Dispatch from my nervous breakdown
Updates from the second leg of tour.
Writing Prompt:
I included this wise Virginia Woolf quote in the “Time to Spiral” chapter of my new book: “Time, unfortunately, though it makes animals and vegetables bloom and fade with amazing punctuality, has no such simple effect upon the mind of man.” Write a journal entry about a moment in your life when time felt impossibly stretched out—a 10-minute conversation that seemed to last an hour, an afternoon that felt like a lifetime, etc…
I’m airing another excerpt of The Age of Magical Overthinking audiobook on Sounds Like A Cult tomorrow.
The excerpt I included in my “Cult of Manifestation” episode the other week seemed to go over well, so my publisher let me know I could choose another chapter to air on the pod! I decided to go for the one titled “Nostalgia Porn: A Note on Declinism,” especially because nostalgia is such a key ingredient in many of the cults we’ve covered (or will cover soon) on the show, from Disney Adults to tradwives to MAGA zealots. The more I think about it, the more I realize The Age of Magical Overthinking might work ever better on audio than in hardback. Curious to know what y’all think, and stay tuned for tomorrow’s excerpt!
We’re three weeks strong on the Indie Bestseller list!
I can’t thank you readers enough for purchasing your copies of TAOMO from your local indies. Not only is that a win for small businesses, it’s also kept the book on the national Indie Bestseller list since the week it came out! I’m verklempt. Let’s keep going 💪
Catch me in Portland this Thursday.
For the Live Wire Radio festival! Doing a delightful panel with some brilliant artists. I don’t know exactly what to expect, but I’m excited! Tickets below. And as always, if you have coffee shop/restaurant recommendations in town, lmk!
Then I’m headed to the Books In Bloom Festival in Columbia, MD.
I’ll be debuting a new keynote speech and signing books. I did this festival two years ago and found it quite magical! The event is free, hope to see you Marylanders there 🤍
I invented an ice cream flavor???
Because I’ll be back in my home state for the Books in Bloom fest, one of Maryland’s local ice cream chains, The Charmery, asked if I’d participate in this series where they invite writers and artists to design a limited edition ice cream flavor. If you’re in Maryland, check out the “Magical Overthinker” flavor this month!!! It’s a honey lavender flavor spiked with sour candy lol. To represent the pretty/earthy-meets-completely-demented vibes of the book!!! Better yet, a portion of the profits from every sale will be donated to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. What fun!
It’s official: My publisher is extending my book tour :)
I know for a fact that Chicago and Seattle will be two of the added cities. Stay tuned for details!!!
MUSIC: Afternoon Bike Ride “It’s OK I’m Here”
I’m newly in love with a musical genre labeled “botanica,” which is like a mix of surreal alien noises and natural earth sounds. I found this song on a botanica Spotify playlist and have been looping it nonstop. Angelic melody, transcendent production, moving lyrics. This song is magical overthinking incarnate!
BOOK: You Didn’t Hear This From Me by Kelsey McKinney
My buddy wrote a new book! Kelsey, host of the smash hit Normal Gossip pod, is a pal and talented writer who pours just as much of her whackadoodle self into her projects as I do. We get each other 🥲 Kelsey just announced that her new book, a collection of commentaries on gossip, is coming out in February. Smash that preorder for the dope cover alone!!!!!!!!
BLAZER: Staud City Plaid Oversized Blazer
The cornflower blue blazer I wore to my book launch event in LA is currently on mega-sale at Sake Fifth Avenue (down to $185 from $495). This thing is a sartorial masterpiece—truly so well tailored. Buy it!!!
DESTINATION: Asheville Salt Cave
This is my version of a wellness routine: Every three years, I publish a book, a process for which I can’t help but push myself to the point of all-out nervous breakdown. At my wit’s end, I pay a solo visit to Asheville, North Carolina, where I attempt to cleanse myself of my woes within the womb-like walls of this Himalayan salt cave/massage spa/Turkish hammam. Whether or not you, too, are a tornado of raw anxiety, if you ever get the chance to visit Asheville, I highly recommend hitting up this place for a supremely soothing afternoon. If you get a massage, demand Alex, who literally resurrected me from soul death ✌️