Thought-terminating clichés around the world

Plus, a huge celebration! And some Sounds Like A Cult news.

Writing Prompt:

The other week I was lucky enough to interview astrophysicist and science communicator Dr. Moiya McTier about UFOs for an episode of my forthcoming Magical Overthinkers podcast. Regarding our visions of extraterrestrials, Dr. Moiya endorsed imagining less humanoid, more otherworldly images of aliens as a way to feel less paranoid and more wondrous about life on other planets. Write a description of a totally surreal new species of alien: what it looks like, how it communicates and moves through space, what its habitat looks like, and what its key motivations are.

WE FREAKIN DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Making the New York Times bestseller list (or “The List” as it’s elusively called in publishing) was never, ever a dream of mine. Ever. It just seemed ridiculously far-fetched. Like winning an Oscar. I didn’t dare to aspire to that. However, my publisher had been gently hinting for a while that it might actually be a possibility for The Age of Magical Overthinking. I still never got my hopes up.

“The List” is based on weekly sales, and news of the latest drops every Wednesday around 4pm eastern. My publisher told me they’d give me a call as soon as they heard, no matter the outcome. When I got the news, I was waiting out a five-hour flight delay in the Salt Lake City Airport Xpress spa. At the tail end of this WHIRLWIND tour, having woken up at 5am, I was greasy and delirious, killing time in a half-broken massage chair. As soon as it left my editor’s mouth that I’d debuted at #6 on “The List,” I skyrocketed from the barcalounger and immediately started running around the Xpress spa and weeping, giving thumbs ups to strangers like a woman unhinged. It was a sloppy, delirious, gorgeous moment I’ll never forget. I am so immeasurably thankful for everyone who preordered a copy or bought one in the first week. You are the reason I get to be a New York Times bestselling author! We did it!!!!

I’m coming to Atlanta May 1st. And will likely be adding more cities in June :)

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Readers in the ATL area: You can snag tickets here to see me and A Little Bit Culty host Sarah Edmondson on May 1st at the Wild Heaven Brewery!

Also, this first leg of the tour went so wonderfully, my publisher let me know they’d like to add some more cities. Chicago and Seattle are a couple of front-runners. Let me know where else I should ask them to send me!

I’d love your input on an essay I’m writing for The Guardian about thought-terminating clichés around the world.

Here’s a question specifically for my non-USA residents. Can you think of any catchy, memorable, and highly repeated stock sayings that public figures (from politicians to influencers) weaponize to shut down followers’ independent thinking about questioning? (In the US, one example includes “There’s no ethical consumption under capitalism,” used to defend influencers’ Shien hauls. Australia’s conservative slogan, “If you don’t know, vote no” is another example.) Please submit any you can think of, along with your country and any necessary context, in the comments! It’s for an assignment from The Guardian.

Sounds Like A Cult is taking a four-week break between seasons.

Don’t worry! I’ll be back with all new episodes on May 21. There may even be a new co-host or two in our future :) I’ll be continuing my book tour and working on my new pod MAGICAL OVERTHINKERS until then. Any guesses what “cults” we’ll cover next season?? Got some good ones coming your way!

PODCAST: Bechdel Cast 

This is a feminist movie review pod whose hosts Caitlin and Jamie are brainy, delightful, ~relatable~, and such a pleasure to listen to. I just got to go on their show to discuss Poor Things!! Stay tuned for their appearance on Sounds Like A Cult, where we’re either going to cover the “cult” of Shrek or Leonardo DiCaprio… still deciding (feel free to leave your vote in the comments below).

MUSIC: Lizzy McAlpine “Older”

I simply cannot get enough of Lizzy’s VOICE. Casey and I fell in love with her music during the pandemic and have remained superfans ever since. I just splurged on good seats for her tour stop in LA in May :) Anyone else going???

ACCESSORY: Arctic Fox Scarves

I know it’s not really cold anymore, but you STILL NEED ONE OF THESE SCARVES. They’re soft, chunky, and stylish in the way those Acne Studio scarves are, but those are $300 and these are $42! 

BEAUTY: Wildland Organics Magic Dust Dry Shampoo

I bought this stuff during my time in Idyllwild and highlyyyyy recommend it for its scent, oil-soaking capabilities, and the fact that it’s a powder, not an aerosol, and thus travel-friendly.