Yooooooo hi hello! It’s been a while, hasn’t it?
If you read the headline and are just here for the ARC giveaway details, feel free to scroll down to the bottom. Otherwise, I thought I’d take a second to check-in a bit.
I’m happily writing this newsletter from the desk in my apartment. This is huge because if you know me IRL or follow me on Instagram (@jadeadia) then you’d know that I had an absolutely insane start to 2024 that involved having to evacuate my home for about six weeks due to a super fun surprise mudslide. I’m okay and my apartment is okay, so I think it’s finally safe enough to admit that I did in fact play “Landslide” (Fleetwood Mac version) on repeat endlessly upon moving back. It got to the point that I fear the song may very well end up in my Spotify Wrapped come December. It’s probably too soon to joke about it, but you know what they say: “Time makes you bolder.”
Other new stuff with me:
I’ve been teaching this school year (can’t remember if I’ve mentioned that in the newsletter before?) and I love it so much. I teach a wide age-range of 11 to 18 year olds and it’s kind of a dream. It’s hard for me to not get too sentimental when talking about it, but my students are all brilliant and creative and way cooler than me. I’m doing my best to try to teach them about creative writing and they’re returning the favor by teaching me about important things like Mr. Beast and FNAF and skibidi toilet.
After spending several years miserable in law school, it’s hard to believe that between teaching and writing, I have truly become one of those annoying people who can say without a hint of irony that they love their job.
On the Author Side of life, things are going aight. I turned in YA Mystery Book #3 right before The Great Landslide Saga of 2024, so I’ll finally get to talk about that soon hopefully.
I took a few weeks off to “rest” (aka anxiously try to decide what to write next) and now I’m finally back to writing ANOTHER book. Who knows if this will turn into something publishable, but I’m back to re-writing a half-finished draft of mine from last year, which I’m delusionally hoping might end up being my adult debut..??! (Contingent upon whether I can get my shit together, of course.) To be honest, it’s been really difficult trying to return to this book again.
One reason is probably because I’m feeling pretty burnt out after my Mystery Book experience.
Another is because I’m officially ~off deadline~ for the first time in years, which I thought I’d be super excited about, but actually feel strange. After getting used to all the crazy deadlines and other people waiting for my work, it’s hard trying to rally without any structure. I’ve forgotten how to write slowly without the pressure of a ticking clock. I’m sure I’ll find my way back to the flow state eventually, but for now, I can’t lie: I’ve been Very Unserious about getting my writing done each week.
This is getting long so I’ll stop here for now? Keep scrolling for ARC Giveaway Details (OUR SHOUTS ECHO comes out in August!!!), but here’s the art I’ve been consuming + some upcoming events in the meantime.
Upcoming Events
April 22 - Henderson Reads Book Festival in Henderson, Nevada (free!)
May 4 - YallWest in Santa Monica, CA (also free & open to the public!)
* I think I want a new author pic btw for my short hair era. Any photographers in LA? Hit me up.
What I’m Currently Consuming
What I’m Reading: I Love You So Much It’s Killing Us Both by Mariah Stovall
What I’m Listening To: lots of Algernon Cadwallar
What I’m Playing: Final Fantasy 7, OG version (though this has been a saga… why didn’t anyone warn me this is super hard?)
What I’m Watching: TNG. Again. Please send help.
ARC GIVEAWAY
Win an Advanced Reader Copy of OUR SHOUTS ECHO: the coming-of-age novel for anyone who is chronically overwhelmed by the state of the world.
To enter:
1) Make sure you’re subscribed to this ~free~ substack newsletter
2) Share this newsletter with a friend rand/or add OUR SHOUTS ECHO on Goodreads :)
3) LIKE THIS NEWSLETTER. (There’s a “like” button at the bottom. This is the most important step because it’s how I’ll be able to pick a winner!)
Giveaway ends THIS SUNDAY (APRIL 7). I’ll pick one winner to mail a bound galley. (U.S. ONLY - I’m sorry!) Spread le word for good luck.
Cover art featured here is ~exclusive~ to the ARC so technically if you will, you’ll be getting a Limited Edition ™