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Inspiring Insights for Writers

Black and white portrait of a woman in vintage attire sitting with a book.

The First Poem I Ever Memorized

. . . was by Emily Dickinson. Someone had given me a collection of her...
A person stands on a dock overlooking a calm lake with hills in the background.

A Solid Sense of Setting

As part of the NYC Teen Author Festival, I was honored to lead a panel about...
Signboard describing the 2023 Free Comic Book Festival event details.

NYC Teen Author Fest Is Here!

My bag’s almost packed, I’m almost ready to go once again to one of my...
Cover of the book 'Criminal' by Terra Elan McVoy with a dark background.

The Next Big Thing Is CRIMINAL!!!

Finally, I get to talk about my next book, CRIMINAL! The book has been done...
Black and white portrait of a smiling woman resting her chin on her hands.

Things Ann Beattie Said

This weekend I was in the same room with the amazing Judy Blume. She was...
Heart-shaped box filled with colorful conversation heart candies.

Happy Valentine’s Day to You, and You, and YOU!

Last year I wrote quite the manifesto about Valentine’s Day and why I love it....
Two musicians performing on stage with dramatic lighting and smoke effects.

Sad Jackal Goes To See The XX

Thanks to everyone who voted in the Being Friends With Boys Sad Jackal band logo contest! It...
Vintage illustration of a woman wearing an intricate mechanical hat.

Writing Workshops With Me in February!

“If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others:...
Silhouette of a person with text overlay saying 'then you were gone'.

Then You Were AMAZING, with Lauren Strasnick

I have been a supercrazymegafan of Lauren Strasnick’s work since I first read her novel Nothing...
Diced orange carrots laid out on a surface.

Roasted Butternut Squash Rules

During the chilly months of fall and winter, I pretty much subsist on roasted vegetables....
Champagne bottle cork popping with sparkling bubbles.

New Year Resolutions from the Augustine Sisters

I feel like almost everyone I know is really excited about 2013, including me. For...
A Christmas tree made entirely of stacked books with a star on top.

May Your Days Be Merry and Bright

Last post I promised maybe a recap of Winter Formal through Sad Jackal’s eyes, but...