Books

Don’t feed the demons.

If I’m reading the room correctly, we are, collectively, having a moment of anxiety. Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t think it is. This is pretty common in periods of transition, even if it’s a good transition, and we are most definitely transitioning right now.

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Books

Writing Pumpkin to Talk About was good for my soul

Surprise-releasing a novella that was written pretty quickly was so good for my mental health. You’d think it’d be the opposite, right? So I thought I’d talk about that a little today. But first…

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Books

“Just Write” and other really simple advice that annoyingly works

On Threads a little while ago, someone’s post went unintentionally viral—as often happens over there. It was a post bemoaning the “just write” advice as not possible for someone who has a day job, kids, life responsibilities, and other things taking up one’s time. And, while I think the spirit of the thread was lost in the discourse—as often happens over there—writers gave an interesting look into their writing lives and what it means to them to “just write.” So, of course I have to weigh in.

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News

Which Allie Samberts Heroine are You?

In honor of back-to-school right around the corner (or, for some of you, in the rearview mirror already!), I’ve got a little quiz for you! Don’t worry—it’s not graded. But I thought it’d be fun to find out what Allie Samberts heroine you are with a personality quiz! It was so fun to put together. I hope you have fun taking it, and be sure to let me know who you got in the comments! (And let me know if you think I should do another one about “Who is your perfect Allie Samberts book boyfriend?”)

by Allie Samberts

My mental health has been crap lately.

Y’all. I have been deep in the muck this summer. I am grateful that I can schedule this newsletter so I can take a breather with my family as we are on a little end-of-summer vacation this week, but I finally feel like a fog is clearing away from my brain, and it is so refreshing to be on the other side of it.

Which also means I figured I should talk a bit about mental health today.

by Allie Samberts

Indie Romance Feature Friday: Megan Becker

You all should know by now that I am a sucker for all things coffee and romance. So when Megan Becker released her debut novel, Coffee Dates, last summer, I was definitely intrigued! AND it’s a slow burn? About an aspiring writer? Sign me up. I’m very excited to have her here today to tell us a little more about her books and her writing process. So, without further ado, here’s Megan!

by Allie Samberts

Anyone interested in a sunshine romance vibey playlist?

Hello and happy Friday afternoon, fellow readers. I know it’s late for a coffee break. We have officially hit that point in the summer when I am only vaguely aware of what day it is, and I wisely decided to take yesterday off for a bike ride and swim with my kids. Buy the time I realized it was Thursday, I was in that state of delicious summer exhaustion that simply cannot be interrupted by a little thing like writing a newsletter. And, here we are.

But I’m going to make it up to you with the sunshine vibey romance playlist of your dreams. Cool? Cool.

by Allie Samberts

“I don’t read indie authors.”

I’ve been seeing this sentiment a lot lately. People won’t or have stopped picking up indie books as a general rule. There are obvious reasons why I think that’s a bad policy to have (I mean, hello, I’m an indie author trying to sell books here), but I can also admit there are some issues with the industry right now. However, I do think if you don’t read indie books as a rule, you’re missing out.

by Allie Samberts

Romance is not “less than.”

And now on to your daily dose of feminism. Long before I ever fell in love with romance novels (pun intended), I was a feminist blogger and op-ed writer (under my real name… you won’t find any of that stuff if you search for Allie Samberts), so this is my wheelhouse, and something I feel passionately about.

*tips head back and forth and hops on her feet like a fighter getting ready to enter the ring* Here we go.

by Allie Samberts

Indie Romance Feature Friday: Ambar Cordova

Ambar is a new indie author who you are definitely going to want to have on your radar. She’s not only an amazing writer of swoon-worthy romance, but she’s also a teacher and an awesome person. She and I connected on Instagram a little while ago, and I personally cannot wait to meet her at Romance Con this September! She’s here with us today to talk a little more about her debut, her work in progress, and her writing process. Without further ado, here’s Ambar!

by Allie Samberts

The reviews are in! Readers are loving Common Grounds.

I’m an author with a pretty thick skin, but I don’t typically read reviews of the books I write. That said, I had a really wonderful PA this time around (hi, Brooke!), and she combed through the reviews so I didn’t have to. I wanted to share some of those awesome reviews with you today! (And make sure you get to the Updates section because I have a few reminders there, too!)

by Allie Samberts

Who wants to read about characters falling in love in their 40s?

Listen. I cannot spell “Millennial” with any consistency. There are entirely too many Ls and Ns, and I kind of feel like half of them are unnecessary? I did a quick search for this post to double check the spelling, and I *think* I caught them all in Common Grounds, but it’s a word that haunts me. A lot. As a Millennial, you’d think I’d know how to spell it (but, as an English teacher, you’d also think I’d know how to spell “plagiarism.” I struggle with that one, too).

Alas, it is a sticky word for me.

I’m not really sure why I felt you all needed to know that. But thank you for joining me in my Millennial misery. Don’t go anywhere, though! There’s more to this Millennial love-fest today, because we’re talking about writing (and reading) older characters.

by Allie Samberts

On Saying Goodbye

It’s a late coffee break today, readers. It’s the last day of school! This week has been kind of messy, so I honestly forgot what day it was yesterday. And all of a sudden it’s Friday, and I hadn’t scheduled a newsletter.

But, better late than never, right? Since it’s the last day of school and I am releasing a book in less than two weeks, I thought it would be fitting to talk a bit about saying goodbye. (Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere.)

by Allie Samberts
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