Welcome to 2026!
We’re only one month into this new year and I feel like I can’t even catch my breath before the next heartbreaking event takes over the news cycle. Many people on social media feel that non-political creators shouldn’t bring up politics. One of my many issues with that stance is that EVERYTHING has been turned into ‘politics’ lately. And don’t forget that art has always been political. In case my books and my social media posts haven’t made it clear: No humans are illegal. Fuck ICE and anyone who supports their acts of intentional cruelty.
If caring about other humans offends you, please hit that unsubscribe button and see yourself out. No need to announce your departure…this isn’t an airport. I won’t be reading or responding to negative comments.
waiting…
And now that only those who want to be here remain, thank you!
So far this year, it’s been difficult to feel like the act of writing a new book is important, and yet without that release of creativity, the seasonal depression would’ve hit me even harder I think. We all need joy and escape. Surviving in constant fight or flight is exhausting and isn’t a healthy place to stay. I’m really proud of myself for writing something every day since November 1, 2025. Which leads me to…
Almost Like Magic, book 4! Today I crossed the 55,000 word mark (and ended closer to 56,000) and I really REALLY can’t wait for you all to get this book! If my word count continues like this, the final draft is gonna be a chunky one. I have several (intentionally) open plots threads from the other books that I’m weaving together, and that means this book is going to be longer than the other three in the series. Not by a huge percent, but you’ll notice. I’m doing everything I can to get this book out for you later THIS YEAR! Once I have the draft to my amazing editor, I’ll do a title reveal.
I’ve also been poking around at another short story collection. This one based in the world of Almost Like Magic, and exploring some of the adventures my minor characters have had. No idea when it’ll come out, but maybe you’ll get two new books from me this year 😈
I’m still reading Monster Sitter, by Paige Andrews and Percival Constantine, and love it more with each chapter! If you like my books, you’ll definitely want to read this series.
A huge HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY to my awesome friend Penelope Wright on the release of the second book in her Scavenger Princess series. The Enchanted Ring came out yesterday, and I cannot wait to dive in! I mean, LOOK AT THAT COVER! This new series is part of the same universe as her Collapse and Queen Trials series and while you should also read those, you don’t have to read them to start this series.
December was a bad month for my Kindle Unlimited page reads and book sales, but thankfully January was much better. It’s absolutely amazing to me that the US isn’t my largest market this month! So a HUGE shout out to all my new European, Canadian, and Australian readers! Hello and THANK YOU!!
I often struggle with staying exclusive to Amazon (for a lot of reasons) so I can keep my books in their Kindle Unlimited program. But as you can see from the second graph below, this month 99% of my royalties came from Kindle Unlimited. A lot of readers are more willing to give a new-to-them author a try. Until that balance changes, I’ll keep all of my books in the KU program. (but you can request them all through your local library if you don’t want to support Amazon). Or…
I’ll expand more on this next month, but I have three in-person events (so far!) scheduled for this spring and summer and hope to chat about books with some of you face-to-face.
Here’s to a brighter, more hopeful 2026. I wish kindness and peace for you all. And lots of books. Support your local book stores, libraries, and authors.
Happy reading,
Jill ❤️📚
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