|
$$PLAIN_TEXT_PREVIEW$$
What’s New With Katrina Kittle
|
Happy second birthday to
Morning in This Broken World!
|
|
As Morning in This Broken World turns two years old, I’m full of gratitude. Thank you to everyone who: Wrote a review Posted about the novel on social media Recommended the novel to a book club Recommended the novel to a friend Asked a library to order a copy
Because of you, Morning is still thriving! It’s never too late to do any of the above—and doing so insures that the book has a long, healthy life. A book is always new to a reader who hasn’t heard of it yet.
|
Back to school and
what feels like a new year
|
|
By the time you read this, I will have completed my first week of the fall semester at the University of Dayton. The start of a new school year always feels more like the real start to a new year to me than January does. I love the energy of this time and season! Above is my first-day-of-school photo! Compare the flowers in this corner with the early versions in the screenshot from my July video—all those bulbs and seeds have flourished. My September is pretty darn overbooked and busy. In addition to teaching full time, I have a lot of author events (local and out-of-town) and other classes—read on for more details. I’ll need to stay focused and on top of things to get it all done. I don’t know about you, but when I’m crazy busy, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. You know what helps? Focusing on your own happiness—which is self-care in troubled/busy times. So, let’s get right to some Reasons to Be Happy! “My Unsung Hero”—a wonderful, heart-lifting series from one of my favorite NPR shows, Hidden Brain Klondike bars (What would you do for one?) The fox, nicknamed “Swiper,” at Grand Teton National Park who has stolen at least thirty-two shoes from campers Blue Dog Books, a charming, beautiful new independent bookstore in Springboro, Ohio (Come see me at my September 25 event there—details below! Support ALL indie bookstores!) Collecting stickers to adorn my new laptop
|
|
Gavin Newsom’s brilliant trolling of the orange narcissist gasbag on social media The fall menu at ContempoRoast (The entire thing is 🔥, but my greatest happiness comes from the Sweater Weather latte: maple syrup, salted caramel, espresso, milk. Is that the best name for a latte or what?) Annie Cat’s I-know-you’re-in-there game whenever a door is closed between us (I love how at the end of the video, she’s like, “What? It wasn’t me.” and walks away.)
|
|
Melani Sanders and her We Do Not Care Club on Facebook (Chin hair, separating laundry, your opinion: Check out her reels to find out what else perimenopausal women do not care about—and add your own entries! I want to invite her to a party.) The fact that Spectral Bats greet their friends with batwing “hugs” (Google them, and you’ll see amazing images of their cuddles.) MORE REASONS TO BE HAPPY AT END OF THIS NEWSLETTER!
|
Need some
revision inspiration?
|
|
IN-PERSON CLASS STARTS IN SEPTEMBER! Have you reached the celebratory goal of completing a manuscript? Are you wondering “What next?” I’m teaching a three-week class for Word’s Worth Writing Connections that could be just what you need. Class runs Thursdays September 18 and October 2 and 9 at the Wilmington-Stroop Library. (And that’s not a typo: We skip a week between the first and second classes. That’s for you to do some homework.) I’ll offer easy, practical guidelines and checklists for approaching changes—both big and small—in your own work. NOTE: You do NOT have to have a completed manuscript to take or benefit from this class. Class size is limited to ten and is already half full, so register soon! Get more info and register here.
|
|
My favorite book last month was The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson. I loved this book so much—a great story of family secrets, loss, found family, and love. Circus life! Sanitariums! DNA tests! And gorgeous writing from gorgeous human Ellen Baker. Check her website for more info and/or to buy.
|
|
I first met Ellen in 2007 at the South Dakota Festival of Books in Deadwood, South Dakota. We were on a panel together, and I’d just finished reading her first novel, Keeping the House. I loved that book so much that as I was reading it on the plane, I heard a flight attendant say, “Ma’am?” and realized everyone else had exited the plane while I still sat there reading! I had dinner with Ellen and two other authors in Kevin Costner’s casino, with his costumes from his movies mounted on the walls. We ate right underneath the baseball uniform from Bull Durham. Then, in 2018, Ellen was driving through the Dayton area doing research for another novel, and we got to host her here for the Fourth of July. She recently answered a few questions for me. WHEN/WHERE IS YOUR IDEAL WRITING TIME (AND WHEN/WHERE DO YOU ACTUALLY WRITE EVEN WHEN THINGS AREN’T IDEAL)? I write first thing in the morning (sometimes this is 4 or 5 a.m., sometimes as late as 8 a.m.) until noon-ish. I write everywhere in my house, depending on my mood and the weather. Sofa, dining room table, desk in the upstairs office, kitchen counter, front porch. If I’m writing a first draft, I prefer to be reclined on the sofa. For editing, I’m more likely to sit up straight at a desk or table. If the weather’s nice, I love to be outside. WHAT ARE THREE THINGS GIVING YOU JOY OR DELIGHT THESE DAYS? Living on the coast of Maine (lobsters, oysters, the ocean, peace and quiet, and a wonderful community of neighbors), my family (which includes my amazing partner, Dustin, and my extraordinary, spunky, and beautiful cat, Moxie), and doing work that I love (writing novels!). (I suppose everyone thinks their own cat is extraordinary. :) )
Katrina’s note: Everyone’s cat IS extraordinary.
|
|
IN ONE SENTENCE, CAN YOU CAPTURE WHAT INSPIRED
THE HIDDEN LIFE OF CECILY LARSON? I started with a question that was inspired by my lifelong experience of living in small towns in the Midwest and in Maine: Would it be possible to keep a secret, living all your life in one small town, and, if you managed it, what would happen when that secret came out? WHAT'S NEXT FOR YOU? My next novel is Summerland Cove, due out June 2, 2026. Apples Never Fall meets Maine in a novel of family secrets, summer celebrations, and putting things back together again after they’ve all fallen apart.
|
Ready for a
manuscript evaluation?
|
|
I’ve just opened up one rare spot for editing in late October/early November. If you have a manuscript nearing completion and are ready for some in-depth, detailed feedback, reach out at katrina@katrinakittle.com so I can share the nitty gritty details and we can discuss if we’re the right match!
|
|
BONUS EDITION First day of school energy! Thunderstorms at night Having my friend Rachel Moulton in town and eating Graeter’s ice cream sundaes with her Graeter’s ice cream (My favorite flavors are Black Raspberry Chip and Salted Caramel Chip.) Growing my first and one-and-only hollyhock (Take that, New Mexico!)
|
|
Paella on the Patio at El Meson: A fabulous fundraiser for A Special Wish Foundation on Tuesday, September 9 (Two of my favorites pairing up—swoon! Get details here.) Garden harvest The first cool days after a long heatwave—windows open, sweatshirt on, actually feeling chilly…divine! Things are still a mess on the political landscape. Keep doing what you can to help, but be sure to focus on the good, as well. This quote really speaks to me: “Such a strange and frightening time. Beauty won't save us, but it can remind us of what deserves to be saved.” —David Corbett So DON’T slog through these awful times with dread and despair—be active and pursue your own happiness (even while fighting the good fight—especially while fighting the good fight!).
|
Take good care, stay safe, be kind, and thank you for subscribing! Know someone who’d enjoy this newsletter? Please share!
|
Check out my website to read about
and purchase my books.
|
|
|
|
