My debut middle grade novel MIDSUMMER'S MAYHEM releases four weeks from today on June 11, 2019! I'm so grateful for your support of me and my book, and I'm thrilled to celebrate preorders by giving away some fun swag! Preorder You can preorder MIDSUMMER'S MAYHEM by 11:59 p.m. EST … [Read more...]
Indies Introduce!
I'm overjoyed to announce that MIDSUMMER'S MAYHEM is an American Booksellers Association Summer/Fall 2019 Indies Introduce selection! Twice a year, a committee of booksellers across the country read hundreds of titles and choose 10 debut books as Indies Introduce titles. I had a thrilling moment a … [Read more...]
Another Picture Book Announcement!!
I'm overjoyed to announce that Abrams will publish my picture book about the love between mothers and daughters how it endures across distance and time. WHERE THREE OCEANS MEET will be illustrated by the enormously talented Archana Sreenivasan and will publish in 2022! You can read the announcement … [Read more...]
A Star from Kirkus!!
I'm thrilled that MIDSUMMER'S MAYHEM has earned a STAR from Kirkus Reviews! They say "the realistic characters and complex family dynamics augment the tightly knit plot, and the mouthwatering descriptions of food are guaranteed to make readers hungry." Read the full review here. … [Read more...]
A Shakespearean Giveaway!
It's April 23, the day the world celebrates the birth of William Shakespeare! I fell in love with Shakespeare's words as a kid, and each year I discover more to love about his poetry and plays. MIDSUMMER'S MAYHEM was inspired by one of his best-known and beloved comedies, A Midsummer Night's Dream. … [Read more...]
Being a Book Godmother, a Cover Reveal, and a Giveaway!
One of the best things about being a writer is making writer friends and cheering on their beautiful books. But when one of your dear critique partners publishes her first book, it is truly special to see a story you have known from infancy go out into the world. It feels like being a "book … [Read more...]
My Interview on Wakefield Community Access TV!
On March 27, 2019 I was interviewed on Wakefield Community Access TV by Colleen Getty of The Room To Write. We had a wonderful discussion about writing life, my inspiration for MIDSUMMER'S MAYHEM, and the purpose of a pitch! Watch the whole interview here! … [Read more...]
Kweli 2019!
On April 5-6, 2019 I attended my second Kweli: The Color of Children's Literature Conference. From incredible workshops to superb keynotes, fascinating panel discussions, and plenty of time to connect with fellow creators, the conference was nourishing and inspiring in the best possible way. … [Read more...]
KidLitConProvidence2019 and My First Official Author Panel!
On March 22-23, 2019 I travelled to Providence to KidLitCon 2019, a conference where writers, teachers, librarians, book bloggers, and bookstagrammers met to share ideas about writing, reading, and getting books to kids! It was an incredible event! I participated in my first official panel as an … [Read more...]
A Birthday Giveaway!
This year, to celebrate my March 19 birthday, I want to share some of my favorite MIDSUMMER'S MAYHEM-related things. This pile of goodies combines baking, Shakespeare, and a tiny bit of magic. If you win, you will get: A signed ARC of MIDSUMMER'S MAYHEM! MIDSUMMER'S MAYHEM … [Read more...]
MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM in TEEN VOGUE!!
I'm thrilled and honored to have MIDSUMMER'S MAYHEM featured in TEEN VOGUE's "11 Books with South Asian Characters You Should Read in 2019!" My book is keeping some pretty incredible company! Read the full article here. … [Read more...]
A Doctor, A Lawyer, and a College Professor…walk into a MG Debut Group…
Check out this fun interview at MGBookVillage.com with my friends and fellow debuts, Josh Levy and Chris Baron! Read our interview here. … [Read more...]
NY SCBWI 2019!
I made an amazing trip to NYC for the NY SCBWI 2019 conference! I got to visit two of my publishers, do my very first book signing of ARCs of MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM, celebrate the announcement of I’LL GO AND COME BACK, meet up with old friends and new, and hobnob with stars like Melissa Stewart, Meg … [Read more...]
A New Picture Book Announcement!
I'm utterly overjoyed that a picture book of my heart, I'LL GO AND COME BACK, will be illustrated by Sara Palacios and published by Candlewick Press! The Publisher's Weekly announcement is below; you can also find the announcement here. … [Read more...]
Book Riot’s List of Must Read 2019 Debuts includes MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM!
Book Riot chose MIDSUMMER'S MAYHEM as one of their "50 Must-Read Books by Debut Authors for January-June 2019!" Click here to read the article! … [Read more...]
The Fruits of Pitch Wars
There's some Pitch Wars excitement in the air this week! For those who aren't familiar with it, Pitch Wars is a mentoring program where more experienced authors, editors, or industry interns mentor unagented writers. Mentors, either solo or in pairs, read queries, request full manuscripts, choose … [Read more...]
My new interview on a book blog!
I was interviewed by Jessica, who blogs about books. Click here to read more about me, MIDSUMMER'S MAYHEM, my writing advice, my favorite movie, and the middle grade books I'm dying to read in 2019! … [Read more...]
I’ve joined the Soaring 20’s!
As if 2019 weren't exciting enough, I'm also planning ahead for 2020! I've joined a marvelous picture book debut group, the Soaring 20s! We are a diverse group of authors and illustrators with debuts coming in 2020! Stay tuned for exciting news about my book, SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS (Lee & Low … [Read more...]
MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM on the Books Between Podcast!
I was utterly thrilled to find that MIDSUMMER'S MAYHEM was selected as a 2019 anticipated debut on the Books Between Podcast! I'm honored to be featured along with so many incredible creators. Check it out, but be warned, your TBR pile will grow! … [Read more...]
Savor
As we near the end of the year, many of us take time reflect on this year and set goals for the next. 2018 has been a banner year for my writing career. I started working with my amazing agent, Brent Taylor, sold my debut middle grade novel, MIDSUMMER'S MAYHEM, sold a picture book, SEVEN GOLDEN … [Read more...]