In this edition of Allie’s Coffee Break, we’ve got update about sprayed edges, audiobooks, early ARCs of Not on the Same Page and more! (Make sure you jump to the “updates” section).
And I’m also going to admit…I’m scared.
But first…
Today is the last day of school, and not a moment too soon. Everyone was feeling it this year. I don’t know if that’s because we went a week after Memorial Day, which we don’t usually do, or because it’s been so hot, or what, but we’re all more than ready to say goodbye to this year.
Personally, I’m proud of this year. I was super sick in the fall, but I coached a kid to State for Speech, wrote two incredible stories (wait…three if you count Holly Jolly Romance, which I definitely should), and am getting ready for my (terrifying) trad debut in just a few days, all while parenting two kids. This year was huge for me in both wonderful and awful ways, but I did it. I made it. And I can’t wait for whatever summer has in store.
I guess this coffee break wasn’t really about coffee…but I’ve always said coffee is a vibe, not a beverage.
So hey, releasing a book is terrifying. Obviously I knew this. I’ve released quite a few on my own. And adding in the traditional publishing pressure on top of that (most of it is of my own creation—Page & Vine has been wonderful) makes it even more nerve-racking.
But this release is terrifying in a totally different way.
I’m the type of person who likes to look forward. Maybe it’s because I’m a teacher, so I’m used to closing the book on something and moving on, but even as a kid, I was like this. Graduated high school and never went back. Same for college. I mean, sure, I visited friends or did a couple of events or whatever, but you couldn’t pay me to go back to those times in my life. Even now that my kids are out of the baby stage, I look at pictures of them and aww, but I don’t want that time back. I lived it, and that’s enough.
It’s easier that way. Less sad. I like to think it’s me living in the present—which is a good thing, right?—but after a lot of therapy and introspection, it’s likely a bit of that but also a bit of avoiding strong feelings that make me uncomfortable. (Side note: if you can relate to this, you might want to check out Trina’s story in Not on the Same Page. Because same, girl.)
When I finished writing Not a Strong Enough Word, I felt lighter. More free. As if a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. It’s not that I never talked about my burnout or mental health or miscarriage. I talked about those things all the time. But I avoided thinking about them too much lest I be dragged down even further. So writing about these things was cathartic in ways I didn’t expect. And it made for a damn good story.
I released that book as an indie title, went on my own tour and talked all about it, and people loved it. This was maybe my highest-rated book ever with glowing reviews. It struck a chord with people, which made me feel so seen and so good and so wonderful. And just as I was getting ready to close the book on my past experiences that I started this author gig having zero intention of sharing with anyone but did anyway, so to speak, Page & Vine came in with an offer. And this whole time—THIS WHOLE TIME—I’ve been avoiding the inevitable: I was going to have to open that all up again.
My therapist had a field day with this one, I think. She asked if I had re-read the book in all that time, and of course the answer was no. Not only is it weird to re-read your own words a year later, but I plain didn’t want to. Because feelings. And then she asked how I was going to talk about it and market it to its fullest if I didn’t refresh my memory. Even though I’ve been using scenes and quotes from the book for the past year, there were little things about it I had put out of my mind or forgotten in the quest to write more books. Begrudgingly, I admitted she was right.
But the prospect was terrifying. Even more terrifying was the idea that so many MORE of you would be reading it this time around. A trad release means wider distribution, a bigger audience, more opportunity for people to read this thing and hate it. Usually, I don’t take that personally. Not every book is for every reader. And this one existed in a nice little indie bubble of readers who more or less knew me and my work already. Not anymore! Would I be able to brush it off this time?
And yet, I’ve learned that when my therapist gives me homework, I better just suck it up and do it. (And my perfectionist eldest daughter tendencies won’t let me skip an assignment, even now.) So I downloaded the audiobook hoping a new format would do the trick.
Y’all. I was captivated. The narrators are SO GOOD that reading it in this way felt like an entirely new experience. My group chat was full of me just gushing about the narrators and the way they brought my favorite scenes to life. And I gushed about the book! Because I couldn’t believe I wrote this. I’m still kind of in shock.
It went a long way to easing some of the anxiety. I dedicated this book to myself a year ago, because it was for me. It was a reminder that I’m strong enough not only to weather any storm, but to put these words out into the world for other people to read them. And that’s what I want, ultimately—I want you all to read and feel seen by this book. To know you’re not alone, and you deserve love even when you feel like you don’t.
This book is mine. It always will be. But as of June 2, it’ll be yours (again), too. I think I’m ready to let it go. I suppose, like my children, I’ll never truly be ready to let go all the way. But the important thing is that I wrote the book I needed. We edited it and tweaked it until it hopefully became the book you needed. And now, it’s going to be in your hands. I hope you feel connected to it, seen by it, bolstered by Scarlett’s story, enamored by Ryan’s love for her and her words. I hope it’s a reminder that you’re strong enough, too. Because you are.
And check out the audio, y’all. It’s freaking amazing.
Not a Strong Enough Word - June 2, 2026 * Not on the Same Page - August 18, 2026 * Not the Way it Ends - November 10, 2026
Preorder now to get the limited edition sprayed edges and goodies from your favorite indie bookstore!
Obviously, the update you really need is that I got a pink cloud couch for my office. My husband moved his desk down to the basement where he’s happiest (because he’s a hermit? IDK.) and now the office is MINE. ALL MINE. (Cue hysterical villain laughter.) So obviously that meant I needed a pink couch, and since I always reward myself in some way for releases, this was my choice. I AM OBSESSED. You can find the exact one I bought here. (I don’t get paid or anything; I just love it that much.)
Okay, so for the updates you actually came for:
Every single sprayed edge copy of Not a Strong Enough Word has been distributed. THIS IS AMAZING FOR ME because it means my whole first print run of special editions is out of the warehouse and will be on shelves on June 2. But what does it mean for you? It means Page & Vine will not be printing more, so if you didn’t preorder and you see one in the wild, you’d better grab it while you can. As soon as bookstores have to reorder, they’ll come in with plain edges. Still beautiful! But not sprayed. (Side note: I know Scribbles will have them because half the order is sitting in my office waiting to be personalized.)
If you missed it, I’ve been given the green light to offer early, digital ARCs of Not on the Same Page to everyone who comes to one of my events in June! So what are you waiting for? Grab those tickets!
Fake Out Make Out is a sports espionage romance so steamy, it rivals the Florida heat! Kate Williams combines so many high-stakes elements in this book effortlessly. It’s fun and it’ll keep you flipping those pages to see what happens. You’re definitely going to want to add this one to your summer reading list. It is SO GOOD, and it releases June 4!
If there’s one thing Lorissa Padilla is good at, it’s making you cry. And guess what? Wherever I’m With You will absolutely bring the tears. (So grab some tissues!) If you love my emotional romances, you’ll adore this book with its themes of mental health and second chances. It releases June 2!
I hope your summer reading starts off with a five-star banger! The next time we meet, I’ll be a traditionally-published author. AHHH!
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