20 Comments

I completely agree with you about Savannah, Haley. I've only visited Savannah once in my life, but if I could choose anywhere in the world to settle down forever, that city would be on the short list. Also, I second your motion that there are not enough MG male protagonists. Same thing in teen/YA. Hoping that the novel I'm working on now will be something that tween and teen boys can enjoy.

Expand full comment
author

Same! Can't move for the next several years but I would not be opposed to living in Savannah!

Expand full comment
Jan 30Liked by Haley Stewart

We are going to Savannah next month and have plans to visit Flannery O’Connor’s house/museum too! I’m so excited! Do you have any specific restaurant & bookstore recommendations?

Expand full comment
author

Bookstore: E. Shaver is amazing!

Restaurants: It's hard to go wrong. We loved: Collins Quarter, Huey's, Shuk, The Grey (pricey), Lulu's Chocolate Bar, Clary's Cafe.

Expand full comment

Thanks so much!!

Expand full comment
Jan 30Liked by Haley Stewart

I give a lot of weight to your book recommendations and you were not wrong about Everything Sad Is Untrue. Wonderful book, can't wait to read it with my kids in a year or two.

Expand full comment
author

Goodness. That book. Just so good.

Expand full comment

Looks like so much fun! I'm so glad you wonderful writers take the time to do this kind of thing together. In addition to being very wise for you yourselves, it sets a good example!

Expand full comment
author

Thanks, Dixie!

Expand full comment
Jan 31Liked by Haley Stewart

Savannah is beautiful! I recognize one, but who are the other writers with you? Would love to check out some of their work.

Expand full comment
author

Claire Swinarski, Tsh Oxenreider, and Sarah Mackenzie. All such amazing gals.

Expand full comment

Ahhh!! I thought I recognized the women in those pictures! It brings me so much joy that you all are in a writing group together!! I can’t explain it! I have enjoyed things all of you have written and you have all impacted my life in different ways. Never met any of you so this might seem weird but just wanted to share how much I love this! I’m not a writer but I am a total bibliophile- I bet the conversations absolutely filled your cup. :) what a blessing!

Expand full comment

Amy I had the same reaction, that photo is #squadgoals for sure :-D Wish I had friendships like that!

Expand full comment

My daughter is interested in getting a volume of Grimm’s Fairy Tales. Any recommendations?

Expand full comment
author

Well I'm currently working on an edition that will come out in a couple of years from WOF but if you don't want to wait, the complete works translated by Zipes is usually the one suggested.

Expand full comment

Thanks! She wants one now, but we will definitely look out for yours later!

Expand full comment
Jan 30Liked by Haley Stewart

Omg I cried within the first 10 pages of Hercules Beal, at least once in the middle, and then there's another point towards the end where there were legit tears streaming down my face. He is a mastermind. THE gold standard in middle grade lit, imo.

Expand full comment

It's phenomenal!

Expand full comment

I’ve always wondered how Flannery developed her singular writing style, reveling as she did in the grotesque. Finding out that she immersed herself in the complete (and dark, dark, dark) fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm when young makes so much sense. Now I want to visit her childhood home, too. What a great trip you must have had with your friends! Thanks for sharing❣️

Expand full comment

I visited Flannery’s home in 2018! Just lovely. It was late May and quite hot outside, and the a/c was broken in the museum, but that didn’t stop me from touring the upstairs. (Meanwhile, my very pregnant sister rested downstairs 😅) Looks like you all had a lovely time!

Expand full comment