The Nebula Award Ceremony Is Tonight! | May 2023 Tea Time with Tempest

clears throat daintily THE NEBULAS ARE TONIGHT AND I AM ALL ABUZZ!

The ceremony will be livestreamed starting at 8PM Pacific on YouTube and Facebook and available to view after if you can’t watch live.

YouTube Link | Facebook Link


Aside form this amazingness I have a few other important things to tell you about below. Then we can all go back to going OMG AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!

Continue reading “The Nebula Award Ceremony Is Tonight! | May 2023 Tea Time with Tempest”

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

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”

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

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”

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

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 😍

Signed By The Author

Where to find signed Ruby Finley copies

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.

Holiday Sale 2022

It’s getting toward the end of the year and that means it’s time for sales because capitalism! While I would not blame you for not wanting to participate in said capitalism, if you are going to buy gifts for yourself or your loved ones, let me help ease the burden on your wallet.

Starting today through December 20 all items in Ruby’s Merch Shop and in my online bookstore, Tempestuous Books, are on sale. Plus, I am offering up a limited number of signed, personalized, custom Ruby Finley bookplates.

15%+ Off Ruby Merch

Rubys Merch Shop banner

I lowered all the prices in my Redbubble shop by 15%. Plus, Redbubble is offering 25% off everything if you buy today. If there are any more sales later or any coupons you find, they’ll apply on top of my discount. No matter what, you can get all the t-shirts, backpacks, journals, notebooks, and stickers for less until December 20.

20% Off Tempestuous Books

Tempestuous Books banner

I added almost all of the books I’ve written, contributed to, or appeared in to my online bookstore. Most are only available in print, some in eBook. All of them are available for 20% off with coupon: holiday2022 – good until December 20.

30% Off @ Libro.fm

audiobook banner

This is ongoing but I figured I’d mention it again! Use code TEMPEST to get 30% off the audiobook on Libro. You should check out Libro in any case because they’re so much better than Audible ;) This code is good until December 31.

Ruby Finley Bookplates

ruby finley bookplate

I designed a Ruby-themed bookplate for sending to folks who can’t get their books autographed in person. If you’d like to get one for your own copy or to put in a book for someone else for the holidays, you can order them through my Gumroad store. They cost $2.50 (this includes shipping). I’ll sign each and personalize it with up to three names.

Only 50 available!

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Ruby Finley vs. the Interstellar Invasion has launched into the skies | November 2022 Tea Time With Tempest

Ruby is out in the world!

It’s been a tad over a month since Ruby Finley vs. the Interstellar Invasion launched itself into the hands of readers. I’ve been so humbled by the great response! Many people have shared pictures of their kids reading it and the reactions have all been great. I even got an Amazon review from a 9 year old who said “…this book is one of the most amazing things I’ve ever read.” THAT is the greatest compliment an author can get!

Thank you to everyone who pre-ordered or bought it in the last month or who will buy it as soon as the budget allows. And huge, huge thanks to everyone who has reviewed it on bookstore sites and Goodreads and StoryGraph so far. Y’all are so great.

Due to a snafu, I haven’t had a “launch” event yet, but will later this month. It should happen on November 28th at Powell’s Books in Cedar Hills. I’ll send all the details as soon as that’s settled. Should be a fun time!

If you haven’t bought your copy yet…

My Ruby Finley landing page has links to all the places you can get the book, including my bookstore Tempestuous Books. And if you do happen to buy it from there and enter the Promo/Discount Code TEMPEST (case sensitive), you can get 10% off until the end of the year. The Libro.fm audiobook promo code also still words: TEMPEST to get 30% off.

If you’re a physical book store person, I have been signing stock! I signed some books at the Rookwood location of Joseph-Beth in Cincinnati and 57th Street Books in Chicago a couple weeks back, and I’m going to sign stock at a few bookstores in Portland and Seattle ovr the next week and a half. I’ll update you on locations once I’m done!

Help me keep up the momentum?

The rush of a book launch eventually tapers off, eventually. I’m going to keep promoting the book as much as I can in many different ways. If you’d like to help the book get in front of every person who would love it, here are some easy ways:

  1. Check to see if the library systems near you have the book yet. If they don’t, request they get it! Libraries do listen to requests from the community.
  2. Share posts about the book on social media. Here’s a tweet, a Facebook status, and an Instagram post you can share.
  3. If you know a school librarian or a teacher, let them know about the book and see if they’ll get it for their lass or school.
  4. Keep reviewing! You can review on Amazon, Barnes & Noble’s website, Books a Million, Kobo, Google Play, Goodreads, and Storygraph. You can cross-post reviews if you like. Reviews definitely help with discovery.
  5. Personal recommendations to friends and family are, of course, always awesome.

GeekGirlCon

If you’ll be at GGC this weekend, please come to my panel! I’ll be on “Our Favorite Female Sleuths” Saturday at 1PM along with Sarah Gulde, Seanan McGuire, and Crystal Frasier. here’s the description:

From Jessica Fletcher to Phryne Fisher, let’s talk about the female sleuths we love! What did the writers get right, what did they get wrong, and why do we love these inquisitive characters so much?

I’m always down to talk Murder, She Wrote and will also mention the ways it inspired aspects of Ruby Finley. Hope to see you there!

I don’t have an official signing, but if you come to the panel and bring the book I’ll find a spot in a public area to sign it.

Coming Soon

As we get into the holiday season I’ll be setting up some sales in the merch shop, I’ll be offering some new swag, and there will be Ruby bookplates on offer. Everything will be in the newsletters.

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 😍

Tea Time With Tempest Header

One Month Until My Debut Novel Publishes | August 2022 Tea Time With Tempest

I’m not allowed to type in all caps or use excess exclamation points since this is also going to the email subscribers, so just imagine me shouting from a rooftop:

One Month Until Ruby Finley vs. the Interstellar Invasion Debuts

And I have some surprises for you, so dig in.

🧡 Tempest


I have a bit of news to share with you below, but down in the comments I want to hear your news. Tell me about the stuff going on in your life that you’d like to share. Can be great things, or not so great things, or a funny story, or an epic story. Share pictures, share laughter, share what’s troubling you, share wisdom.
Continue reading “One Month Until My Debut Novel Publishes | August 2022 Tea Time With Tempest”

July 2022 Tea Time With Tempest

New Suns 2 has a cover and Ruby Finley has an audiobook | July 2022 Tea Time With Tempest

This month I’ve spent a ton of time thinking about the future and what I want from it. There are several things on the horizon that could mean great things for my writing career and my bank account (woot), which means I can start thinking about where I want to put down roots. Yes, this nomad wishes to be in one place for a long time. Or at least have a good home base so I can launch myself wherever else I want to go.

Like many Americans, I’m very worried about certain national trends. More and more I’m leaning into the notion that survival means ensuring I have community and that the people in it are as dedicated to mutual aid, support, and caring for each other as I am. Wherever I land, that’s the top priority.

All the examples of this kind of community I’ve seen are based on location: neighborhoods, towns, regions. However, I have friends and loved ones all over the country and around the world. I want to know more about ways we can provide mutual aid across distances, and best ways to organize such. I’d love to hear from anyone with ideas or experience in that area.

In the end, we all have to take care of each other. That’s how we’re going to make it.

🧡 Tempest


I have a bit of news to share with you below, but down in the comments I want to hear your news. Tell me about the stuff going on in your life that you’d like to share. Can be great things, or not so great things, or a funny story, or an epic story. Share pictures, share laughter, share what’s troubling you, share wisdom.


Continue reading “New Suns 2 has a cover and Ruby Finley has an audiobook | July 2022 Tea Time With Tempest”

Junior Library Guild

Ruby Finley is a JLG Gold Standard Selection!

This news made my day explode with glitter! Ruby Finley vs. the Interstellar Invasion is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. *confetti!*

For those who don’t know, the JLG sends curated book boxes to librarians who then use those selections to inform which books they’ll buy for their libraries. So this is a big win!

The guild also claims that they have “A Sixth Sense for Choosing Award-Worthy Books.” *fans self*

Many thanks to the folks at JLG for picking my book and I hope all the librarians who get it love it as well.