One month of MURRAY OUT OF WATER

Signed books! Events! And more! All written from a hotel in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

My debut novel in verse Murray Out of Water has now been out for one whole month. First and foremost, thank you so much to everyone who has offered support or congrats. This past month has been filled with so many emotions—overwhelm, joy, anxiety, celebration, and so much hope for the future for both this book and myself as a writer.

That’s my book! Signed copies of my book! On Martha’s Vineyard!

Here are some of the incredible things that have happened since Murray debuted on May 21:

• Murray Out of Water received a starred review from School Library Journal, which you can read here!

• I was interviewed by my friend and author Whitney Gardner for the brand new Summer Reading Club podcast, which you can learn more about here and listen to wherever you get your podcasts.

• I’ve done a bunch of events and have gotten way more confident in talking about myself and my writing. I have done events with one author, a virtual panel with two other authors, and a panel with seven other authors in addition to a community storytelling circle with non-authors. I’m the most anxious of public speakers, but practice makes perfect! I have a bunch of solo events coming up and feel way more prepared.

• I’ve signed books at some incredible indie bookstores, including Bunch of Grapes on Martha’s Vineyard, Eight Cousins in Falmouth, MA, Books of Wonder and McNally Jackson in NYC, and my local indie Curious Reader in Glen Rock, NJ (see a full list below for everywhere I’ve signed so far!).

• Most importantly of all, I’ve been having an absolute blast. There have been challenges and ups and downs to get here, but mostly? This is the dream I’ve been working to for my entire life. I’m trying to prioritize being in the moment, worrying about things I can control, and staying grounded. I can’t wait to keep promoting Murray and work on some projects this summer.

Signed copies of Murray are available at the following locations:

• Curious Reader, Glen Rock, NJ - Available online!

• Thunder Road Books, Spring Lake, NJ

• Books of Wonder, NYC - Available online!

• Heartleaf Books, Providence, RI (signed bookplates available)

• Eight Cousins Books, Falmouth, MA

• Bunch of Grapes Books, Vineyard Haven, Martha’s Vineyard, MA

• Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore, Middletown, CT - Available online!

• McNally Jackson (Seaport and SoHo), NYC

• The Strand, NYC (signed bookplates available)

That’s my book in Books of Wonder, a bookstore I’ve been going to since I was a teenager. I’d always hoped I’d have a book there but for it to become a reality is so overwhelming in the best way.

I’m currently on a road trip and signed copies will soon be available in Atlanta, Panama City, FL, Pass Christian, MS, New Orleans, and Indianapolis.

Keep an eye out for some fun travel updates here and on social over the next couple of weeks! I love traveling and it has already been incredible to see a whole new part of the country I’ve never been to. The mountains of western Virginia are absolutely breathtaking.

I’ve also been doing a ton of reading. Here are some titles I’ve really enjoyed:

• The Squish by Breanna Carzoo

• There’s No Such Thing As Vegetables by Kyle Lukoff

• Noah Frye Gets Crushed by Maggie Horne

• Hi Honey, I’m Homo!: Sitcoms, Specials and the Queering of American Culture by Matt Baume

• Plain Jane and the Mermaid by Vera Brosgol

• Lunar Boy by Jes Wibowo and Cin Wibowo

• Here We Go Again by Alison Cochrun

Have you read Murray Out of Water yet? Have you read anything else great lately? Let me know in the comments and be sure to subscribe if you haven’t already for more updates soon!