Since February I have been querying my young adult murder mystery manuscript called The Final Chapter. It's set in a fictional small-town near Philly and takes place primarily at an indie bookstore during Halloween. The main character, Emmie, and her friends team up to solve who killed a bookstore patron, Bette. Emmie was the last … Continue reading Taking a Step Back
Tag: Sapphic
Venturing into New Territory
The first book I ever wrote was an adult rom-com but after trying to query it, I ultimately decided to shelf the manuscript. I wasn't getting any bites what-so-ever and the more I was learning about querying and publishing, the more I realized this book did not follow the rules, for example, my main character … Continue reading Venturing into New Territory
Writing in Different Genres
I've been a guest on various podcasts and have been getting asked the same question a lot: You write in a lot of different genres. How did that happen and how does it work? It's a great question and might reflect my reading tastes. I read all kinds of books, therefore it makes me interested … Continue reading Writing in Different Genres
Reflections on 2024
This year has gone by like a blink of an eye, but I have to say, despite having a lukewarm second book launch, my writer mental health was much better this year than 2023. In 2023, my debut book, Does Love Always Win?, released and for some reason I decided to set up my own … Continue reading Reflections on 2024
One-Year Book Birthday
It's now been over a year since my young adult sapphic romance Does Love Always Win? has been out in the world and what a journey its been. Just like querying my book, publication has been a roller coaster of emotions, but overall, it's been a really fun and rewarding experience. One of my favorite … Continue reading One-Year Book Birthday
Welcoming a New Year
Last year I decided not to have any resolutions because I knew 2023 was going to be more exhausting and difficult than I ever had experienced because my first child was born on December 23, 2022. I didn't want to set myself up for failure having no idea what to expect. And I wasn't wrong. … Continue reading Welcoming a New Year
A Change in Perspective
I had everything I've dreamed of. A loving husband, the baby we were trying to conceive for over four years, a fulfilling 9-5 day job, and a published book. I should have been deliriously happy, right? Wrong. I was depressed and I wasn't telling anyone. I was putting on a happy face saying everything was … Continue reading A Change in Perspective
Writing Conundrums: Tried-and-True or New and Challenging?
It's so hard to start a new project, especially after finishing two books. That's the place I'm at right now. My young adult sapphic novel, Does Love Always Win?, has been published for three and a half months, and my young adult superhero book, Superficial, comes out in a year. So now what? What kind … Continue reading Writing Conundrums: Tried-and-True or New and Challenging?
Impending Publication Thoughts
The publication date is looming for my YA LGBTQ+ contemporary romance novel Does Love Always Win? Actually, my pre-order campaign begins in two days as of this posting on April 3rd! My cover and blurb have been revealed and the rest of the ARCs (Advanced Reader Copies) are being sent out shortly. Reviews are even … Continue reading Impending Publication Thoughts
Music: A Way to the Soul
I come from a musical family, and am a musician myself, so it only made sense to incorporate music into my LGBTQ+ fiction young adult debut book, DOES LOVE ALWAYS WIN? My main character, Sam “Shorty” Daniels plays the trumpet (I play the French horn and piano), so I was able to pull from some … Continue reading Music: A Way to the Soul
Diane Billas 