Hope You're Having a Chilling Summer!

My summer is off to a chilling and thrilling start.

I’ve been to the movies to see 28 Years Later. Don’t listen to the haters—it’s worth watching if you’re not interested in a repeat of the previous two movies, and you want to see how society might develop in a post-apocalyptic world. Give Jody Comer all the awards already.

I have not been reading as much as I’d like to, but I recently finished The Witch’s Wings and Other Terrifying Tales by Tehlor Kay Mejia. The stories were highly entertaining, and I could easily envision them as actual Are You Afraid of the Dark episodes. Here are a few books I’m looking forward to reading later this year: Feral and Hysterical: Mother Horror’s Ultimate Reading Guide to Dark and Disturbing Fiction by Women by Sadie Hartmann, The Many Misfortunes of Eugenia Wang by Stan Yan, and Girls Who Play Dead by Joelle Wellington.

I also traveled to Philadelphia to attend my first ALA conference. I had the best time! I FINALLY met my editor in person. I got to say hello to horror author pals like Laura Parnum (The Haunting of Bellington Cottage), Wendy Parris (Stage Fright and Field of Screams), Jannie Ho (Pumpkin and Beetle: Two Vampire Cats), and Adam Cesare (Clown in a Cornfield). I learned about so many horror books on the horizon, like Let’s Split Up and Let Me In Your Window. And finally, I fangirled over Tiffany D. Jackson (The Scammer and Blood in the Water), Rita Williams-Garcia (One Crazy Summer), Ellen Oh (Spirit Hunters), and illustrator Sam Kalda (Haunted USA: Spine-tingling stories from all 50 states)!

Did you copy the names of all those books? Don’t worry. I got you. 👈🏽

The incredible team at Playaway hosted me for a signing of It Came from the Trees, where I met friendly faces that I talk to on Instagram. Shout outs to librarians Lauren, Matthew, and Sara for swinging by the booth. They all celebrate books on social media, so give them a follow. If I know you from IG and you were at the signing and I missed you, let me know!

The team also gave me a copy of my book in the Playaway format, which is essentially an mp3 player-like device with the audiobook preloaded on to it. No wi-fi required. It’s so handy, and I hope these become available to the general public because I would fly through more audiobooks if I didn’t have to use my phone to listen to them.

Did I mention that I gave out 100 worms at ALA? 🪱 The worms were a hit. Some folks asked if they could eat them, another friend kept hers in her pocket as a fidget toy, and one friend styled hers as a ring.

Overall, ALA gets 10/10 stars. Would definitely go back. Here’s my 90-second video recap if you want more visuals.

Do you want a worm? 🪱 Preorder Mystery James!

If you couldn’t make it to ALA but still want your very own worm (and other swag), preorder Mystery James Digs Her Own Grave from Copper Dog Books before September 7, 2025. While supplies last. If you need another reason to preorder, Kirkus Reviews said the book is “a fast-paced and deliciously thrilling duology opener.“ Read the full review here.

I’ll also be haunting Copper Dog Books on Friday, October 10, at 7:00 p.m. ET for a store event, so if you want to celebrate cemeteries, ghouls, and the month of October with yours truly, RSVP today. This will help the staff know how many books to have on hand for the event, and it will help me know how many treats to bring. You can also order copies of Wednesday: Book of Outcasts and It Came from the Trees for signing. ::whispers:: Books make great gifts for the holidays. Plan ahead… 

It Came From the Trees in paperback!

Speaking of It Came from the Trees, it will be available in paperback on July 15!

Though I don’t approve of folks traipsing through the woods, especially with cryptids lurking about, my publisher wants me to tell you that you can slip this lightweight paperback edition of Trees into your backpack for summer camping trips. And if you’re eager to read Mystery James Digs Her Own Grave, the paperback edition of Trees includes a preview of my upcoming book!

Something chilling for the road…

This newsletter is one of few spaces where I can stay in contact with YOU, so thanks for sticking around. Let me know how you’re doing in the comments. And before you go, here’s something actually scary.