Hello my name is Sea Slug
August 2023
Hi friends,
Happy last hiccup of summer!
Here’s what’s going on with me:
Professionally—I’m trying my hardest to finish a first draft of a book in September and I have a revision due in October.
Personally—I moved! Still in Philly, but now I actually have an office space. I am thrilled! Meanwhile, my brother, his girlfriend, and my favorite dog in the whole world are in town, so I’m trying to soak up as much time as possible with them.
…Even though Bagel is doing everything in her power to keep me from working.
As much as I talk about productivity and working on six projects at once, I think there’s value in unplugging sometimes. Not just from the internet—but from all productivity. I want to talk about walking away from Grind Culture. Or at least hitting the pause button on it.
Grind Culture makes us feel as though we MUST be productive every second. Any time not spent working is time wasted, right my fellow worker bees? (My family teases my dad for this very thing: he must some sort of productive activity at all times. Without one, he gets very antsy.)
“And if you’re not productive,” Grind Culture tells us, “then you should feel guilty. You lazy loafer. You good-for-nothing do-nothing.”
Rinse and repeat a horrible cycle of feeling burnt out, taking a break, feeling guilty for taking a break the entire time you’re not being productive, going back to work without feeling rested, burning out again. Over and over until you die.
Pitstop here for this BRILLIANT comic from the very talented Jessica Olien:
Personally, I’ve never been the type of writer who writes every day. I write INTENSELY and quickly—like a bonfire. When I feed the fire it burns brightly—but there are days where my productivity level is nothing more than ashes.
I used to feel guilty about the way I work. I don’t anymore. Because even though I am for sure the type of person who lives for work, I recognize that it’s healthy to walk away sometimes. Set those boundaries. Take a breather. Be UNproductive.
Some days are just for family time. Or for getting lost in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Or for adventuring in a book (that I’m reading for fun, not because I have to). Or for a meandering walk. Or for marathoning TV until my eyeballs fall out.
Or for afternoon naps, just doing nothing at all.
Wishing you days like that, not just to end your summer with—but all year. Carve out that nothing time. Embrace the lazy.
What I’m writing
The Mythics series (books 1 and 2 out now): Have you ever wanted to bond with a mythical beast? Run around the world sans parents? Make new friends on an epic quest? This series is for you!!! Funny, exciting, warm, and tender. With delightful illustrations by Mirelle Ortega:
The Mythics 3 (May 2024): Well… I have some good news and bad news. The bad news is that the release date got pushed from January to May for reasons completely outside Mirelle’s and my control. The good news is that you’ll have a MUCH shorter wait between Mythics 3 and Mythics 4, which is still coming out in Fall 2024. And Kit and the Nine-Tailed Fox is completely worth the wait: every time I’ve read it, I fall more and more in love with this book and this series in general. Kit is so humorous and sarcastic—her voice makes me grin. The plot is twisty and non-stop exciting. Cover reveal coming soon!
The Mythics 4 (Fall 2024): I have just received the first revision notes for Mythics 4, and here’s a direct quote from my editor: “I absolutely loved reading this draft—what a delight! Ember’s a terrific narrator, and I love the way [spoiler redacted]. I think you already got this story to a really strong place!” An auspicious start!!! Friends, I’m so excited to share this book with you!
Case Closed series (out now): A back-to-school read that will have kids glued to the page… AND perfect for spooky season (mysteries always remind me of autumn!). If you haven’t gotten the kiddos in your life these interactive mysteries where the reader makes the choices, now’s the perfect time to start:
Trauma Project: Got notes back from my agent on Trauma Project, and she didn’t hate it!!! WOOT! Always terrifying to send something new for the first time, especially a story so personal and raw. My agent’s letter was very helpful—with some incredible ideas on how to make my next draft even stronger.
Spooky Season Project: I’ve been posting some sneaky pics of my whiteboard on Instagram… This is the book I’m trying to finish right now. Wish me luck!
What I’m reading
Some snippets into my summer reading:
Mihi Ever After 2: A Giant Problem written by Tae Keller and illustrated by Geraldine Rodríguez: This book is adorable. And so whip smart. It uses the fantasy genre and fairy tale archetypes to take on huge themes for kids—like the billionaire problem. I just love this series so much, and I can’t wait for the remaining two books to come out. If you like The Mythics, I know you’ll enjoy the girl gang friendship and fantasy escapades of this book too!
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang: I read the publishing buzz book of the summer. And what did I think? I thought it was incredible. Lives up to the hype. Some have complained to me that the main character is just so unlikeable… but isn’t that exactly the point? It was like a horrifying crash I could not look away from. I’ve been so curious to know what non-publishing people think about this book… To me, Yellowface was very in the weeds of the industry, and that’s exactly what I loved about it. So detailed, so accurate, so cutting. Highly recommend this book, especially for publishing people and publishing hopefuls.
The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell: I’m almost done this one, and this book is bananas good. Imagine what would happen if there was a murder inside the tent of The Great British Bakeoff . . . That’s The Golden Spoon! It’s cozy, it’s twisty, it’s positively scrumptious. The characters are so well-drawn, the mystery is intricately plotted/paced, and I literally get hungry every time I read. The fact that the author is a wonderful person? Icing on the cake! Highly recommend The Golden Spoon—to be read with a dessert in hand.
Where to find me
Sept 23, 2023: Rye Book Festival in New York
Sept 30, 2023: Chappaqua Book Festival in New York
Oct 1, 2023: Oxford Valley B&N in Pennsylvania for a reading, greeting, and signing.
Oct 7, 2023: Warwick Book Festival in New York
Click the links for details about each event. I cannot WAIT to see you next month!!!
Saying goodbye
I hope you guillotine the part of your brain that is tethered to work even when you’re not working. Run away from responsibility! Refill the well! And don’t feel guilty about it!
Encouragement and lazy-love from your favorite sometimes sea slug,
Lauren
Yes to embracing laziness! Reading BURNOUT by Emily Nagoski was so enlightening for me -- she says nobody who worried about being lazy is actually lazy, we’re just doing too much all the time and need some rest!