It's already November...?
And other musings about how this year has flown by
How is it already November??
I swear it was just March and I was setting this newsletter up for the first time. Time is a thief.
Things have been HAPPENING though! Mostly all behind the scenes stuff, but exciting nonetheless.
Last time we chatted, I had just finished up a first draft of my second contemporary romance and was planning to rewrite my first—check! I did it! Clocked in with the first draft of the rewrite on October 23 at 78,811 words.
Unfortunately, the book is still untitled. I haven’t hit on anything that feels right quite yet, so until then, it’s being affectionately referred to as SophieWIP.
I am in the midst of edits now, with the goal of being through my first round of major self-edits by the end of December so I can yeet it off to my CPs in January. Speaking of which, I accidentally fell into an amazing, talented, wonderful group of girls this summer who have become my CPs (in addition to my superstar friend Cara, who has been with me since the VERY beginning of this journey!). Shoutout to the Katies and Allissa for making everything more fun.
After I get their edits back, I’ll do another round of edits and then jump headfirst into the QUERY TRENCHES! I’m thrilled and exhilarated and nervous all at the same time.
Another very exciting thing that happened in September:
That’s right! I met the brilliant RJ Valldeperas! She and I have been mutuals on Instagram for a couple years now (yes, I am bragging. please let me have this) and she’s just as wonderful in real life as she is online. We had such a fun time at brunch drinking mimosas and laughing and sweating our asses off. RIP
Add her book Their Will Undone on Goodreads! (Coming Winter 2026 with Quill Tree)
In January this year, me and a friend I met (again, through Instagram) in my area decided to start a book club, and WOW, it has taken off. We have between 10-15 people that come regularly each month, and we have the BEST time. We’ve read some amazing books, celebrated new babies, chatted life and writing, and cultivated some beautiful friendships. Book people are the best people, and that’s just a fact.
Buy my friend Stacy’s book here!
Buy my friend Jen’s book here!
On the reading front, I’ve read some seriously amazing books this year. At the time I’m writing this, I’ve read 92 books (with a goal of 100 by Dec 31!). Let me give you just a couple recs:
The PERFECT cozy fantasy. Nostalgic, sweet, whimsical, but still high enough stakes to get invested. Sarah Beth Durst is such a severely underrated author, so I’m happy we’re finally putting some respect on her name.
Why is no one talking about this YA duology?? It’s so fun and fast-paced and unique. It has the creepy, undead vibes of GoT and a delicious enemies to lovers slow burn. Read it.
If you love some pretty purple prose, look no further than Ms. Tahereh Mafi. She is the QUEEN of stunning writing. This series gave me the high I’ve been searching for after I read The City of Brass a couple years ago.
I’m convinced Maggie North is going to be the next big name in romance. Her voice is so funny and sharp and poignant, and you can’t help but feel things when you read this book. It’s her debut, and I just…GAH. It’s good.
Okii, I think that’s all for now. I have a lot of new and exciting things on the horizon, and I’m really going to try to get better at keeping my social media and newsletter updated! Hopefully it won’t be another 8 months before you hear from me again lol.
xoxo, A