I feel like singing. Actually, I’ve been walking around my house belting out Pink’s “What about Us” and Demi Lovato’s “Skyscraper,” and any other feely, deep song I think of. In a few days, I’ll be turning in my fifth novel to my lovely editor at Gallery Books—and we’ll be off to the publishing races. She’ll read, send me back a long editorial letter and then I’ll revise for a few more months.
Until then, I will be catching up on all of the things in my life I’ve been putting off while I finished my book. Did you really think authors could write books without the rest of their lives falling apart? It’s impossible. Ha!
Calling All Readers!
First, a gift. The ebook of my third novel, All the Summers in Between, has been marked down by the publishing gods to a “cheaper than a latte” price of $1.99. Really!
If you’ve been wondering if you should try reading one of my books, now is the time. Go on your Kindle and give it a whirl. I loved writing All the Summers in Between since it was about two best friends who reunite after a ten year estrangement—only to discover that they may not be able to push through their differing accounts of one terrible night. There’s a sweet love story, a lot about the ups and downs of friendship and of course, a look at how the standards of beauty and pressures to be a woman have evolved. Plus, the setting is splendid. The Hamptons in the 70s…before the Hamptons were the over the top, fairly obnoxious (still beautiful) place they are today.
These (Literary!) Country Roads
Guys! Can I tell you something so exciting? Country Living did a roundup of its favorite 2026 summer reads and Our Last Vineyard Summer made the cut. Woot! I’m so grateful since the list is rounded out by some of my favorite writers like Jenny Jackson, Taylor Jenkins Reid, Beatriz Williams, Meg Mitchell Moore and Elin Hilderbrand.
Truly, I hope this helps readers finds my heartfelt story about the Whiting sisters and their complex relationship with their feminist-icon mother, Virgie. That family is hiding all sorts of secrets from each other when they get home, and the summer wouldn’t be complete if those secrets didn’t find their way out. What I loved exploring in this book is memory—all three sisters in the book experienced their family and remember its legacy in very different ways.
I’m curious. Do you think you and your siblings would describe your family in the same way?
Meeting New Book Besties at the Newburyport Literary Festival
I was so honored to be asked to speak on a panel about historical fiction along with Juliet Faithful and Emily Franklin. Not only did I get to spend the weekend exploring the postcard worthy town of Newburyport, but I was able to meet up with a bunch of author friends.
Here were some of the highlights: A cocktail party at literary great Andre Dubus III (The House of Sand and Fog) insanely awesome house (see NYT article here). Trying on hats and sipping wine with Meg Mitchell Moore (her awesome book is out in two weeks) at J. McLaughlin. Saving author Jenna Blum from being hit on by some creepy guy and then chatting and posing for pics on the front step of our hotel. A gabby lunch with authors Julie Gerstenblatt (her book is also out soon!) and Jenna Paone. A laugh-filled dinner with four lovely women writers (Christine Pride, Lori Gold, Stephanie Burns and Betty Cayouette). Meeting Catherine Newman (Sandwich and Wreck) even if she never remembers me again. Walking along the harbor front early Sunday morning, then laying on the beach on Plum Island. All in all, a lovely, lovely weekend.
It was hardly the first time I’ve been able to say…Gosh, I love being a writer.
The Little Things
The other night at an intimate group dinner, my friend Georgene said: “Let’s go around the table and talk about something that’s bringing us joy right now.” Isn’t that brilliant? I just gave you three things. Will you share something with me? What is bringing you joy right now? (It can literally be…lilacs blooming in my backyard, which is also bringing me happiness).
Georgene held up her wrist and said, “My WHOOP.” This made us laugh, but it’s so true. Maximizing our stats is so satisfying. We were all feeling so inspired that we did something funny. We drove to the oldest tree in our town with the plan to hug it. It felt so good to wrap our arms around this magnificent oak tree. I don’t know. Maybe we’re all going through something. It was really wonderful.
Happy Tuesday, everyone.
xo
loved this and have been saving the books of yours that i haven't read yet for warmer weather ...it's time!! xx