancing one of mine with a self-published project. Also, homonyms and how you really need a human being to catch those errors for you. The preorder links for RELUCTANT WIZARD, out August 27, are here https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizard The posture-correcting sports bra I love almos…

Envy and jealousy, especially professional jealousy and how to combat them. I'm talking negative emotions in general and offering my two go-to tips for how to diffuse professional jealousy in myself and make it a positive. The site on Tall Poppy Syndrome is here https://www.womenofinfluence.ca/tps/ The preorder links for RELUCTANT WIZARD, out Augus…

A peek at my "map scrap" for NEVER THE ROSES, updates on ARCs, and endorsement quotes as another new-to-me term. Also, not taking other people so seriously and the internet as a weapon against loneliness. The preorder links for RELUCTANT WIZARD, out August 27, are here https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizard The posture-correcting sports bra …

Why I fell off the face of the earth (or at least, the internet) this week and what I've been doing. Also a peek at the gorgeous box and hardcover edition of BENEATH THESE CURSED STARS by Lexi Ryan! The preorder links for RELUCTANT WIZARD, out August 27, are here https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizard The posture-correcting sports bra I love…

How gardening is a great metaphor for life and creativity - accepting loss and treating that as an opportunity to plant anew, embracing change, and giving up control. Also, ways to be kind to ourselves. Stephanie Pui-Mun Law's special edition Tarot deck is here https://shadowscapes.com/Tarot/deckSE.php The preorder links for RELUCTANT WIZARD, out A…

On having shining boundaries to protect your sacred, creative spaces, even if it makes people angry, which it will. Also, gardening as an extended analogy for writing, how we keep learning and recreating. The preorder links for RELUCTANT WIZARD, out August 27, are here https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizard The posture-correcting sports bra …

On knife-throwing and yoga - and why the process is the most important part, not the goal. Also, "rules" for submitting to traditional publishing, talent vs. discipline, gardening, and having the bandwidth to take on new projects. The preorder links for RELUCTANT WIZARD, out August 27, are here https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizard The post…

My experience so far with putting a Romantasy series in KU and plan to have RELUCTANT WIZARD wide for preorder and into KU on release day. Also thoughts on patriotism, politics, and diverse reading. Last day to bid on Personalized Author Coaching with Jeffe Kennedy to benefit the Romancing the Vote fundraiser! https://www.32auctions.com/organizatio…

A round-up of my very fun weekend with visiting writers and local ones, our wide-ranging conversations, giving and valuing advice, being a caretaker and having friends care, and also coaching from me at Romancing the Vote! Bid on Personalized Author Coaching with Jeffe Kennedy to benefit the Romancing the Vote fundraiser! https://www.32auctions.com…

I'm questioning why ANY of you watched the presidential "debate." On more interesting topics, I'm discussing Romantasy, Paranormal Romance, fantasy worldbuilding vs. vibes, and my ongoing lesson in writing more and faster. The Paste Magazine article on Romantasy I mention is here https://www.pastemagazine.com/books/fantasy-books/what-is-romantasy-f…

A discussion of the agent taking a querying author's idea and asking someone else to write it, on ideas in general, and why you still shouldn't worry about people stealing them. Also, a party at GRRM's and how even famous writers are still people. The preorder links for RELUCTANT WIZARD, out August 27, are here https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctan…

Finally, the cover reveal for RELUCTANT WIZARD, along with the preorder links!! Also, some updates on Darynda Jones and her surgery, and thoughts on the six-figure book deal discourse and why traditional publishing isn't the enemy. The preorder links for RELUCTANT WIZARD, out August 27, are here https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizard The pos…

Updates on edits on NEVER THE ROSES, the ups and downs of maternity leave, women supporting women, the amazing show UNBELIEVABLE that I want you all to watch, and the enduring pain of asking for endorsement quotes. The posture-correcting sports bra I love almost more than life itself is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGA You can buy tic…

More cats-will-happen-drama in my life. Also, traditional publishing, why an agent is such a great asset, and how it never gets easier handing edits and critique, and how deciding how/if to incorporate suggestions is a spectrum. The posture-correcting sports bra I love almost more than life itself is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGA Y…