APRIL 2026

Finally… it’s RELEASE DAY!

At long last…

THE SEA SPINNER, sequel to THE WIND WEAVER, is now available to read. You can pick it up in gorgeous hardcover at your favorite bookstore, listen to the brilliant audio narration, or devour it in one sitting on your e-reader.

However you choose, I cannot wait for all of you to finish it so we can scream about the ending together. Honestly, in more than a decade of publishing, I’ve never had a book produce such explosive feedback from readers…

Consider yourself warned.

I truly can’t wait for everyone to dive into this story. It’s a wild ride in 534 pages. You can expect some tumultuous plot twists, ever-heightening tension, terrifying monsters, complex characters, epic battles, simmering romance, and (as I’ve already warned you) a killer cliffhanger ending.

Once you’ve finished reading, please take a few moments to leave me a review on Amazon and Goodreads. And don’t forget to tag me over on IG in your beautiful book posts. (Find me: @author_julie)

Not only are reviews crucial to a book’s discoverability and success, I actually just… really enjoy reading them. They remind me that you guys are out there in the world, turning the pages of these books I write. Your feedback always makes me feel like I’m not alone in what is, admittedly, an isolating profession.

(I’m not crying, you’re crying!)

Okay, okay. I’m done being dramatic.

Shall we move along to the rest of the month’s newsletter?

Looking back at April as it draws to a close, it was a mixed bag of existential dread about a looming book launch, semi-chaotic attempts at conquering the algorithms in order to market said book, and (far more importantly) writing.

I’m making headway on my new dystopian fantasy duology. The deadline for book one isn’t until the fall, so it’s not quite crunch time yet, but I’m glad I have several months left to dedicate to this project.

I can’t reveal much more about it yet, except to tell you I’m thoroughly enjoying the dark, deadly world I’m building. And the more I get to know this new cast of characters, the more fun I’m having with them.

When I wasn’t hunched over my keyboard working on my manuscript, I was busy with the boring half of author life: marketing. (Yuck.) Blog posts, digital ads, radio interviews… the list goes on and on. Safe to say, I’m happy THE SEA SPINNER has launched so I can go back to being a social media recluse.

At least for a few weeks.

Before I know it, it will be time to start talking about book three, THE !!!!! !!!!!!, which is coming February 2027.

Oh gods, the marketing is already starting, isn’t it?

(Sigh.)

______

One unexpected highlight of the month I wanted to share before we move on: I found my book in an airport bookstore! I’ve seen copies at regular bookstores, of course, but never in a terminal… until I popped into Green Apple Books at SFO a few weeks ago.

There it was, on the shelf. A gorgeous hardcover copy of THE WIND WEAVER! I had to take a picture to commemorate the moment. It totally made my day. (And dulled the pain of my 7-hour flight.)

The second week of April was spent away from my desk, not in Author JJ mode. Instead, I was in Auntie JuJu mode.

I flew out to California to visit my brother’s family. My niece (2 years old) and nephew (5 months old) are both growing up so fast it makes my head spin! It was lovely to put my laptop aside for a while and focus on family. And, I will admit, get some much needed sunshine on my wintery pale skin.

Thankfully, by the time I got back home, New England was finally starting to shake off the winter.

Baby bunnies are nesting outside my cottage, the grass is turning green, the birds are twittering, and the town is filling in all the pot holes that were torn up by constant snowplows. (I swear, my car almost fell into one the other day, they’re so big.) But give me a few more sunny afternoons, and I’ll forget all about the dreary winter, and the icy wind, and all the things I spent December-March complaining about constantly.

Before you ask… Will I even consider moving somewhere the air doesn’t hurt my face for a quarter of the year?

Absolutely not!

After all, half the fun of being a New Englander is complaining about the dramatic weather. As our patron saint Noah Kahan sings: “Forgive my northern attitude, oh, I was raised out in the cold.”

_____

Last weekend was Independent Bookstore Day, and I celebrated by visiting a bunch of local stores in the north-of-Boston area. We are blessed with an abundance of amazing stores here in Massachusetts, so I tried to pick a few I’d never visited before.

• Copper Dog Books (Beverly, MA)

• The Book Shop of Beverly Farms (Beverly, MA)

• Dogtown Books (Gloucester, MA)

• The Bookstore of Gloucester (Gloucester, MA)

• Susie’s Stories (Rockport, MA)

It was the best kind of day. I bought some great books, and met the kindest booksellers along the way. I also signed copies of The Wind Weaver & The Sea Spinner at those who had it in stock.

Lately, I’ve been watching Paradise on Hulu (both seasons are excellent) and continuing my foray into Peaky Blinders (yes, I know, I’m several years late) on Netflix.

As for books, I bought so many during my Indie Bookstore Day crawl, I’m stocked in good reads for months. A few I picked up that I’m particularly excited for: Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke, Circe by Madeline Miller, Starside by Alex Aster, Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe, and Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt.

But I can’t start any of them until I finish my current read. I’m about halfway through, and not ready for it to end yet. It was one of my most anticipated fantasy books of the year. I’m happy to say it’s living up to all my expectations…

This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews.

It’s like Game of Thrones meets Outlander. I’m savoring every page because I know I’ll be so sad when I finish. (And desperately waiting for book two.)

What are you reading? What are you watching?

Feel free to reply to this email and let me know. I’m always looking for great things to fill the creative well.

That just about wraps it up for April!

I hope you’ll pick up a copy of THE SEA SPINNER this week... And, if you do, I sincerely hope you enjoy it. (Though I do apologize in advance for the emotional damage.)

I’ll be back in your inbox at the end of May for another chat about author life, books, and everything in between.

Have a wonderful month!

Until next time…