I’m working through line edits for the Yuletide Horror anthology right now, which is one of those behind-the-scenes publishing jobs that takes a lot longer than you’d probably think.

I go through every story line by line looking for the tiny things that are easy to miss: punctuation, capitalization, spacing, missing or repeated words, italics, dialogue formatting, paragraph breaks, and anything else that looks off.

With an anthology, there’s another layer to it because every story comes from a different author. I want to preserve each author’s voice while also making sure the book feels consistent as a whole. That means checking things like formatting, how scene breaks are handled, quotation marks, em dashes, headers, and all the little style choices that need to match from one story to the next.

It’s definitely not the most exciting part of publishing to show off, but it’s a huge part of what happens between receiving a finished story and having an anthology that’s actually ready to become a book.

It’s the kind of work nobody really notices when it’s done right, which is exactly the point.

Happy September, friends! It's time for our August disability release round-up, and this month I came across a lot of book releases starring disabled main characters!

And don't forget to fill out this Google form if you want your personalized recommendations for the month!

books by own voices or otherwise disabled authors

Everything Comes Back to You by Jackie Khalilieh

genre: YA Contemporary

representation: autism

These Vile Hearts by Melody Robinette

genre: fantasy romance, horror

representation: type 1 diabetes

The Fated Librarian by Melissa Whitney

genre: paranormal romance

representation: PTSD, anxiety

She Haunts Me Still by De Elizabeth

genre: horror romantasy

representation: mental illness

The Halls of the Dead by S.M. Hallow

genre: horror

representation: chronic pelvic pain

Ship Happens by Mason Deaver

genre: romance

representation: arthritis, cane user

Left on Read by Marissa Eller

genre: YA Contemporary

representation: chronic migraines

Unapologetic Love Story by Elle McNicoll

genre: romance

representation: autism

Rise Above by C.M. Stewart

genre: romance

representation: pineal cyst brain surgery survivor, PTSD

When in Doubt by Anna Harrison

genre: romance

representation: autism

The Torment of Tides by Anya Keeler

genre: fantasy romance

representation: multiple chronic illnesses and disabilities

Finding Gene Kelly (audio release) by Torie Jean

genre: romance

representation: endometriosis

books by non-disabled authors and authors of unknown ability

A Clash of Carnivores by Liselle Sambury

genre: YA Fantasy

representation: eating disorder, side character with limb difference

Concentration Play by Katherine McIntyre

genre: erotic romance

representation: OCD

Not Here to Make Friends by Casey Swan

genre: romance

representation: type 1 diabetes

Big Apple Farm by Megan Clawson

genre: romance

representation: anxiety, panic attacks

The Way We Used to Be by Amerie Wheeler

genre: romance

representation: autism, ADHD

The Poison Daughter by Sheila Masterson

genre: fantasy romance

representation: chronic pain, chronic illness

A Taste of Vanilla by Anna Noel

genre: romance

representation: endometriosis

The Minimalist by Kailee Pedersen

genre: horror

representation: c-PTSD

Worth the Fight by Laura Beth

genre: romance

representation: PTSD

Not on the Same Page by Allie Samberts

genre: romance

representation: anxiety

The Cowboy Cabaret by Delilah Cardinelle

genre: romance

representation: anxiety

The One Where They Fall in Love by Cristina Wolf

genre: romance

representation: OCD

Defend Her Heart by Jillian Arly

genre: romance

representation: chronic illness

Fall Risk by Julie Pierce

genre: romance

representation: osteogenesis imperfecta

Fruit Fly by Josh Silver

genre: literary fiction

representation: addiction

This week our contributors are diving into some great titles!

Jordy is reading Because I Killed Him by Edith Birde.

Rah is reading Cursed Bunny by Bora Chung.

Mhairie is reading Newbourne Park by Jennifer Thorne.

Renee is reading Lessons from the Housewives by Evie Psarras.

What book(s) have you picked up to read this week?! If you've read any of these titles, share your thoughts in the comments so we can discuss!

Get it on amazon, kindle, or audible here.

Get it from my favorite women-owned indie bookstore here.

Happy reading!

#BookPickAnnouncement 

Happy Tuesday, fellow Collaborators!

It's rainy and grey outside here in Green Bay, WI which means it's the perfect day to stay indoors and read/partake in hobbies. (I say, as I went to the work office for a few hours this morning, and my children/chaos/noise creators will be home from school in like 2-3 hours. One can dream. lol)

This past week (since last newsletter) I finished up the Heartstopper series, and in preparation of TODAY'S RELEASE of Cemetery Boys: Espiritu, I listened to the audio of Cemetery Boys yesterday. Y'all, I know I keep saying I'm not a fantasy/magical realism/etc. reader, but there's just something about Aiden's writing that enamors me. I loved the way he just writes in gender euphoria, and body dysmorphia without calling it that... like there's scenes that describe trans joy and validation, without the need to overtly name-call what it is. It just is. And I love that. The way he writes is just beautiful, and I'm so excited to get my signed/personalized copy of Cemetery Boys: Espiritu literally any day now. I keep watching out the window waiting on the mail person every day with both excitement and disappointment when I don't get the goods. lol I know I'm not alone in this, either.

I will also be starting Sonido Reyes' book To Our Untamed Core this week, too! (This is our Q4 book club pick, and we'll talk to them for our Behind The Book chat in November.)

I went to the Dollar Tree (seriously, they need to change their name because everything, at minimum is $1.25 and up now) and Five Below unattended twice over the last week, and I probably spent like $25 on journaling stuff? I want to go back and get some acrylic markers to test out, too. I have big plans to spend more dedicated time writing and journaling without the (self) expectation to have it monetized or future book related. If any of you are on board, we could absolutely set up a zoom chat to talk all things books, journaling/journaling prompts/etc. I'm always down to nerd out about these things. Just drop a comment if you're interested. I have a note in my phone dedicated to all the journals i want to create. We'll see how many stick.

I also want you to know, that, while I have been doing this Bookstagram thing since May of 2020, I still have to plead for some of the queer books that are on my radar. Here is just one of the many recent e-mails I've sent out pleading my case for Lamya H's upcoming book 99 Names For God:

I try to be lighthearted and funny... but like.. please, I beg. They responded very nicely, too, by the way. So, don't ever be afraid to shoot your shot to publishers! And have fun, always. There are some times I get into like, creative lows where I have zero energy to do anything content related - which happened to me when Memaw passed in June. I had to take some time to collect myself, but I also (eventually) pushed myself (gently) to do things that I knew would make me happy. So, don't be afraid to gently nudge yourself to start something you know you will enjoy, even if it takes you a little bit longer to find your groove.

Looking ahead, we will have our usual Trans Joy Thursday newsletter with the zoom details for the Beyond The Rainbow chat with Anita Kelly, Friday, September 11th, from 6-7pm CST. Next Sunday, our September Shenanigans, Week 3 newsletter will be focused on Latinx Heritage Month!

Anything in particular you'd like to see moving forward? Both here in your exclusive newsletters, or anywhere else? Always here to listen and brainstorm and see what works (and what doesn't.)

Reminder: If you're interested in a zoom meet-up to discuss books/journaling/etc. drop me a comment! We'll figure the best day/time.

As always, I hope you find joy in your day/week. Thank you for being here. I cannot wait to see where Not A Phase Books takes us.

With all my trans joy,

Sawyer Cole

So we have a tie! Votes came in from both Discord and the Bindery site! We will rerun the poll again for another 24 hours for the tie-breaker.

The bookshop is officially open!

Hello my friends! Today, Twig’s Traveling Tomes is officially out in the world. Can you believe it?

I'm just sitting here settling into the truth that something we’ve talked about, dreamed about, edited, planned for, etc. is no longer ours to hold. We get to gift it to the world today, and that is such a wild and wonderful opportunity.

Today Louella’s traveling bookshop is open to everyone, and for those of you who haven't read it yet, prepare your heart. You're about to have the most whimsical, magical reading experience!

Thank you again to Gryffin, our incredible author. You've created such a gorgeous world and the most lovable found family. This book is meaningful and we're deeply proud to celebrate you today!

So, without further ado, let's dive in to all the Twigs excitement...

Look what you made.

One of my absolute favorite parts of this entire release has been watching Twig’s Traveling Tomes start inspiring your whimsical creations!

You've brought Louella’s little traveling bookshop to life in so many adorable ways.

So before we do anything else, I need you to see some of the magic this community has been making.

Pageheartreads has been working on a special Twigs adornment all week long! She has a special reading jumper and added this embroidery to celebrate the launch. Isn't that sweet?!

Laura Stanley created this INCREDIBLE coloring page for Twigs! Isn't this cute? I can't wait to start working on it! If you'd like to download it to color for yourself, CLICK HERE. Thank you, Laura!

Sara's Bookish Macarons is at it again! She says, "Twig's is a very special book so of course it deserves extra special macarons!"

These couldn't be any sweeter, and I can't believe how well she captured the character faces! Beautiful job, as always, Sara!

Emily created these beautiful granny squares for a work in progress. Wouldn't these make the perfect reading blanket for Twigs this fall?! Such talent, Emily!

Alexa went above and beyond creating this gorgeous art piece! She says "It was so much fun bringing Gryffin's character to life! (With her permission of course.) I loved surprise sending her the original."

This is INCREDIBLE! The details and art style are so whimsical, Alexa!

And finally, I had to share this amazing hat that Stacie stitched for a Twigs cosplay! Isn't it cute? I can't wait to see it all put together.

Apparently, word has gotten out… 👀

It seems news of a certain traveling bookshop has escaped the Tea Room and is making its way across the realm!. We’ve spotted Twig’s Traveling Tomes popping up in some VERY exciting places lately and every single time, I have a "WAIT, THAT’S OUR BOOK?!” moment lol.

Pinned to the notice board this week… 📌

The reviews are ✨glowing✨...

BookRiot

Publishers Weekly

Reactor Magazine

Now, come sit with us. ☕

I thought I'd share my latest check in with Gryffin where we have a cozy chat about Twig’s Traveling Tomes, including what it feels like to finally send this book out into the world and what's coming next!

Grab something cozy and come watch our chat.

Okay Quillers, we have a mission.

For the next seven days, I want Twig’s Traveling Tomes to be absolutely unavoidable. (lol)

If you’ve got your copy, POST IT. If you’re reading it, POST IT. If you see someone else talking about it, SHARE IT. Your favorite quote? Post it. Your reading setup? Post it. Your review? POST. IT. (so aggressive, I know)

Listen, engaging however your comfy is one of the biggest things you can do for a brand new story. Our goal this week is to help more people see that it exists, and you all are incredible at that.

My hops is that someone opens their feed and wonder why this little witchy book is following them everywhere.

So please tag me and Gryffin so we can find your posts, hype you up, and share them too.

And finally, my friends, thank you for loving this little book before it was even yours. For every preorder and every piece of art. Thank you for every post and message in Discord, as well as every bit of excitement you’ve shared with us. You helped make this release feel like something much bigger than a book arriving on a shelf, and it means the world to myself and to Gryffin.

This wouldn't exist without your heart and enthusiasm! Words are not enough, my friend.

Today, Twig’s Traveling Tomes officially belongs to its readers. I am so grateful and overwhelmed. May this story bring you joy and most importantly a sense of belonging.

All my love and admiration,
xx, Meg

Okay, I know it may still be offensively hot outside, but mentally? We have entered fall reading season. 🍂📚

This week on the shelf, we’re leaning ALL the way into it: dark academia, cozy fantasy, backlist books begging to be pulled off your TBR…and a beginner’s guide to one of the most iconic manga series ever written.

Basically, whatever version of fall reader you are, I’ve got you covered. 😏

📱ICYMI

Over on Instagram, we went full fall reading mode.

🍂 Dark Academia Genre Guide: If crisp air, old libraries, morally questionable academics, secret societies, and an unsettling amount of ambition sound like your ideal fall reading aesthetic…start here.

📚 Backlist Books on My Fall TBR: Because despite what Bookstagram sometimes makes us believe, books do NOT expire after release day. These are the older books I’m finally determined to get to this season.

☕ Cozy Reads for Your Fall TBR: Prefer your autumn with warm drinks, magical shops, romance, found family, and significantly less murder? I’ve got you covered there too.

And over on YouTube…

⚔️ Berserk 101: A Beginner’s Guide

If you've always been manga-curious but have absolutely NO idea where to start, this one is especially for you.

I'm breaking down Berserk: what it is, why it's become such an influential dark fantasy series, what you should know before reading, and whether it might be the manga that finally gets you to give the format a try.

And yes, this comes from someone who was once very much a manga beginner herself. 👀

🆕 NEW RELEASES

Here’s what’s hitting shelves this week!

Historical Fiction

• The Chinese Lady

• The Pirate Queen

Fantasy, Romantasy, & Sci-Fi

• Tempest

• The Dark Lord’s Guide to Honeymooning

• Wickhills

• Twig’s Traveling Tomes

• Taipei Story

Thriller & Mystery

• Fury in Death

• We Already Dug the Grave

• Wildwood

• The Wellness Retreat

• Little Red Death

• The Mystic and the Missing Girl

• Pictures of You

Horror

• She’s a Doll

Romance

• Fall Into Place

• Love Felt Like This

What are you picking up this week? 👀

💬 BOOKISH GROUP CHAT

A couple things from around the bookish internet that caught my attention this week:

🎨 “Read Your Color: The Assessment”

Okay, this was WAY too accurate. 😂 The assessment sorts you into a reading color based less on what genres you read and more on what you want a book to make you feel.

Apparently, I’m The Passionate Orange, an Orange reader who leans Red.

Orange readers chase that feeling of wonder: books that completely transport you somewhere else. So basically…yes. They got me. 😂

Especially because my personalized recommendations included Red Rising, The Hunger Games, Dune, Mistborn, The Way of Kings, and A Game of Thrones. At that point, I felt personally observed.

Take the Read Your Color assessment and PLEASE tell me what color you get. I need to know. 👀

✍️ “Pantser or Plotter: How Poe, Christie, King, and Other Greats Outlined Their Mysteries”

Ah, the age-old writing debate: meticulously plan everything…or sit down and see what chaos happens. 😂

This CrimeReads piece looks at how writers including Agatha Christie, Edgar Allan Poe, Raymond Chandler, John Grisham, and Stephen King approached plotting their stories. Christie? Plotter. King? Famously NOT.

Read the full piece via CrimeReads.

🐾 LINK’S CORNER

This week, Link wants to talk about Living with Freddie: How a Dog Taught Me to Be Human by Anna Heyward.

And listen…this one might hurt a little. 🥺

Heyward adopts Freddie, an eight-year-old rescue Italian greyhound, expecting that, with enough love and training, he'll eventually settle into her life.

Freddie has other plans.

He suffers from severe separation anxiety, and instead of simply teaching Freddie how to live in her world, Heyward gradually has to reconsider what caring for another creature actually asks of us. The book blends memoir, animal behavior, and reflections on the incredibly complicated bond between humans and their dogs.

Link’s thoughts: Humans really do love adopting dogs and thinking they’re going to be the ones doing the training. 😂

But underneath the humor, I think Link would approve of this one. Because anyone who has loved a dog knows they quietly rearrange your life, and somehow teach you an awful lot about yourself while they're doing it.

Also, Link would like it formally noted that she has trained me beautifully. 10/10. No notes. 🐾

Read more about Living with Freddie via The New York Times.

Until next week, happy reading and may your fall TBR be completely unreasonable. 🍂📚

— Brittany + Link 🐾

Today is the second release drop of September! We have listed some new releases that are hitting shelves today, and should probably land on your TBR (to be read) list.

Share in the comments which book release you are most excited for!

Here's your weekly roundup of romances hitting shelves this week that have a Rebel Ever After vibe. Reminder that I haven't read any of these titles yet, so this isn't an official endorsement unless noted. If there are other books out today that you think folks will enjoy, feel free to recommend them in the comments. Please click through to read the post on Bindery for my full commentary.

[This isn't an exhaustive list of every romance novel published this week. If you are an author with a progressive romance coming out soon, please email brosandprose@gmail.com to get it on my radar!]

See You Next Tuesday by Kate Stayman-London (Dial) — I’m excited to read this unapologetically political romance about two campaign staffers by the author of One to Watch and Fang Fiction. Kate’s made it clear on social media that neither of the leads are Republicans, which is hilarious and also desperately needed considering the rash of mediocre “love across the aisle” bipartisan slop we’ve seen published in the last decade.

With All My Haunted Heart by Isabel Sterling (Berkley) — Sapphic witchy romance! A witch is hired to haunt a B&B and falls for its proprietor. 

By Any Means by E.M. Caro (indie) — An anti-capitalist reporter is writing about a glass industrialist (god I love historical fiction) when they become embroiled in a serial murder mystery. I’m so here for a gay romantic suspense set in 1905. 

Twig's Traveling Tomes by Gryffin Murphy (Cozy Quill/Bindery Books) — A cozy romantasy about a Book Witch and a rogue who must find a stolen grimoire. Published by Bindery!

Level Up for Love by Lenora Woods (Dell) — Woods is leading the tabletop RPG romance era. Whom among us hasn’t wanted to fuck your game’s DM, especially when that DM is your college nemesis who you hooked up with once?? 

My Own Kind of Person by Tim Manley (Rocky Pond Books) — This YA novel about an aspiring standup comedian discovering his bisexuality sounds really sweet. Great cover, too! 

Espíritu by Aiden Thomas (Feiwel & Friends) — The long-awaited sequel to queer YA best-seller Cemetery Boys.

Upcoming Events:

9/30: Launching Happily Ever Afterlife with Emma R. Alban at the Ripped Bodice BK. Tickets here.

JUST ADDED 10/5: I'm hosting another Romance Read-In to benefit Authors Against Book Bans at Book Club Bar in Manhattan on October 5th at 7:30pm! Tickets just went on sale here. We sold out last time, so don't hesitate. Featured authors include Shelly Jay Shore, Blair Fell, Zakiya N. Jamal, and the one and only Joanna Shupe!

Happy Tuesday, mis internet amigxs!

I can't believe we're only a week away from the start of Latine Heritage Month. Before we get to this week's books, I wanted to take you through some announcements.

FIRST...IRL MEET-UP?!? IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS IN TAMPA ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10th...

Meet me at Al Lopez Park! This Banned Books Week event will be a casual hang of like-minded individuals who want more information on how to get involved (think pamphlets, talking and engaging with those in the your school board district), silent reading, and did I mention I'll be giving away banned books, too? Hope to see you there!

Bring a chair, book, and a friend or 2 and enjoy a beautiful bookish morning in the park with me. Sign up for more event updates and meeting details on Eventbrite!

LATINE BOOK BINGO REFRESH!

Introduced earlier this year, the bingo card has been REFRESHED just in time for Latinx Heritage Month. Intended to be a reading challenge for the whole year, I hope this bingo card will help motivate you with your Latinx Heritage Month as well as year-end Latine reading goals! If you want to get a head start, I made two YouTube recommendation videos (Part 1,Part 2). The new cards will be up on socials this week (as always, KEEP THIS CHISME BETWEEN US FOR NOW!).

SPEAKING OF SNEAK PEEKS...

WE HAVE BIEN LEIDOS MERCH!

Lectores and Libritos members got a sneak peek when my sample arrived last week, but I got to wear it out this weekend and it's SOOOOO cute! I received so many compliments and am excited to share the whole drop with you! If you don't care for the color/cut of the shirt I'm wearing or even prefer a sweatshirt over a t-shirt, DON'T WORRY! There will be a variety of styles and colors available for you to choose!

An very important component of this merch drop is that 10% of proceeds of all shirts sold will be donated to the Immigrant Legal Resource Center. They have been doing amazing work with their creation of Red Cards and other immigrant resources, pivoting rapidly with information and resources as this administration issues immigration executive order after executive order, as well as with representation in immigration court. I will track and tally how much we raise and let you know when I have the final numbers!

PS--As subscribers to Bien Leidos, you'll get early access AND an EXCLUSIVE discount code before the social media launch as soon as the campaign is live (hopefully by the end of the week), so PLEASE KEEP THIS BETWEEN US UNTIL I LAUNCH ON SOCIALS!

FINALLY, VULNERABILITY AND AN ASK...

As I look out at my first Latinx Heritage Month in years, a time I would usually have the most brand partnerships for the year, without a single brand deal, I humbly ask you if what I offer you here, all the research, blog posts, recommendation videos, are worth a anything to you. I do this work, which is deeply, politically unpopular in the US in this moment in history, for free because I LOVE Latinx books. I LOVE being Latina. I LOVE being LOUD ABOUT LATINX BOOKS ONLINE. Just because the world doesn't love us doesn't mean I'm going to be quiet about about how much I love US.

If you love this newsletter as much as I love writing it, love being on Discord, or appreciate my posts on socials, and you've been thinking about supporting me, now is a great time to financially support me. You can upgrade your membership here.

And finally, the reason you're here. There are a beautiful array of books releasing this week that I'm so excited to share with you, starting with one that I missed in the exclusive newsletter for Libritos and Lectores members..

Psychological Horror

Fever Dream by Samantha Schweblin

Young Adult Fantasy

Espiritu by Aiden Thomas (Audiobook)

Creative Nonfiction Collection

Bodega Stories by Amaris Castillo

Translated

Bury Your Dead by Ana Paula Maia and translated by Padma Viswanathan

Children's Book

In Case of Las Moscas by Jackie Morera and illustrated by Mariana Ruiz Johnson

Horror

Daughter of Rot by Rios de la Luz

Memoir

East of the River: A Memoir of Los Angeles Girlhood by Guadalupe Rosales (Audiobook) Memoir

xoxo,

Carmen