News

The thing about blogs is they are one more thing to do as an author. Another thing about blogs is I wouldn’t BE an author if it weren’t for blogs. I started my first blog on LiveJournal back in ye olden days of the mid 2000s. It was through blogging that I made many of the author friends I’m still able to connect to online and at various conferences/events. This as in the very early days of social media, back when Facebook was just for college kids and Instagram filters were, well, what our photos actually looked like. We would read each other’s blogs and comment/encourage. We’d also meet up in writerly chat rooms. Chat rooms!

All of this nostalgia to say that I have waffled on erasing my website’s blog, with some entries dating as far back as 2006. If you were so inclined, you can read about my journey to publication, my journey leaving an abusive relationship, my journey to… forgetting to update my website despite publishing three more books. It’s easy to get jaded in this business, or feel invisible, or plain get sick of yourself. Like right now… I’ve probably gone on for too long, right?

If you’re on my website because you’re read my books, thank you for reading. If you haven’t read my books, well, then thank you for visiting, What a treat to make a new acquaintance! What a treat to still be publishing books and writing post it notes to myself like “try to remember website password and then write a new blog post”. Looks like I get a checker today.

Just five more days until you can get to know Willis Wilbur. I don’t think I’ve ever been this excited to have readers meet one of characters. He’s spunky and naive, smart and tenacious. In short, Willis is 100% gumption. Here’s a fun review from School Library Journal…

And here’s a quick UNBOXING video! Lots of publishers have moved to digital ARCs (advanced reader copies), so this is the first time I got to see and hold Willis Wilbur Wows the World in print.

Friends/Readers/Countrymen,

For the last few years, I’ve tried to figure out the “next step in my career.” I hate this term, yet here I am using it. I love love love writing books. But publishing is a tricky biz–with an income that is passable at best and laughable at… well, tax season. It’s a constant hustle that involves tons of side jobs beyond the actual writing, which in and of itself is a glorious beast. I’ve thought about returning to the classroom (and still considering) but there are just so many kids in my house right now. Then one day in March: THERE WERE SO MANY KIDS IN MY HOUSE. Like all the time. That first week of quarantine had me feeling overwhelmed and inadequate. I searched for resources that allowed me to educate/entertain my kids and give me some time to do All The Things That I Still Needed to Do, Dang You Covid!

So I built a Distance Learning website. (yes, my solution was to give myself more work. I’m not Type A, you are). I called my favorite co-creator and writing partner, Robin Mellom, who also teaches 8th grade language arts at the California Virtual Academy. We saw this unique opportunity to build something for parents like me, teachers like Robin, kids like our kids. A resource that allows everyone in front of a screen (which is a lot of everyones) to watch something that teaches how to CREATE vs consume. And that’s what The Pages Between Us Project is: a distance learning resource that teaches your kid and their buddy (co-creator) how to write a story together.

We’ve launched with the first few videos with more releasing every few weeks. There’s also a kid lit calendar of whatever virtual author visits we can find (authors/educators: feel free to ad your next event), writing dares, lesson ideas… the list goes on. This summer, we’re creating an in-depth, personalized advanced writing course for kids grades 3-8. Right now, all the content is Free. So come on over and find some educational fun for your kids during these last few weeks of school, summer and beyond. www.thepagesbetweenus.com

XO, Lindsey and Robin

Big News! More Books! For you! From me!

Unleash the exclamation points!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I made a road trip detour in Virginia City to see the second most haunted building in Nevada, the Old Washoe Club (although the first most haunted is not presently accessible to visitors, so really I saw the first most haunted & accessible building in Nevada). It was probably the seventh, nah eighth most haunted place I’ve experienced, which was sorta off-brand considering the whole Ghost Town! pitch. Anyway, the real wonder happened on the outskirts of town, with this row of knick-knacky parking spots next to a mine with zero public access. The whole set up made no sense.

And then there was the TARDIS.

I tried to explain the wonder and curiosity of it all to my nine-year-old, but she’s never known the Doctor and really wanted to stop at the barrel of candy shop. Blessedly, the inevitable conversation swirled around this question: “If you could travel in a Tardis, why would you go?”

Not where.

Not when.

Why?

Why would you elect to take a pic next to the thing without even bothering to open the door? Why does another time or place warrant your attention?

My daughter and I agreed we wouldn’t. Go. We liked the now that we experienced that day, with a bag of candy and miles and miles to chat. But I keep thinking about that Tardis. About the reason WHY we need to get away, especially kids. How sometimes that travel happens in a story, even if it’s just a flash, a blip, a breath. And that’s the Why I’m taking to the page today, as I try to sort through the nonsense and injustice of the world. We need to provide emotional  TARDIS for kids, or at the very least trap doors.