June 2025 News

Habits, Rainy Days, and A New Short Story

Jun 22, 2025

June 2025
Vol. 273

Hello friends,

Summer is upon us, and Tennessee has become…Florida. We are getting copious amounts of rain, shocking amounts. Downpours bring an inch an hour (no kidding) and the trees, bushes, and weeds are growing like we’re in a lush rainforest. Our backyard zoo has come to life! There’s a new kid on the block, a healthy juvenile raccoon who lives in the gutter and traverses the yard every early evening commuting home, (or to his girlfriend’s, I’m not sure.) Jordan lives for this moment, when the waddling bandit crosses her path. She watches for him daily, and it’s beyond adorable. And two blue jays have moved in, both as rowdy and raucous as you can imagine. They can get a bit shrill, and are absolute bullies. The usual accoutrement of chipmunks, squirrels, titmice, cardinals, wrens, robins, chickadees, hummingbirds, rabbits, opossums, and deer round out the daily visitations. I have apparently reached birdwatching age, and I’m here for it.

Watching these creatures and their daily rhythms is more than mere curiosity; it’s an example of how we, as both people and creatives, should approach our lives. They have a schedule—a habit. If you pay close attention, you will notice that the same birds come at the same time of day. The raccoon makes his daily trek just before dusk. The deer appear to be gently discouraged from ingesting my roses every day at 3:00. The blue jays are at 10:00 and 4:00. Throughout the day, creatures big and small rotate through our yard. They are all in sync with their world. It is a small world, to be sure, one full of dangers and horrors, but also sublime beauty and great peace.

We can learn from this. We can reset ourselves. Honor our schedules. We can set boundaries around our online usage, make a concerted effort to shift away from social media and screens, and into books, or walks, or in-person meetings. We can do our work, then enjoy our lives. Even when the world feels like it’s blowing up—my goodness, especially then—retreating into nature and stillness is the best remedy. Quiet habits equal soul peace, something that I think we all need.

I’m thinking about this now in particular as the new book is about to release, and my online time is increasing. I don’t like the term ‘necessary evil’ because it’s too negative. I don’t feel negatively toward any of this online interaction; on the contrary, I enjoy it SO much that I have to limit myself so it doesn’t consume all my time. But as marketing and PR campaigns shift away from industry to trade, and instead become more focused on accessing the readers directly, it’s always a good idea to find ways to disconnect, so there is space. Margin. Room for that soul peace I mentioned above.

✍🏻 The Writing Life

All this rain means we’ve been stuck indoors, but that’s okay. The new book is finally coming along the way I want it. It’s been a bit of a struggle, and I’ve made some fascinating realizations about my writing process this year. First, apparently, I am more of a plotter than I thought. Second, I have cemented my analogy for how writing is like building a house. And I am talking about real, yet metaphorical, cement, because without a foundation, no house can be built, right? The book’s foundation just wouldn’t take hold. I’d pour the concrete, and come back to find it wasn’t dry. Or the rebar had failed. Or the borders had fallen off. Or Rocky Raccoon had walked through it all, or gotten stuck in the muck. It was just two weeks ago when I poured one more and stepped away, thinking perhaps, perhaps, this was it... and I was right! My concrete hardened, stayed smooth, in place, and without tracks or cracks or shifts. Finally, I could begin putting up the walls. And now, two weeks later, the walls are all in place and I’m about to put on the roof.

Writing is an interesting journey. Some books are a slam dunk from start to finish. They pour out in great swaths, and you, the writer, are simply the conduit for the words. Sometimes, they are incredibly challenging. It’s still the best job in the world. I wouldn’t trade one day of struggling with a manuscript for anything. And honestly, it’s good to be humbled by your work every now and then.

Can you believe we’re only 6 weeks away from LAST SEEN?! I’ve already taped a few podcasts that will come out closer to release, but one was released this week, from

Nicole Meier

on Dear Whole Writer, and it’s more about the creative journey. Thought you might enjoy! I’m keeping track of all the fun stops along the tour and will share in a later post for those of you who can’t participate directly.

This is a fun moment in the process. I’m writing essays about the book, the story, my process, my inspirations. And in the midst of all of this, my box of finished copies arrived. The hardcover is spectacular, y’all! Beside myself excited to get this one into your hands. Some early reads have come in and so far, everyone agrees: LAST SEEN is dark and creepy and compelling. So I’ve done my job, and I am much relieved.

I will be doing a couple of in-person tour events. I’ll be at Parnassus Books on August 1 in conversation with Ariel Lawhon for release day — a free but ticketed event, so please register! And I’ll be at Poisoned Pen August 7 in conversation with Megan Miranda and Barbara Peters. Very grateful for these two amazing indies who support me in so many ways!

I have a little surprise for you—a short story I wrote a few years back is now available! LOUCHE 49 is a spy thriller about a woman whose mother disappeared on a job in Paris in 1985, and the investigation has just uncovered a tie to Nashville. It’s a lot of fun and a character I’d like to revisit. And this cover is one of my all-time favorites!

Also, in more happy news, A VERY BAD THING is marked down this weekend! If you haven’t read it yet, now’s your chance.

📚 Poll

A bit of a strange one this month, but I promise this is real research and I will report back on the findings. I want you to close your eyes, and think of an apple, and then take the poll. Thank you!

📚 What I'm Reading

It’s been a great month for books!

THE GHOSTWRITER
Superb premise and fascinating insights into the ghostwriting process.

THE KNIGHT AND THE MOTH
Possibly the most unique fantasy novel I’ve read in years, and definitely a top five of the year for me. Wonderful!

BURY OUR BONES IN THE MIDNIGHT SOIL
A sophisticated and stunning journey through time, morality, and love. V’s hit it out of the park!

IT TAKES A PSYCHIC
Jayne Ann Krentz never disappoints, does she? I love these books!

JILL IS NOT HAPPY
Kaira Rouda is one of my favorite popcorn thriller writers. You will love this!

THE EXPAT AFFAIR
Kimberley Belle gets better with every book - a stunner!

DON’T OPEN YOUR EYES
Liv Constantine is another absolute favorite, and this book’s premise hits close to home — I’m a prophetic dreamer, too.

🧑‍🍳 June Recipe

Since the bounty of summer is upon us, and the tomatoes are ripe, I want to revisit an old favorite—my easy, delicious homemade marinara sauce. I love growing the components for this in my garden and making batches to freeze for later in the year when summer is a distant memory.

THAT SOUNDS GOOD!

You can find all of my recipes here, and if you want some wine to go with the meals, The Wine Vixen (coming soon to Substack) has you covered.

📺 A Word on Words

Season Ten has dropped, and all episodes are now live. This season was one of our most interesting, diverse, and thought-provoking yet. You can watch the preview of all the episodes here, and listen to them in their entirety on our podcast here.