Ruby Finley is a Nebula Finalist | March 2023 Tea Time With Tempest

By:  TempestNewsletter Posts

Nebula Award Finalist

Ever since I found out about this I’ve been vibrating with joy. Ruby Finley vs. the Interstellar Invasion is a finalist for the Andre Norton Nebula Award for Middle Grade and Young Adult Fiction. This is my first ever Nebula nomination and I’m beyond honored. Squeeeeee!

I’m up against some tough competition. The whole ballot is stuffed with great books and media and games. I’m in the best company.

This seems like a good time to point to this blog post I wrote on how the book came to be and this podcast episode where I talk about the publication process in more detail.

I hadn’t planned to attend Nebula Weekend this year. Problem is, with my Egypt trip coming up, I’m low on discretionary funds and can’t afford it. When I told my friend Alethea this she said I had to go then set up this GoFundMe to make it possible. (Have I mentioned lately that I have the BEST friends?) If it reaches the goal, I can go.
Continue reading “Ruby Finley is a Nebula Finalist | March 2023 Tea Time With Tempest” →

I Heart This Thursday

I Heart This Thursday | March 2023

By:  TempestNewsletter Posts

Welcome to I❤TT, a discussion thread for sharing stuff you love because we need more of that in life.

I haven’t been on TikTok for several months now and I mostly don’t miss it. There are a few accounts I missed enough to seek out on YouTube. One of them was the 3 Southern Cats and Momma. It’s still called that even though there’s now a fourth cat! I love them all so much. Here’s a random video for a taste.

LOVE

Please talk about or post a link, or two links, or even 5 links to things that bring you joy. Can be something cute your kid or pet did, a piece of art, a song, a book, a short story, an article, a video, posts from social media, anything.

And if these discussions are a source of joy for you, please do share this link with others who might need a space for talking about what we love.

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ORIGINality Podcast Episode 39: Do Not Put All Your Eggs in Twitter’s Basket

By:  TempestMulti-Media
Twitter is (still) going down in a blaze of…well, not glory. Its demise has been a blow to many creative people. They’re rightfully worried about the future.
In this episode Aleen and I talk about what writers and artists and other creatives can do in the wake of this and any other social media platform’s decline. Spoiler: It’s about diversification.

»»» Click here to listen to episode 39 «««

Image of two drawings by Tempest, one a scarab beetle, the other a sun with sunrays that end in hands. Also shown are the markers used.

Daily Creative Challenge: Days 1 and 2

By:  TempestRandom Acts of Creativity

It’s a new year (according to some calendars, at least) and a good time to reset, refresh, and start anew. I gave up doing resolutions several years ago, though I still try to use the energy around this time of year as impetus to get back to things I need and want to do. Such as filling up my internal creative well by engaging in wild acts of creativity.

Okay, maybe not wild ones.

Last year I came across the Daily Project Deck by Molly McLeod and immediately fell in love. As you might know, I’m a big fan of fun practice activities such as writing exercises and games, so I knew this deck would tick all my boxes. I decided to start with it in February. I got sidetracked yesterday, so officially we’re starting on the second!

Here are the cards I picked from the deck:

I Heart This Thursday | February 2023

By:  TempestNewsletter Posts

Welcome to I❤TT, a discussion thread for sharing stuff you love because we need more of that in life.

The new year celebrations are all over! Lunar New Year usually comes in February, but happened early this time. Guess that means I finally need to start my year. It does bring me a measure of joy to have a reason to reset and start anew on things I know I should be doing. I try not to think of it as making resolutions, only recommitting myself to self care.

Now it’s your turn: Please talk about or post a link, or two links, or even 5 links to things that bring you joy. Can be something cute your kid or pet did, a piece of art, a song, a book, a short story, an article, a video, posts from social media, anything.

And if these discussions are a source of joy for you, please do share this link with others who might need a space for talking about what we love.

Tea Time Header January 2023

Ruby Makes The Honor Roll + I Get Back Into The Creative Groove While Rethinking How I Use The Socials | January 2023 Tea Time With Tempest

By:  TempestNewsletter Posts

I waited until the very last day of the month to send this update because I have been a busy bee. Last month I was invited to speak at the Jeddah International Book Fair. I had a wonderful time, as the pictures I took can attest. It was my first time in Saudi Arabia and I loved the entire trip. I didn’t get to see too much since I wanted to soak in all the goodness of the book fair. What little I did see made me want to go back someday.

I started the year off with a solo writing and meditation retreat. Sorely needed. I’ve been dealing with burnout for months and two solid weeks of only focusing on restorative things helped me start clawing my way out of it.

Now I’m settling in at home for two months of writing writing writing. I have a book due, a picture book to poke at, and a secret project to plan.

There’s some other news of interest below. Don’t forget to visit the comments and drop your own exciting news. I want to know what y’all have been up to :)

🧡 Tempest

In this newsletter:

  1. Ruby Finley Honored + Awards Season
  2. Pre-Ordering New Suns 2
  3. My Upcoming Classes
  4. Get Back In The Creative Groove With Me
  5. Social Network Updates

Continue reading “Ruby Makes The Honor Roll + I Get Back Into The Creative Groove While Rethinking How I Use The Socials | January 2023 Tea Time With Tempest” →

I Heart This Thursday

I Heart This Thursday December 2022

By:  TempestNewsletter Posts

Welcome to I❤TT, a discussion thread for sharing stuff you love because we need more of that in life.

It’s the last I Heart This Thursday of the year! Looking back over the last 12 months, what are the things that kept you joyful even as the state of the world has been, overall, not so great? What are the pinpricks of light in the darkness?

If these discussions are a source of joy for you, please do share this link with others who might need a space for talking about what we love.

Ruby Finley Holiday Sale, Signed Books, and a Reading | Late November 2022 Tea Time With Tempest

By:  TempestNewsletter Posts

Welcome to the second Tea Time of the month, featuring news about holiday sales, signed books, and my first in-person appearance! But first….

Where to find me off Twitter

You probably know that Twitter is a weird death spiral which probably won’t result in it going away completely anytime soon, yet will still mess with a bunch of people’s online lives. If you want to be sure you can find me online outside of my blog, here’s where I’m currently active:

Mastodon: Wandering Shop is my home server. You can follow me no matter what server you’re on.

Instagram: I was silent on here for a while, then discovered that the experience is much better via a browser, so I’m back to engaging for now.

Facebook: I only interact through my Group there. Joining it is the same as following me in terms of your experience.

TikTok: I haven’t been on here in months. Not sure if I’ll get back to it. Just in case.

Meet Me @ Powell’s!

When: November 28 @ 7PM
Where: 3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd, Beaverton, OR

Very excited to announce my first official author event. A signing plus a conversation with my friend and fellow kidlit author Tina Connolly followed by some Q&A.

Get A Signed Copy

If you’d like a copy of Ruby Finley signed by yours truly, check out this list of bookstores I’ve visited recently. Powell’s is also offering to ship you signed copies if you order ahead of my event on the 28th.

Winter Holiday Sale Activate

You know there’s merch available for those of you who love Ruby Finley or know someone who does, right? Even better, said merch is on sale for 15% off until December 20. This includes everything on the Redbubble shop from backpacks to shirts to journals.

If you’re a book giver, all of the published books in my online store, Tempestuous Books, are available for 20% off with code holiday2022

And if you want a personalized autograph from me for your or someone else’s copy of the book, you can now order a custom bookplate.

All the details are on the holiday sale page.

Enough About Me

I’m ready to hear from you 🤗 Just one note: this is a community space. Please keep in mind that this is my space, so please act the way you would if you were in my actual parlor having actual tea with me 😍

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Come Meet Me at Powell’s Books on November 28!

By:  TempestNews

Having my first official author event for Ruby Finley at Powell’s Books in Cedar Hills Crossing. Very exciting! I’ll do a very short reading, then have a talk with my friend and fellow kidlit author Tina Connolly followed by some Q&A, then a signing.

Powell’s will ship you a signed book from the event if you can’t come. It won’t be personalized, though.

Bring your kids! I’ll have some exclusive Ruby merch for them.

When: November 28 @ 7PM
Where: 3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd, Beaverton, OR

Signed By The Author

Where to find signed Ruby Finley copies

By:  TempestNews

For the past few weeks I’ve been turning up to bookstores that have copies of Ruby Finley vs the Interstellar Invasion to sign them! I also very much enjoyed meeting the booksellers along the way. Below is a list of stores where I’ve signed stock. Most only had one or two copies at the time, so they may be gone. Perhaps you’ll get lucky!

If you happen to drop by to get a signed copy, make sure you tell them you came specifically for that! It helps when they know.

Not in any of these cities? Never fear, you can still get my book online or from your local indie bookstore. Click here to find it in your area.