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What’s New With Katrina Kittle
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I am proud that every single novel of mine has at least one character who is somewhere on the glorious LGBTQIA+ rainbow—just like my real life is populated with family members, dear friends, many students, and readers who represent those communities. I see you, I love you, and I’ll always vote to protect your rights!
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How I spent my summer vacation
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Kat’s Pajamas is coming to you a week late due to my recent travels to New Mexico and Colorado. This year, we rented a car and drove a new route, making fun stops in Nashville, Memphis (where we saw The Peabody Hotel ducks on a day that the Duck Master—yes, that’s a real job—introduced a new fleet of ducks on their inaugural march from the elevator to the fountain), Little Rock (where we checked out the memorial to the Little Rock Nine), Oklahoma City, and Amarillo (where we spraypainted our names at the Cadillac Ranch). In Albuquerque, we spent two days wandering Old Town, savoring the watermelon sunsets, and having delicious meals with my friend Rachel Moulton and her family. We fell in love with Taos, where we had fresh frybread at the Taos Pueblo and wandered art galleries galore. Then, it was on to three days at the magical Bar NI Ranch in Weston, Colorado, with my aunt Peggy and my cousin Rhonda and her family. We rode horses, cut cattle, hiked a steep mountain trail to some petroglyphs, saw a baby horse’s first hours on the planet, and played some pretty competitive Bananagrams. We flew home from Colorado Springs, and now it’s back to reality…but I’m pretty in love with my reality, so that’s all good.
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June is also
Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat Month
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Here are some before and after pictures of our sweet little orphan Annie. She was found three summers ago weighing only 2 pounds, too weak to stand or walk, and about a day away from starving literally to death. In a moment of social-media-at-its-best, a dear friend from high school who follows the Fairborn Trap-Neuter-Release program, sent me Annie’s picture and said, “I know you’re still grieving Joey Cat, but this girl has been so abused and it’s a miracle she’s alive. Something tells me you two might be able to love each other.” (Thank you, Tammy Lake). ☺) Now, I can’t imagine my life without this formerly feral little goblin. Everyone, please neuter and spay your pets. And please see if you have room in your heart and home to rescue some sweet being.
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THE WEDDING PEOPLE, by Alison Espach I’m so grateful to friends who told me, “This is your kind of book, all about found family.” Phoebe Stone arrives at a gorgeous inn alone, with no luggage, wearing a beautiful dress. She’s mistaken by everyone in the lobby for one of the “wedding people,” but she’s the only guest who isn’t there for the big event. Phoebe is actually there to end her life. Funny and so tender, this book is all about the chance encounters that can impact our lives. TANTRUM, by Rachel Eve Moulton In this fantastic feminist horror novel, an exhausted mother thinks her newborn daughter might be a monster…and she’s right. Thea doesn’t know whether to be terrified or proud of her baby demon girl, as she’s haunted by sinister memories from her own childhood. Utterly original, and full of Rachel’s awesome dark humor, this book explores familial debt, duty, and the darker side of motherhood. Tantrum releases on August 5, but do yourself a favor and preorder it now!
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In May, I wrote about Allison’s newest novel, Home of the American Circus. I loved this book so much! If you haven’t yet, I urge you to check it out—memorable, endearing characters I haven’t stopped thinking about since the last page. Here’s a conversation I had with Allison. IN ONE SENTENCE, CAN YOU CAPTURE WHAT INSPIRED Home of the American Circus? Way back in 2013, I had been watching and reading a lot of very male homecoming stories—October Road, several Ed Burns movies, etc.—and I started wishing for a story about the complicated relationship dynamics of a woman returning to her hometown after a long time away, so eventually, Freya appeared in my mind. I'M A HUGE LOVER OF RESCUE PETS. CAN YOU TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR ROXY AND BOSLEY (below left, with Allison)? YOUR PHOTOS OF THEM HELP ME PERSIST IN THESE DARK DAYS. We got Roxy from Underdog Rescue and thought she was a Jack Russell/Cattle Dog mix, but it turns out she’s a Husky/Chihuahua/Dachshund/Toy Poodle/Akita/Chow mix. She’s amazing, and opinionated. She fills our life with joy. And then this past November, someone posted about Bosley (below left, with Allison) on our neighborhood message board. He was at the local shelter and on the euthanasia list because he was so stressed out in his kennel. The day before what would have been his last day, Underdog helped me pull him as a foster…and then we all fell in love with him and realized he had to be ours. He’s a Chihuahua/Cattle Dog/Pekingese/Bull Dog mix and the most snuggly little guy. I think it’s funny that we thought we were adopting a Cattle Dog mix when we got Roxy (below right, with Bosley) and then did adopt a Cattle Dog mix because Bosley looked a lot like Roxy. Watching the two of them play together is wild and wonderful. I’m so happy they’re both safe and they’re ours.
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CAN YOU TALK ABOUT YOUR AMAZING "TRUEHEARTS COLLECTIVE" AND WHAT SPARKED IT? Art for commerce is often a brutal experience, and having a community of creative people makes all the difference, so I started the Truehearts Collective. We have four meetings a month over Zoom for all things creative—from discussing books and films to talking with visiting artists (like you!) to having some free time together to bring up the creative problems we’re experiencing. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done. The group members are so caring and supportive. I feel fortunate to know them. We have a very supportive and encouraging environment and it’s good for the soul to cheer for kind, talented people. IF YOU ARE PROCRASTINATING/AVOIDING WRITING, WHAT WOULD WE MOST LIKELY FIND YOU DOING? In April, I started a podcast called Now That We Think About It with my friend Alice Carbone-Tench, and I love everything about it. It’s so nice to have a non-writing project that’s also creatively—and even spiritually—fulfilling. Also, as a writer who spends so much time writing alone, it’s lovely to have a team project with such a deeply thoughtful and intelligent person. I think with writing—especially when I’m stuck or facing something that’s going to be difficult to write emotionally—I do best when I have another productive project lined up. Otherwise, my procrastination can be more destructive, like endless scrolling, bingeing a TV show, or ruminating in unhealthy ways. I see the podcast as productive procrastination, and I’m thankful for it. WHAT IS YOUR GO-TO SNACK WHILE WRITING? Popcorn with lime juice and salt. But it’s a little messy so I usually end up taking a break to eat vs. eating while working.
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I love bringing my classes and workshops to schools, libraries, and organizations. Lately, my Happy Class has been in demand, and I totally get it: Every time I watch the news I feel like the wind is getting punched out of me. I love to share the simple practices that help us hang on to joy and calm when stress/negativity are swirling all around us, because these days I need the reminders of those practices myself. Are you hungry for happiness, too? Get a full description of the Happy Class and my other offerings on my website’s Events & Classes page. I can travel to or do virtual sessions for groups that are not in the Dayton area.
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Good customer service The fabulous little monsters created by artist Gaby Henner (pictured with us, below)! (See more on her Instagram.) Getting to meet Gaby in Albuquerque, and adding three more pieces of her amazing monster art to our home (Gaby is warm, funny, and lovely, and if we were locals, we’re sure we’d be best friends and hang out with her!)
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The duck march at The Peabody Hotel in Memphis Sipping a divine lavender latte at brunch at the gorgeous Los Poblanos in Albuquerque Hours spent gardening Meeting a baby horse who’s only hours old and watching her spindly, wondrous legs take bold if tottering steps Competitive Bananagrams with my cousin Rhonda (and my Aunt Peggy, who smoked us both) The quirky, delightful murder mystery The Residence on Netflix (Uzo Aduba is fabulous as detective Cordelia Cupp solving a murder in the White House.) The hollyhocks in New Mexico (They are everywhere, even growing out of concrete, asphalt, and sand.) Being reunited with pets after vacation (Annie slept on me the whole first night, waking me repeatedly with her purring little head butts—I didn’t mind one bit.) Good friends who pick you up at the airport (Thanks, Dave and Keith!) Getting ready in your own bathroom after being on the road Sleeping in your own bed with your own pillows after weeks of hotel beds Realizing you’re happy to return to your own life/home after vacation (even a really, really great vacation) When all your flights are on time and your luggage arrives safely (feels like a miracle these days) Celebrating twelve years since I accepted a dinner invite from my friend Mindy, who wanted me to meet “this great guy” she knew (That great guy [pictured below] became my fella and we combined households a year and a half later. Eternal gratitude to Mindy and Greg!)
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WHY REASONS TO BE HAPPY? REMEMBER: The pursuit of happiness is an inalienable right guaranteed by the Declaration of Independence. But think about how it’s worded: You have to pursue it. Making a Reasons to Be Happy list is a way to start and stay on track. Noticing the little joys trains you to see more of them.
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I’m grateful to you all for subscribing. Hang in there, be safe, and be good
to each other out there.
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Check out my website to read about
and purchase my books.
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