What’s New With Katrina Kittle

AUGUST 2025

Welcome to August—
still in the dumpster fire.

We had a little gathering on the fifth of July, with this dumpster fire piñata. It felt good to bash and break something, and to laugh really hard with friends. That laughter felt healing, because things are pretty stressful these days, right? Political division, the erosion of democracy, wildfires, floods, mass shootings, ongoing war and horrific human suffering … Life right now feels like a relentless onslaught of anxiety-producing news, doesn’t it?

So, this issue of Kat’s Pajamas is a gentle reminder to protect your HAPPINESS. 

I’m NOT suggesting we practice toxic positivity, or that we put our heads in the sand. Many people feel like maybe they shouldn’t be happy when there are so many people worldwide who are suffering. Or maybe you’re so focused on activism and making things better that it’s easy to dismiss your personal happiness as trivial. But, you don’t have to be in denial. Happiness is part of self-care. And you need to take care of yourself when times are tough.

Experiencing personal happiness and being an awake, aware human being on this planet are not mutually exclusive.

So, here’s your Reasons to Be Happy List right up front:

Air conditioning (And let’s be happy for Willis Carrier, who invented it.)

That in Costa Rica, there’s a place called Territorio De Zaguates—“Land of the Strays”—a massive, no-kill dog shelter where visitors can hike through the hills alongside hundreds of rescued dogs 

That at Lincolnshire Wildlife Park, staff had to separate five African grey parrots for swearing at visitors and laughing together 

Deviled eggs (Gimme, like, thirty, please.)

Trey Parker and Matt Stone, creators of South Park and Book of Mormon (Hee hee. I’ve loved them for decades, but the premiere episode of their 27th season made them my heroes.) 

Friends who offer to help (and mean it) when times are a little tough

A refreshing, spicy vodka mule in a frosty copper cup

Lightning bugs 

Piñatas

National Public Radio*

*Please support
your local NPR Station.

I cannot imagine my life without NPR—I listen to it every time I’m in the car. I start my day with “Morning Edition,” and I love “All Things Considered,” “This American Life,” and “Fresh Air,” just to name a few.

Now that the Trump administration has cut more than a billion dollars from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (which grants money to PBS, NPR, and their affiliate stations throughout the country), many in public media are warning that public radio stations, particularly in rural America—where most communities no longer even have local newspapers—will close, causing those areas to become news deserts and leading to even more spread of dis- and misinformation. Silencing those who report the news accurately is a deliberate and dangerous move.

My local NPR station is WYSO, in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Their tagline is “Fact-based journalism in service of democracy.” 

If you value free, unique local programming, emergency alerts, and unbiased news, please do what you can to support YOUR local NPR station. I’ve been a sustaining member of WYSO for over a decade now, but I increased my monthly donation after the funding rescission. Every bit truly helps—even a monthly donation of just $5 (heck, even a one-time donation of $5) helps if that’s all you can manage. If you’re in the Dayton area and want to support WYSO, you can contribute here. 

If you don’t have a local station, go to NPR.org, where you can donate on the home page. Thank you.

with Rachel Eve Moulton

In my June newsletter, I talked about Rachel’s new feminist horror novel, Tantrum. This fabulous novel releases on August 4, and trust me: You want this book! When Jason and I were in New Mexico in late May, Rachel made us amazing tamales, her husband Dan made us really strong margaritas, and we hung out with her family in their garden as the watermelon sun set in the desert. Her awesome daughter Violet filmed this interview in Rachel’s writing office, with Hatch the dog making a cameo appearance.

WANT TO SEE ME INTERVIEW RACHEL IN PERSON ABOUT HER NEW BOOK? Please join us at the woman-owned bookstore STORYLINE near Columbus, Ohio, on August 14 at 6 PM! The event is FREE, but you DO need to register for a ticket.

Can’t make the event? Be sure to get your hands on Tantrum from your favorite indie book store!

Speaking of indie bookstores …

I’m so excited that Blue Dog Books opens in Springboro, Ohio, on August 4. I hope you’ll check them out and will support this charming store that was built in 1854 as a general store. I have an author event at Blue Dog Books on Thursday, September 25, at 7 PM. Mark your calendar and come join me!

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 10, so register early. Get more info and registration here.

Bonus Edition!

Hosting writer friends (above) in my garden (I cannot imagine the writing life without these remarkable women.)

Stephen Colbert

The joy of discovery while working on a brand new novel draft

Seeing my very first gladiolas bloom

Re-reading a beloved book (I’ve recently re-read A Town Called Solace, by Mary Lawson, and The Littlest Library, by Poppy Alexander.)

Having my wonderful cousin Rhonda (below) and her family visit for a weekend—so much laughter, probably too much coffee, and many rounds of competitive Bananagrams!

My badass Aunt Peggy’s amazing carrot cake cupcakes

The Sweetheart sushi roll at Wasabi in Springboro, Ohio (And the 784 roll. And the Hairy Monkey roll. You get the idea…)

***

If you don’t pay attention to your happiness, you could easily end up with outrage fatigue, where you just get numb to all the Hard Things causing anxiety in the world. We need happy lists now more than ever. 

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.

Check out my website to read about 
and purchase my books.