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ALEX KIESTER

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Ashley and Alex

Ashley and Alex

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Big news!!!📣📣📣 I’m thrilled to announce my next book, A GIRL TO KILL, will be coming out next year from Sourcebooks Landmark!!!!

Y’all, this one almost undid me. It is by far the most ambitious, twistiest (is this a word??), and most twisted book I’ve ever written and there were quite a few times over the past year and a half when I honestly didn’t know if I could pull it off. But thanks to oh so many people, it will one day soon be out in the world!

Those people include, but are not limited to: my incredible agent @sarahelizphair at @greenburger_associates who plucked me from the actual slush pile years ago and has worked tirelessly to help me realize my dream of being a full-time writer ever since.

My new editor @sdrehs and the whole team at @sourcebooks for not only believing in this book but believing in my career at large (a 2-book deal! Eek!!) aaaand for cracking my head open with fresh ideas when I needed it most.

My new tv/film agent Rich Green at @thegothamgroup_ for his unparalleled enthusiasm in adapting this puppy to screen.

All my early readers who gave me feedback and encouragement along the way: @chandlerbakerbooks @aaronhierholzer @ashleyflowers @songbirdtexashillcountry

Finally my husband @ligonkyle who gave me so much support he might as well have carried me 💕

And now please forgive me for the next 12-16 months - I’m sure to post about this an absolutely insufferable amount 💁‍♀️

#bookdeal #bookannouncement #publishersmarketplace #agirltokill

Big news!!!📣📣📣 I’m thrilled to announce my next book, A GIRL TO KILL, will be coming out next year from Sourcebooks Landmark!!!!

Y’all, this one almost undid me. It is by far the most ambitious, twistiest (is this a word??), and most twisted book I’ve ever written and there were quite a few times over the past year and a half when I honestly didn’t know if I could pull it off. But thanks to oh so many people, it will one day soon be out in the world!

Those people include, but are not limited to: my incredible agent @sarahelizphair at @greenburger_associates who plucked me from the actual slush pile years ago and has worked tirelessly to help me realize my dream of being a full-time writer ever since.

My new editor @sdrehs and the whole team at @sourcebooks for not only believing in this book but believing in my career at large (a 2-book deal! Eek!!) aaaand for cracking my head open with fresh ideas when I needed it most.

My new tv/film agent Rich Green at @thegothamgroup_ for his unparalleled enthusiasm in adapting this puppy to screen.

All my early readers who gave me feedback and encouragement along the way: @chandlerbakerbooks @aaronhierholzer @ashleyflowers @songbirdtexashillcountry

Finally my husband @ligonkyle who gave me so much support he might as well have carried me 💕

And now please forgive me for the next 12-16 months - I’m sure to post about this an absolutely insufferable amount 💁‍♀️

#bookdeal #bookannouncement #publishersmarketplace #agirltokill

We rode horses, spent mornings in the hot tub, belted to Whitney Houston and cried while watching Stepmom - oh and we outlined an entire freaking book!!! Book three from @ashleyflowers and me is officially in the works! Nowwww back to reality

We rode horses, spent mornings in the hot tub, belted to Whitney Houston and cried while watching Stepmom - oh and we outlined an entire freaking book!!! Book three from @ashleyflowers and me is officially in the works! Nowwww back to reality

And now for a completely original August photo dump post set to TSwift’s “August” 💁‍♀️

And now for a completely original August photo dump post set to TSwift’s “August” 💁‍♀️

If I’m dreaming, please don’t wake me 🤩

#themissinghalf #newyork #billboard #newbook #newrelease #author

If I’m dreaming, please don’t wake me 🤩

#themissinghalf #newyork #billboard #newbook #newrelease #author

Sisters 👯‍♀️

#themissinghalf #writer #authorsofinstagram #newbook #newrelease #writersofinstagram #sisterlove

Sisters 👯‍♀️

#themissinghalf #writer #authorsofinstagram #newbook #newrelease #writersofinstagram #sisterlove

She’s gorgeous 🤩🤩🤩 #writer #writersofinstagram #authorsofinstagram #writerlife #author #thrillerwriter #themissinghalf #newrelease #newbook #mysterythriller

She’s gorgeous 🤩🤩🤩 #writer #writersofinstagram #authorsofinstagram #writerlife #author #thrillerwriter #themissinghalf #newrelease #newbook #mysterythriller

So grateful to Saltwater by @heykatyhays for keeping me company as hole up in this gorgeous home in the country to edit my next book. A story of family drama and murder set on glittering Capri, Saltwater is tense and atmospheric and so well written, it made me push myself to be a better writer (is there any higher praise?!?) All to say it’s an absolute banger and it’s coming out THIS upcoming Tuesday, 3/25!!!! Get yourself an aperitif and a plate of really good pasta - Saltwater is coming 🍸🍋🔪

#saltwater #saltwaterbook #katyhays #writingretreat #newbook #bookrelease #amwriting #amreading

So grateful to Saltwater by @heykatyhays for keeping me company as hole up in this gorgeous home in the country to edit my next book. A story of family drama and murder set on glittering Capri, Saltwater is tense and atmospheric and so well written, it made me push myself to be a better writer (is there any higher praise?!?) All to say it’s an absolute banger and it’s coming out THIS upcoming Tuesday, 3/25!!!! Get yourself an aperitif and a plate of really good pasta - Saltwater is coming 🍸🍋🔪

#saltwater #saltwaterbook #katyhays #writingretreat #newbook #bookrelease #amwriting #amreading

Winter in sunshiny Mexico… We ate, danced, played pickleball, saw friends and so many churches. I also wrote and started that newsletter I’ve been meaning to start for two years and turned in a draft of my new book (eek!!!). We DID get norovirus at the end and spent the last few days puking, but other than that, I wouldn’t have changed a thing 🌺

Winter in sunshiny Mexico… We ate, danced, played pickleball, saw friends and so many churches. I also wrote and started that newsletter I’ve been meaning to start for two years and turned in a draft of my new book (eek!!!). We DID get norovirus at the end and spent the last few days puking, but other than that, I wouldn’t have changed a thing 🌺

A video in which a girl talks with her hands #writingupdate #amwriting #amediting #writer #writersofinstagram #authorsofinstagram #writerlife #authorlife #writingprocess #thriller #thrillerwriter

A video in which a girl talks with her hands #writingupdate #amwriting #amediting #writer #writersofinstagram #authorsofinstagram #writerlife #authorlife #writingprocess #thriller #thrillerwriter

I can’t stop sweating #blurb #writersofinstagram #writer #themissinghalf #bookblurb

I can’t stop sweating #blurb #writersofinstagram #writer #themissinghalf #bookblurb

Happy Halloween from Jimmy and Dot! We cry in baseball whenever the hell we want ☠️🎃💀#aleagueoftheirown #happyhalloween

Happy Halloween from Jimmy and Dot! We cry in baseball whenever the hell we want ☠️🎃💀#aleagueoftheirown #happyhalloween

Some of my favorites 💕

Some of my favorites 💕

Hate Follow by @erinquinnkongwrites is timely, thought-provoking, and heartwarming and I have the immense pleasure of talking about it with Erin at the launch event next week!!! Fellow Austinites, I hope you’ll join us on Tuesday, October 8th at @bookpeople at 7 pm. The book is juicy juicy and I’m sure the convo will be too🧃#bookevent #austinevents #bookpeople #hatefollow

Hate Follow by @erinquinnkongwrites is timely, thought-provoking, and heartwarming and I have the immense pleasure of talking about it with Erin at the launch event next week!!! Fellow Austinites, I hope you’ll join us on Tuesday, October 8th at @bookpeople at 7 pm. The book is juicy juicy and I’m sure the convo will be too🧃#bookevent #austinevents #bookpeople #hatefollow

If you aren’t crossing all your fingers while you’re writing a first draft, are you even a writer at all???

#amwriting #writingabook #firstdraft #writer #writersofinstagram #fictionwriter #thrillerwriter

If you aren’t crossing all your fingers while you’re writing a first draft, are you even a writer at all???

#amwriting #writingabook #firstdraft #writer #writersofinstagram #fictionwriter #thrillerwriter

The best mail is book mail and this book mail can come to you too on May 6th if you order today!!! #themissinghalf #ashleyflowers #cowriter #allgoodpeoplehere

The best mail is book mail and this book mail can come to you too on May 6th if you order today!!! #themissinghalf #ashleyflowers #cowriter #allgoodpeoplehere

My work-in-progress and I are in our honeymoon phase for sure 💕💕💕#writer #writersofinstagram #writerlife #workinprogress #author #authorlife #authorsofinstagram #amwriting

My work-in-progress and I are in our honeymoon phase for sure 💕💕💕#writer #writersofinstagram #writerlife #workinprogress #author #authorlife #authorsofinstagram #amwriting

Ireland, you did us so good. You gave us beautiful rolling green hills and tremendous views of the ocean. You gave us the most charming pubs and live Irish music - each band with a fiddle player better than the last - and so many potatoes we didn’t know what to do with them all. You gave us two weeks of untouched nature where we could unplug and celebrate 10 years of marriage surrounded by your beauty. And while I may have caught a bug on the plane ride home and am now sitting here with swollen glands and a sore throat, I still feel rejuvenated and excited to get back to work - and if that’s not the sign of a good vacation, I don’t know what it is. Thank you for everything, Ireland. Till we meet again 💚💚💚

Ireland, you did us so good. You gave us beautiful rolling green hills and tremendous views of the ocean. You gave us the most charming pubs and live Irish music - each band with a fiddle player better than the last - and so many potatoes we didn’t know what to do with them all. You gave us two weeks of untouched nature where we could unplug and celebrate 10 years of marriage surrounded by your beauty. And while I may have caught a bug on the plane ride home and am now sitting here with swollen glands and a sore throat, I still feel rejuvenated and excited to get back to work - and if that’s not the sign of a good vacation, I don’t know what it is. Thank you for everything, Ireland. Till we meet again 💚💚💚

Writing 101: Never write when you’re hungry #writer #writersofinstagram #author #authorlife #authorsofinstagram #amwriting #writing #writerlife #writingcomedy

Writing 101: Never write when you’re hungry #writer #writersofinstagram #author #authorlife #authorsofinstagram #amwriting #writing #writerlife #writingcomedy

I’m just a girl standing in front of a stranger asking them not to look too closely at my psyche #mysterywriters #writer #writingcomedy #author #authorsofinstagram #writerlife #writingabook #writersofinstagram #authorlife #thrillerwriter #mysterywriters

I’m just a girl standing in front of a stranger asking them not to look too closely at my psyche #mysterywriters #writer #writingcomedy #author #authorsofinstagram #writerlife #writingabook #writersofinstagram #authorlife #thrillerwriter #mysterywriters

Who doesn’t like a little violence with their mystery/thriller?? #writer #thrillerwriter #writing #writersofinstagram #author #authorsofinstagram #authorlife #writerlife #mysterybooks #thrillerbooks

Who doesn’t like a little violence with their mystery/thriller?? #writer #thrillerwriter #writing #writersofinstagram #author #authorsofinstagram #authorlife #writerlife #mysterybooks #thrillerbooks

How dare you, Tom #writer #writersofinstagram #writerlife #authorlife #authorsofinstagram #amwriting #newbookenergy #writingcommunity #writingcomedy

How dare you, Tom #writer #writersofinstagram #writerlife #authorlife #authorsofinstagram #amwriting #newbookenergy #writingcommunity #writingcomedy

The absolute horror of having people read your work😬 #writer #writing #writerlife #writersofinstagram #writingcommunity #author #authorlife #authorsofinstagram #writingcomedy #amwriting

The absolute horror of having people read your work😬 #writer #writing #writerlife #writersofinstagram #writingcommunity #author #authorlife #authorsofinstagram #writingcomedy #amwriting

I can WRITE books, but god forbid anybody ask me to talk about them #writer #writersofinstagram #writingcommunity #writerlife #writerproblems #author #authorlife #authorsofinstagram #writingcomedy

I can WRITE books, but god forbid anybody ask me to talk about them #writer #writersofinstagram #writingcommunity #writerlife #writerproblems #author #authorlife #authorsofinstagram #writingcomedy

I feel personally attacked #writer #writersofinstagram #author #authorlife #writerlife #amwriting #writingabook #writing #authorsofinstagram

I feel personally attacked #writer #writersofinstagram #author #authorlife #writerlife #amwriting #writingabook #writing #authorsofinstagram

Look, my priorities are what they are and they are books 🤓 #writer #writersofinstagram #writerlife #reader #readerlife #bookstagram #amreading #author #authorlife

Look, my priorities are what they are and they are books 🤓 #writer #writersofinstagram #writerlife #reader #readerlife #bookstagram #amreading #author #authorlife

You come after my favorite books, I come after you #bookstagram #writer #writersofinstagram #favoritebooks #amreading #reader #readerlife #writerlife #author #authorlife

You come after my favorite books, I come after you #bookstagram #writer #writersofinstagram #favoritebooks #amreading #reader #readerlife #writerlife #author #authorlife

I don’t mean to brag, but sometimes I can be a real genius at filling in the plot holes I made myself🤓 #writer #writerlife #writersofinstagram #bookstagram #author #authorlife #amwriting #writingabook #writingcomedy

I don’t mean to brag, but sometimes I can be a real genius at filling in the plot holes I made myself🤓 #writer #writerlife #writersofinstagram #bookstagram #author #authorlife #amwriting #writingabook #writingcomedy

Between my way of interacting with the world and my characters’ way is an ocean 🌊

#writer #writersofinstagram #writerlife #author #authorlife #authorsofinstagram #writinghumor #writingabook #amwriting

Between my way of interacting with the world and my characters’ way is an ocean 🌊

#writer #writersofinstagram #writerlife #author #authorlife #authorsofinstagram #writinghumor #writingabook #amwriting

And it happens ALL THE TIME 😵�‍💫

#writer #amwriting #writersofinstagram #author #authorlife #writerlife #writerproblems #writingabook #writingabookishard

And it happens ALL THE TIME 😵‍💫

#writer #amwriting #writersofinstagram #author #authorlife #writerlife #writerproblems #writingabook #writingabookishard

My tbr just got a whole lot longer

#amreading #newbooks #writer #writerlife #author #bookworm #bookish #booklover #reader #readersofinstagram #writersofinstagram

My tbr just got a whole lot longer

#amreading #newbooks #writer #writerlife #author #bookworm #bookish #booklover #reader #readersofinstagram #writersofinstagram

I read so many phenomenal books this past year, but here are some of my 2023 all-time faves!

Case Histories by Kate Atkinson - A vast saga of intertwining stories, this one has the mystery of a whodunit mixed with the emotional nuance of literary fiction, all told through a sly and witty narrative voice.

Cutting Teeth by Chandler Baker - Chock-full of commentary on feminism, marriage, and motherhood, this is a delightfully bizarre exploration of the old saying: kids can really suck you dry. Bonus points for being written by my dear friend👯‍♀️

Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll - Despite being set in the 70s and being about the victims of America’s first celebrity serial killer, this novel is so relatable. It’s infuriating in all the right ways.

I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai - Beautifully written, this one scratches all my itches: a campus setting, deft social commentary, and a surprise twist ending.

Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister (not pictured bc I listened to the audiobook!) - Fast-paced and twisty, this one is based on the most fun premise: Can you stop a murder after it’s already happened? Spoiler: there’s time travel.

What were your 2023 stand-outs??

I read so many phenomenal books this past year, but here are some of my 2023 all-time faves!

Case Histories by Kate Atkinson - A vast saga of intertwining stories, this one has the mystery of a whodunit mixed with the emotional nuance of literary fiction, all told through a sly and witty narrative voice.

Cutting Teeth by Chandler Baker - Chock-full of commentary on feminism, marriage, and motherhood, this is a delightfully bizarre exploration of the old saying: kids can really suck you dry. Bonus points for being written by my dear friend👯‍♀️

Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll - Despite being set in the 70s and being about the victims of America’s first celebrity serial killer, this novel is so relatable. It’s infuriating in all the right ways.

I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai - Beautifully written, this one scratches all my itches: a campus setting, deft social commentary, and a surprise twist ending.

Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister (not pictured bc I listened to the audiobook!) - Fast-paced and twisty, this one is based on the most fun premise: Can you stop a murder after it’s already happened? Spoiler: there’s time travel.

What were your 2023 stand-outs??

Every👏single👏time👏

#writer #writerproblems #writerlife #author #authorlife #authorsofinstagram #amwriting #writingcomedy #writingabook

Every👏single👏time👏

#writer #writerproblems #writerlife #author #authorlife #authorsofinstagram #amwriting #writingcomedy #writingabook

Never read my books ever, please and thank you
#bookstagram #writer #writerlife #writerproblems #author #authorsofinstagram #writersofinstagram #authorlife #writinghumor #amwriting

Never read my books ever, please and thank you
#bookstagram #writer #writerlife #writerproblems #author #authorsofinstagram #writersofinstagram #authorlife #writinghumor #amwriting

To be clear, if I were ever the suspect, I’d def be innocent 😇#writer #thrillerwriter #thrillerbooks #author #authorsofinstagram #writersofinstagram #writerlife #writing #amwriting #writingabook

To be clear, if I were ever the suspect, I’d def be innocent 😇#writer #thrillerwriter #thrillerbooks #author #authorsofinstagram #writersofinstagram #writerlife #writing #amwriting #writingabook

How can 3 words be harder than 90,000??? #writing #writer #amwriting #writersofinstagram #author #authorlife #authorsofinstagram #writinghumor #booktitles #writerlife #writingabook

How can 3 words be harder than 90,000??? #writing #writer #amwriting #writersofinstagram #author #authorlife #authorsofinstagram #writinghumor #booktitles #writerlife #writingabook

Honestly tho, sometimes my first drafts are pure garbage #writer #writing #amwriting #writinghumor #author #authorlife #authorsofinstagram #writersofinstagram #writerlife

Honestly tho, sometimes my first drafts are pure garbage #writer #writing #amwriting #writinghumor #author #authorlife #authorsofinstagram #writersofinstagram #writerlife

If there’s one thing I’m sure about regarding the audiobook of my print debut, it’s that actors Pete Cross and @britpressley absolutely knocked their narrations of Ben and June out of the park!!! If you haven’t experienced the magic they bring to this story, now is the perfect time to check it out because this lil bb is 50% off (now through December 1st) at Audible! And yes, you’re reading the banner right: this is a site wide sale, so In Her Skin and All Good People Here are 50% off too!🙌🙌🙌

#audible #audiblebooks #audiblesale #audiobook #booksale #bookrecommendations #bookstagram

If there’s one thing I’m sure about regarding the audiobook of my print debut, it’s that actors Pete Cross and @britpressley absolutely knocked their narrations of Ben and June out of the park!!! If you haven’t experienced the magic they bring to this story, now is the perfect time to check it out because this lil bb is 50% off (now through December 1st) at Audible! And yes, you’re reading the banner right: this is a site wide sale, so In Her Skin and All Good People Here are 50% off too!🙌🙌🙌

#audible #audiblebooks #audiblesale #audiobook #booksale #bookrecommendations #bookstagram

Those HS drill team high kicks finally coming in handy…👯‍♀️ #writer #writing #writingabook #author #authorsofinstagram #writersofinstagram #writerlife #amwriting #writinglife

Those HS drill team high kicks finally coming in handy…👯‍♀️ #writer #writing #writingabook #author #authorsofinstagram #writersofinstagram #writerlife #amwriting #writinglife

As has been proven to me by every event I've ever been to, the Texas Book Festival this past weekend is further evidence of how abysmal I am at taking photos (in the sense that I don't take any at all), so big thanks to everyone who took pictures with me in them! Which is all to say: another @texasbookfest is in the books and I have a handful of other people's pics to prove it!!!

1. Author party with friends, @chandlerbakerbooks and @mattp1225 ❤️

2. Paneling with @cadwellturnbull and @yumewrites. These two were absolute stars and it was an honor to chat with them about their work. If you are a speculative fiction fan, do yourself a favor and add their books to your tbr IMMEDIATELY.

3. Meeting some of my literary faves and trying not to gush too hard.

4. A very VERY faraway shot of Ann Patchett because I was in the last group of ten to get through the doors to see her and had to sit in the nosebleed section. Did I care? NO. Did I tear up when she walked on stage? MAYBE.

5. Decompression brunch with @ligonkyle who understands that after a long weekend, all I want is food and lots of it.

Huge thanks to the entire team at the fest who put on such a spectacular weekend! I'm beyond grateful to have this extraordinary event in my city every year and appreciate all the work y'all do to make it such a good time.

As has been proven to me by every event I've ever been to, the Texas Book Festival this past weekend is further evidence of how abysmal I am at taking photos (in the sense that I don't take any at all), so big thanks to everyone who took pictures with me in them! Which is all to say: another @texasbookfest is in the books and I have a handful of other people's pics to prove it!!!

1. Author party with friends, @chandlerbakerbooks and @mattp1225 ❤️

2. Paneling with @cadwellturnbull and @yumewrites. These two were absolute stars and it was an honor to chat with them about their work. If you are a speculative fiction fan, do yourself a favor and add their books to your tbr IMMEDIATELY.

3. Meeting some of my literary faves and trying not to gush too hard.

4. A very VERY faraway shot of Ann Patchett because I was in the last group of ten to get through the doors to see her and had to sit in the nosebleed section. Did I care? NO. Did I tear up when she walked on stage? MAYBE.

5. Decompression brunch with @ligonkyle who understands that after a long weekend, all I want is food and lots of it.

Huge thanks to the entire team at the fest who put on such a spectacular weekend! I'm beyond grateful to have this extraordinary event in my city every year and appreciate all the work y'all do to make it such a good time.

Kind of my constant state tbh🤪

#writer #writersofinstagram #writerlife #author #authorlife #overwhelmed #amwriting #writerproblems #writingcommunity

Kind of my constant state tbh🤪

#writer #writersofinstagram #writerlife #author #authorlife #overwhelmed #amwriting #writerproblems #writingcommunity

If you know me, you probably know I’m a little bit obsessed with the @texasbookfest. Every November, the fest brings in authors of all genres from all across the country and corrals them together for the weekend to talk about books and writing. There are food trucks and books to buy and authors to meet and in general, it is a two-day celebration of all things books, so honestly, how could I not be obsessed?!

This upcoming festival is particularly special to me because it will be my first time moderating a panel with the immensely talented authors of The Deep Sky and We Are the Crisis, Yume Kitasei and Cadwell Turnbull.

Our panel is titled The Space Between: Cerebral Speculative Fiction Addressing Real-World Problems, so from now until then, I will be spending all my time trying to get significantly smarter. If you’d like to see me fumble through a discussion about speculative fiction in front of these two, please join us this Sunday, November 12th at 11:15 am in the capitol building, extension room E2.030! All the weekend's events are free, so all you have to do is show up.

#texasbookfestival #wearethecrisis #thedeepsky #bookevent #writer #author #authorlife #writerlife

If you know me, you probably know I’m a little bit obsessed with the @texasbookfest. Every November, the fest brings in authors of all genres from all across the country and corrals them together for the weekend to talk about books and writing. There are food trucks and books to buy and authors to meet and in general, it is a two-day celebration of all things books, so honestly, how could I not be obsessed?!

This upcoming festival is particularly special to me because it will be my first time moderating a panel with the immensely talented authors of The Deep Sky and We Are the Crisis, Yume Kitasei and Cadwell Turnbull.

Our panel is titled The Space Between: Cerebral Speculative Fiction Addressing Real-World Problems, so from now until then, I will be spending all my time trying to get significantly smarter. If you’d like to see me fumble through a discussion about speculative fiction in front of these two, please join us this Sunday, November 12th at 11:15 am in the capitol building, extension room E2.030! All the weekend's events are free, so all you have to do is show up.

#texasbookfestival #wearethecrisis #thedeepsky #bookevent #writer #author #authorlife #writerlife

Not that I pretended so much as was brainwashed…

#nowthatwedonttalk #writer #reader #writersofinstagram #writingcommunity #writerlife #authorlife #bookstagram

Not that I pretended so much as was brainwashed…

#nowthatwedonttalk #writer #reader #writersofinstagram #writingcommunity #writerlife #authorlife #bookstagram

The final ATX Write-In of the year is finally here! Austin writers, if you just started NaNoWriMo or you're looking to squeeze some more words into your work-in-progress before the end of the year or if you just want to make some new writerly friends (and who doesn't want to make new writerly friends?!), you should join us next Wednesday, November 8th! Link to register in my bio!

For those of you with questions about what the heck this event is, here are the details:

We meet at @greathillscc at 9:30 am, put on name tags, submit a lunch order, and mingle. There's a coffee and tea station that feels very fancy and always gets me a little too caffeinated for my own good. We set up our laptops and then Hannah from @hembreebelllaw kicks off the event. She and @paulachenxo are absolute superstars at making the day fun and smooth and I thank god they do all the work so that I don't mess it up with my total lack of event-planning skills. Then, my co-host @chandlerbakerbooks and I talk about a theme for 10 minutes. Last time's was "Cultivating a Creative Life."

Now, we write!!! For the next two-ish hours, we work through a writing-sprint schedule, where Paula sets a timer and we write until it goes off. Before these events, I had never tried this, but let me tell you, there is something about working alongside other people and knowing there's a hard cutoff that is wildly motivating in getting words on the page!

Around noon, lunch arrives and the food is always good. We go around and introduce ourselves and our works in progress, which transitions into a wider conversation where people ask questions about everything from pen names and query letters to outlining. People are at all stages of the writing/publishing process and working in different mediums. We have memoirists and fantasy writers, people who are just dipping their toes into writing and people who have book deals.

Hope to see you there! Pro tip: bring a sweater.

#atxwritein #atxevents #writersofinstagram #writer #writerfriends #writersofinstagram #writing #authorsofinstagram #authorlife #writerlife

The final ATX Write-In of the year is finally here! Austin writers, if you just started NaNoWriMo or you're looking to squeeze some more words into your work-in-progress before the end of the year or if you just want to make some new writerly friends (and who doesn't want to make new writerly friends?!), you should join us next Wednesday, November 8th! Link to register in my bio!

For those of you with questions about what the heck this event is, here are the details:

We meet at @greathillscc at 9:30 am, put on name tags, submit a lunch order, and mingle. There's a coffee and tea station that feels very fancy and always gets me a little too caffeinated for my own good. We set up our laptops and then Hannah from @hembreebelllaw kicks off the event. She and @paulachenxo are absolute superstars at making the day fun and smooth and I thank god they do all the work so that I don't mess it up with my total lack of event-planning skills. Then, my co-host @chandlerbakerbooks and I talk about a theme for 10 minutes. Last time's was "Cultivating a Creative Life."

Now, we write!!! For the next two-ish hours, we work through a writing-sprint schedule, where Paula sets a timer and we write until it goes off. Before these events, I had never tried this, but let me tell you, there is something about working alongside other people and knowing there's a hard cutoff that is wildly motivating in getting words on the page!

Around noon, lunch arrives and the food is always good. We go around and introduce ourselves and our works in progress, which transitions into a wider conversation where people ask questions about everything from pen names and query letters to outlining. People are at all stages of the writing/publishing process and working in different mediums. We have memoirists and fantasy writers, people who are just dipping their toes into writing and people who have book deals.

Hope to see you there! Pro tip: bring a sweater.

#atxwritein #atxevents #writersofinstagram #writer #writerfriends #writersofinstagram #writing #authorsofinstagram #authorlife #writerlife

Happy Halloween from your creepy thriller-writing friend 💀#thrillerwriter #bookstagram #writer #writersofinstagram #author #authorlife #halloween #mysterywriter

Happy Halloween from your creepy thriller-writing friend 💀#thrillerwriter #bookstagram #writer #writersofinstagram #author #authorlife #halloween #mysterywriter

Spooky reading recs for the spooky reading szn 📚Which of these have you read???

#thrillerbooksaddict #thrillerreader #thrillerjunkie #thrillerwriter #womenauthors #murdermystery #bookrecs #bookstagram #amreading

Spooky reading recs for the spooky reading szn 📚Which of these have you read???

#thrillerbooksaddict #thrillerreader #thrillerjunkie #thrillerwriter #womenauthors #murdermystery #bookrecs #bookstagram #amreading

Kyle, the other day, when I started singing "I Want to Dance with Somebody" by Whitney Houston, you jumped right in started humming backup. When we were done, you said, "No matter where you are in the world, I will always harmonize with you," and if that's not a portrait of a pretty great marriage, I don't know what is. Happy 10 years - 10 YEARS! - Can you believe it??

Kyle, the other day, when I started singing "I Want to Dance with Somebody" by Whitney Houston, you jumped right in started humming backup. When we were done, you said, "No matter where you are in the world, I will always harmonize with you," and if that's not a portrait of a pretty great marriage, I don't know what is. Happy 10 years - 10 YEARS! - Can you believe it??

I’ve recently been trying to up my bookstagram game and now the question remains: Will I turn into the preeminent reading influencer of my dreams or will I fall flat on my face under the ever-watchful eye of the internet, shatter what’s left of my brain’s ability to focus, and wreak chaos on my own home? Stay tuned to find out!

I’ve recently been trying to up my bookstagram game and now the question remains: Will I turn into the preeminent reading influencer of my dreams or will I fall flat on my face under the ever-watchful eye of the internet, shatter what’s left of my brain’s ability to focus, and wreak chaos on my own home? Stay tuned to find out!

Man did we have fun writing that ending 😬

#allgoodpeoplehere #writer #writersofinstagram #thriller #thrillerwriter #bookstagram #thrillerbook #author #authorlife

Man did we have fun writing that ending 😬

#allgoodpeoplehere #writer #writersofinstagram #thriller #thrillerwriter #bookstagram #thrillerbook #author #authorlife

I thought I'd start a little series I'm calling "Favorite Lines Friday" where I celebrate some of my favorite-ever lines of writing - the kind of lines that move me, stick in my brain, and generally make me jealous of whoever wrote it. And if you think I will keep this up every Friday, you really don’t know me at all.

To start, here's the first line of Dark Places written by one of my all-time favorite authors, @thegillianflynn :

"I have a meanness inside me, real as an organ. Slit me at my belly and it might slide out, meaty and dark, drop on the floor so you could stomp on it."

This line makes me nearly cackle with delight every time I read it - it's so raw and dark and visceral and my god, does it me want to hijack Gillian Flynn’s brain for a day (or three).

What are some of your favorite lines in books? Or music? Or movies!

#favoritelinesfriday #writer #amwriting #writinginspiration #author #writerlife #writersofinstagram #thrillerwriter #thrillerreader

I thought I'd start a little series I'm calling "Favorite Lines Friday" where I celebrate some of my favorite-ever lines of writing - the kind of lines that move me, stick in my brain, and generally make me jealous of whoever wrote it. And if you think I will keep this up every Friday, you really don’t know me at all.

To start, here's the first line of Dark Places written by one of my all-time favorite authors, @thegillianflynn :

"I have a meanness inside me, real as an organ. Slit me at my belly and it might slide out, meaty and dark, drop on the floor so you could stomp on it."

This line makes me nearly cackle with delight every time I read it - it's so raw and dark and visceral and my god, does it me want to hijack Gillian Flynn’s brain for a day (or three).

What are some of your favorite lines in books? Or music? Or movies!

#favoritelinesfriday #writer #amwriting #writinginspiration #author #writerlife #writersofinstagram #thrillerwriter #thrillerreader

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