The Writing Wrap, Spring 2026
Book release recap, upcoming events, ongoing discounts, and more!
Hi, happy spring.
I’m starting this month’s newsletter at SFO, sitting at a plastic table with my headphones over my ears, watching the timer count down on my phone (16 minutes until we board). I’m heading to Anaheim for WonderCon where I’ll be talking about If All the Stars Go Dark on an author panel, meeting readers, and signing books. I am often still amazed that I’m at this point in my career—that my publisher is flying me out to book events and putting me up in hotels, that readers are coming out to meet me and talk about stories. It’s something my twenty-year-old self could only ever dream of.
Life, generally, looks so different now than it did even a year ago. We moved to Oakland (I talked about that here), had a baby (surprise!), and released my first traditionally published novel after years of being indie. I went on book tour, turned in another book, and have, for the first time in working memory, felt at peace with where I am. It’s a good season.
Recapping my latest book events.
What they don’t tell you is that after you release a book, the work is just beginning. If All the Stars Go Dark launched in January, and I’ve done a fair amount of traveling to promote it since then. The highlights: a launch event at my local Banter Bookshop, a tour that took me to Portland, Salt Lake City, Chicago and Kansas City, and a panel (and my first con!) at WonderCon in Anaheim.
Book Launch
In February, I was joined by moderator T.A. Chan at Banter Bookshop in Fremont, California to celebrate the release of If All the Stars Go Dark at a live event. Before the launch, I had a call with my publicist to go over the details. “Do you have any questions or concerns?” she asked toward the end of our chat.
“What if no one shows up?” I blurted.
I don’t think that’s exactly the question or concern she had in mind, but she was quick to reassure me. People would show, she said, and hey, even if they didn’t, it would make for a good story.
I had my doubts about that. To me, a good story is usually funny or serendipitous, and very rarely at my expense. Also: the mortification? In the moment? That I would have to endure? This was my first-ever book event, and this was a real concern!
Fortunately, people did show (*insert enormous sigh here*) and I got to spend the evening talking about the ideas that inspired the book, answering questions, and connecting with everyone who came out. Overall, it was just really, really cool.
Book Tour
I went on book tour. Which is absolutely nuts.
When my publisher first contacted me last autumn to ask if I’d be interested in traveling around the country to promote my latest book, I had to stop myself from asking, Are you sure you have the right person? I was incredibly flattered. And a little bit overwhelmed. This was something I’d long dreamed of doing, and suddenly it was happening.
The tour started in Portland and took us to Salt Lake City, Chicago, and Kansas City before finally delivering me (fulfilled, exhausted) back home to California. The experience went above and beyond my expectations, from the kindness of our bookstore hosts, to the hard work of our moderators, to all the readers who came out. We got to talk about our craft, made new friends, and did not take ourselves too seriously. I loved every moment and can’t imagine a better way to celebrate my trad-publishing debut. Also: my agent Haley Casey happens to live in Kansas City, so we got to meet in person for the very first time!
WonderCon
Last month, my publisher flew me down to Anaheim to speak on a panel at WonderCon. I’d never actually been to a con before (despite my interest!), and my first experience was awesome. I’m really grateful to everyone who showed up, asked questions and stayed for the signing. Also, I left some signed copies with our hosts at Mysterious Galaxy Books, so if you’d like one, you can check them out.
Come see me at these upcoming events!
A Novel Affair Book Club
I’ll be visiting A Novel Affair Book Cafe (Los Altos) on April 26 from 1 - 3 p.m. to talk about If All the Stars Go Dark. The book was their March book club pick, but since I was at WonderCon at that time, I’ll be swinging by this month instead. I’d love to see you there if you’re in the Bay Area. More details on their page here.
Phoenix Fan Fusion
I’m heading to Phoenix Fan Fusion from June 5-7 in Phoenix, Arizona. More info to come, so if you’d like to stay up to date when the official announcement hits, be sure you’re following me on Instagram.
Writing updates and what I’m currently working on.
I’m currently working on two projects: developmental edits for a manuscript nicknamed Thieves, and a completely new book that for now, I’m going to call Sea.
I’m so excited about this project, and not just because my writing schedule has opened up for the first time in years. I love the drafting phase. It’s when I’m at my most creative and get to have the most fun. (Compare that to, say, the editing phase, which can die in a dumpster fire).
Before getting started on this latest draft, I had two main ideas I was waffling between: an urban fantasy ghost story, and a YA seafaring romantasy. Ultimately (and to no one’s surprise), the romantasy that won out. If you need to find me this spring and summer, I’ll likely be curled up on the couch in my living room with Word open on my phone (indeed, my neck does suffer), writing this new book.
To Poison a King is on sale this week for $0.99.
My standalone To Poison a King is on sale on Kindle this week! Grab your copy while you can.
What’s been going on in my non-book world.
I had a baby this past October. Did I forget to mention?
After three years of infertility, four rounds of IUI, two IVF transfers and a heartbreaking loss, we welcomed Franklin Edward Prince into the world on October 2nd just after midnight. He was born sunny side up at six pounds, 15 ounces, with a full head of hair, his mother’s eyes, and his father’s chin dimple. He is a joy, and for all my doubts about motherhood, and all the heartache of getting there, I can say with utmost certainty that it was all worth it. Having him is best thing I have ever done. There is nothing else like it.
My latest book recommendations.
I’m in a reading slump. Obviously.
My son just turned six months old, and what they don’t tell you about becoming a parent is that even if you can find the time for leisure (which, ???), that does not mean you can actually enjoy the leisure.
My brain is saturated. My to-do list is the stuff of nightmares. I start my day at four in the morning and go go go until I fall into bed, exhausted, at nine. Right now, the extra space—the mental calm that’s needed to sit down and really sink into a good book—just isn’t there.
I have accepted this. I am being an incredibly good sport about it. Everything’s a season, and this just happens to be the one I’m in right now. So rather than my usual list of book recommendations, I will share just one: Demon Overlord’s Retirement Plan by M.H. Foster. It’s a cozy fantasy that I started on the plane home from WonderCon and managed to finish last night. If you’re like me, with fragmented time, it’s good for that sort of thing. You can read my full review here.
(You can find my past reviews on Goodreads, and I encourage you to follow me there if you want more.)
Links to my book freebies.
Free fantasy books from fellow authors.
Every quarter, I partner with fellow authors who are offering free and discounted books. It’s a great way to discover new favorites, so follow the links below to check out the full giveaways.
Free Fantasy Prequals (20 books)
Romantasy Book Giveaway (36 books)
Free Fantasy & Science Fiction (107 books)
Books with Redemption Arcs (25 books)
Epic SFF (46 books)
Epic Sci-Fi Fantasy Romance (33 books)
Free Epic Sci-Fi & Fantasy (87 books)
April Fantasy & Sci-Fi Freebies (53 books)
Books with Battles & War (37 books)
Free Sci-Fi & Fantasy Novels (87 books)
The River of Reversal (my free short story).
The River of Reversal is a short story that takes place six years before the start of my full length novel To Poison a King and introduces Selene as she was in early childhood, before she makes the mistake that changes her life. The legend of the river plays a major role in the plot of the full length book, so if you’re interested in the series, it’s a great way to dip your toes into some of the lore.
You can download the story for free onto your preferred e-reader through BookFunnel, or you can quickly access a web version on my site.
A few housekeeping things.
Find me on social media.
I’m mostly on Instagram and you can follow me there. If you’re looking for recent book reviews, you can also find me on Goodreads and BookBub.
Leaving a review for If All the Stars Go Dark.
The more reviews a book has, the more attention it tends to attract. To everyone who has taken the time to leave a review for If All the Stars Go Dark on Goodreads or Amazon (or anywhere else!), thank you, thank you, thank you. Your support has directly impact my success as an author.
If you’d like to support me, leaving a review is the easiest way to do that!
Alright. That’s all for now. Hope you all have a wonderful spring x
- s.g.