BIG NEWS
And what it all means for my writing.
Cross-posted on Substack.
I don’t know if you’ve all heard the news yet, but I have a big announcement. But first…
I have recently been told that people skip the coffee break section. Which is interesting because writing it is the hardest part of putting this newsletter together. Are you reading the coffee break? Or are you skipping to the good stuff? I’d say let me know in the comments, but if you’re skipping the coffee break, you wouldn’t know to do that, would you?
Anyway, families in Gaza are starving, and it’s unconscionable. We need to release the Epstein files. AI is using up literal tons of drinkable water. Colbert was cancelled. People are having to declare their social media handles at our borders. So… I dunno. Pick a cause. Fight the good fight.
Honestly, in the face of all of that, my announcement seems trite, but I truly believe with my whole heart that happiness is resistance. Joy is vital. And romance books are what keep many people afloat in times like these, so I am going to share a big win today.
NOT A STRONG ENOUGH WORD IS GOING TRAD!
This week, I signed a three book deal with Page & Vine. In 2026, they are going to be re-releasing Not a Strong Enough Word, and then releasing two more new books in this series. I could not be more excited!
If you’ve been around for a while, you know that this book is special to me. I will definitely write more about the process we went through to come to this point, but I’m so glad this was the book to make the leap to traditional publishing. Love Out Loud—my first book on submission—is the book of my heart. It got some great feedback, and I think it’s an amazing story, but this one…this one is the book of my soul. And there’s no better feeling than to have the team at Page & Vine recognize the story and want to publish it and give it a wider reach.
So what does this mean for my publishing journey?
Well, first and foremost, I don’t have any plans at this time to re-publish any of my backlist traditionally. My intention is to remain hybrid, so I will have some indie releases and some trad ones, and while I have a schedule in my head, I can’t say much yet because my release dates aren’t public yet. Rest assured, there is a lot more Allie Samberts coming, and I’m excited about it.
Unfortunately, though, I cannot release my witchy romance book 1 this fall. I wouldn’t be able to release the next one in a timely fashion with deadlines and competing release dates, and it didn’t feel fair to put book 1 out in the world and leave you hanging. Plus, these books are taking longer than I thought they would, and you can’t rush a good thing. But I’m almost finished with the first draft, so it’s coming, I promise!
And there might be an end-of-summer something up my sleeve. Not to mention the serial holiday novella I plan to do here for paying subscribers. It’s going to be a fun year!
Other than that, I don’t know much yet, but I am going to share everything as soon as I can!
Amidst all of this joyful news, I had to make the difficult decision not to attend Romance Con this year. I stand with trans readers who want large organizations to disentangle themselves from the Harry Potter fandom because of the harm JK Rowling is doing to trans folks. Everyone who has preordered a book has been contacted, and those books have been shipped. I understand that means some of you will not be able to meet me and get books you’ve previously purchased signed, but I am working on still being in Milwaukee that weekend. If you can’t make it there, or if you don’t see me, I’m also working on getting a Google form together for people to request signed bookplates. I am waiting for plans to be finalized before releasing that form.
I will, however be at Book Harvest in October! You can preorder your books here.
The Pumpkin to Talk About audiobook is in review! Look for another message from me when that is live. It’s almost spooky season!!!
And the Christmas by Design audiobook is being released August 5. I cannot WAIT for you to hear Gemma and Beckett in all their snowed-in glory.
If you haven’t read While You’re Dancing by Kelsey Painter yet, what are you even doing? It is AMAZING. Seriously. Trust me. Read it now. You will not regret it.
Phoebe Barlowe needs a comeback.
After a traumatic event puts her stand-up comedy tour on hiatus, she’s out of material and out of options. Her agent pitches something different—Ballroom for Better, a charity ballroom dancing competition show. Phoebe can earn money for others while also earning back the public’s favor. Reluctant but desperate, she agrees. Now all she has to do is survive her snobby dance partner.
When Cyrus Hayes agrees to dance on Ballroom for Better, he thinks his only problem will be that one of the judges is his runaway bride. But when he meets his celebrity partner, he realizes he is in for more than he bargained for. Phoebe Barlowe is crass, sloppy, and worst of all—tardy. He isn’t sure he can stand this stand-up comic.
Despite their animosity, learning to dance gives Phoebe something she thought she lost forever. And dancing with Phoebe gives Cyrus the spark he was certain his ex had taken. Long hours at the dance studio lead to longer conversations outside of it. Before they know it, staying in the competition means more to them than they ever thought it would.
Everything changes when their hearts are at stake.
That’s all for this week! You can expect more regular newsletter updates from me from now on. I needed a little breather there, but I’m back and ready to roll!
Happy reading,
Allie