Head scratchers and housekeeping…
Things I’ve been thinking about and stuff I wanna share :)
There’s some stuff I’ve been thinking about lately, but just in case I forget as I start writing this post, here’s the list:
Joshua Hong
Are publishing secrets a real thing?
Let me love you!
So, many of you may already know, but I am a big fan of the K-pop group SEVENTEEN. There are 13 members (I know, I know…why aren’t there 17? Long story…) and each has their own talents they bring to the table that somehow works in making up a really cohesive group. They are KNOWN for the immaculate synchronization in their dance choreography.
Which feels like shouldn’t be possible when you’ve got so many members and one of those members is Joshua Hong.
This is Joshua. Korean American, good looking guy, great vocals, sweet sweet soul. But, not a great dancer. Not awful. He does all the steps right. But he has no…groove. Or as some in the dance circles might say, he’s not “in the pocket”. And it REALLY came to light with their new song, “Love, Money, Fame” because this is a R&B/hip hop song with a swagger choreo that Joshua just…can’t do.
And though in the past, because he gets the basic steps right, he can kinda hide, it’s more obvious with this song that he doesn’t fit. (Joshua biases don’t come for me. I love him. And I have a point to all of this!)
Anywhooo, I’ve been thinking about my “place” in publishing lately. It’s really hard not to try and assess where you fit in the midst of all the authors and books out there. And I feel a bit like Joshua. I do all the steps…and sometimes that works in letting me hide in a group. But sometimes, it just highlights that I’m…not as good? This isn’t a woe-is-me thing. I’m just figuring it all.
Like in the YA world…I write YA books for young people. But I’m not really invited to any YA events. I don’t seem to be part of the conversations about YA authors. There’s nothing about me and my books that stands out from the crowd. And yet what makes me different (writing YA genre romance centering characters of color), makes me feel like I’m not ‘in the pocket’ with YA like others seem to be. And I don’t feel confident or comfortable because of it.
I also consider myself a part of the broader Romance community. But as a YA romance author, I’m always kind of on the outskirts. And though I do get more exposure with Romancelandia, there are enough readers out there that aren’t interested in YA that it doesn’t always convert to book sales for me. I try to do the right steps and yet, again, the best I feel I can do is fit in awkwardly and not be outed as a “non-dancer” (so to speak).
In any case, all of this to say, I couldn’t imagine SEVENTEEN without Joshua. He sings some of the key parts to songs I love. And his goofiness has provided some of my favorite laughs. He has a role. It’s just not as a dancer.
I have a role. I just have to figure out what it is. I bring something to this writing thing and this book world. And hopefully, whatever it is is enough to let me stay around awhile. :)
Completely random aside, but can I pull off the recent leopard trend? I just feel very RHONJ. Let me know your thoughts…because I bought both this skirt and a pair of leopard printed jeans. ha!
Okay, so the reason I’ve been going through this Joshua Hong existential crisis is that I’m now going to be stepping into the world of adult romance. I know I’ve mentioned this before. In fact, I think the first time I spoilered the news was on THE NAME DROP book tour which was in September of 2023. Because I signed a contract and cashed the checks over a year ago!
And yet……we still haven’t announced this officially and publicly. In part because we were sorting things out with my YA book release schedule. And then, because my book deal was a little unconventional, AFTER everything was signed, we had to figure out WHAT I was gonna write/publish. And for the last few months, we’ve been going back and forth about a title. And so maybe it all makes sense it’s taken so long.
But it’s TAKEN SO LONG.
So, because I’m not convinced publishing secrets are actually secrets, or at least that they don’t need to be held under lock and key, I’ll just give the deets here and now and we can all pretend to be surprised and excited when (if?) I ever announce. :)
My debut adult romantic comedy is coming November 2025 from Canary Street Press and is tentatively titled JULIA SONG IS UNDATEABLE. It takes place in the world of K-beauty, and the equally challenging world of dating in the Korean community of southern California. Ha!
I think it’s funny, and tender, and family focused, and has something to say about the expectations put on women to “have it all”. I wrote it back in 2021 when I had just left my corporate career so there’s a raw truth to it…and I feel incredibly proud of it.
I’m also scared shitless because I LOVE ROMANCE and I want to be ACCEPTED and ADORED and NOT just be Joshua Hong. HA! So I’ve put a lot of pressure on myself and just hope you’ll all love this book too.
More to come!
Lastly, and then I’ll let you go…I’ve recently decided that I’m just gonna mesh all my obsessions together and not compartmentalize. Thus, the Kpop reference in my author newsletter? And also, how we’ve come to the next few announcements.
I’m running an early-bird-gets-a-prize giveaway. EACH MONTH leading up until May 13, 2025 when THE ROMANCE RIVALRY comes out, I’ll be hosting a giveaway. To be eligible, you simply have to preorder the book or request it from your local library. DO BOTH THINGS and you’ve entered twice. The cool thing? Once you enter, you’ve entered for EVERY month’s giveaway moving forward. So the earlier you do the thing, the more chances you have to win prizes. October’s prize is a pair of Adidas Gazelle sneakers that match the book cover! You still have until October 31st to preorder/request and fill out the google form in my linktree.
And as an early announcement, here is the prize for November’s early bird giveaway. If you ever hang out with me to go anywhere, you’ll see me wearing my crossbody Baggu nylon bag. I love it. It’s comfy, cute, and holds everything. I’m a big fan of Baggu and they just so happen to have a selection of bags that match my cover perfectly! ha! AND, they ship internationally. SO…you know the drill by now. Preorder and/or library request THE ROMANCE RIVALRY and fill out the google form, to be eligible to win ALL the bags shown here. If you’ve already done so for October, you’re already eligible for November’s giveaway. No need to resubmit. AND THIS ONE IS OPEN INTERNATIONALLY. Winner selected December 1st.
Enter to win the Baggu cloud bag, small nylon crescent, zip duck bag, and the nylon messenger. (Winner selects which colors they want of each bag. If supplies of any of these styles run out online, the winner will receive a $200 giftcard to Baggu instead)
And finally…I’ve decided to put all the custom mechanical keyboards I’ve been building up for sale! The cost is for parts and shipping only. NO UPCHARGE! I’m not doing this to make money. I just like building pretty keyboards and want everyone to have one. :) So here’s my new keyboard shop. Feel free to peruse and purchase. I think all of these are great quality and really cute!
I didn’t read anything in October, if you can believe it. And I don’t think I watched anything either. HA! I’ve been a SLOTH…and distracted. But will pick up on all that next month.
LOVE YOU!!!
Laterzzzz…
SUSAN IS COMING TO ADULT ROMANCE!!!!!!!!!!! I am very excited about this. But I will also re-perform my excitement once it's "officially" announced lol. I also really love the Joshua Hong comparison and this idea of being "in the pocket" versus not with something -- I can relate!!!
Susan, I am so inspired by you! First of all, I love how fun and creative your books are, but the newsletters you send out and your IG content is so honest and cool! As a writer, I always appreciate your honesty and how you navigate the publishing world. I literally take notes and save your newsletters because of that! Thank you for being honest about navigating the publishing space. I see you as a necessity to YA romance and I hope more festivals see that too!!! If you ever come to northern Ohio, I’ll be there :)
Also I loved the Joshua reference! I’m a Carat too, so I’m here for all the Seventeen references :) I can’t wait for your next YA and your adult debut!!! Cheering you on!! 👏