Happy 2024, everyone!

I hope the new year has brought you joy, laughter, good books, and lots of leftover chocolate from the holidays. Mine has certainly delivered on all these fronts.

The first book I started reading this year is The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year by Margaret Renkl. It's a collection of observations about the flora and fauna around Renkl's home over the course of a year, with lovely art by her brother Billy Renkl. Every page is a reminder of how much beauty is around us if we just take the time to be still and look. While most of the essays I've read so far have been on the thoughtful or touching side, one already made me laugh out loud. It's just a delightful read overall.

On page five of The Comfort of Crows, Renkl introduced me to a new year tradition I hadn't heard of before. According to this superstition, the first bird you see on New Year's Day sets the tone for your year. In my family, we always eat black-eyed peas on January 1st for good luck. (Despite my warnings, my husband, who doesn't like peas, allowed me to put literally one in his bowl of jambalaya. When his luck runs out in February, it will not be my fault.) But basing my year's fortune on birds instead intrigued me.

When I read this piece of birding lore, I thought back to last Monday, wondering what the first bird I saw in 2024 was. A dove maybe? Or a sparrow? Or one of the loud, boisterous crows that haunt our trees? And then it came to me. I was sure of it.

The first bird I saw in the new year was the chirping bird toy I gave my cats for Christmas.

Research shows that this bird, when seen on January 1st, signifies a year of being roused from sleep at 3A.M. by rambunctious cats, a year of being unable to reach the remote because a cat is sleeping in your lap, a year of spending too much money on cat toys.

Yep, this prediction is spot-on.

As long as we're on the subject of superstitions, I'd like to mention one more that's not tied to the new year. I'm a bit superstitious when it comes to discussing my writing. In the past, when I've blabbed about an idea I had or a new project I was working on, talking about it seemed to coincide with my getting stuck or losing the fire of passion I had for the piece. These days, I try not to talk about what I'm working on much until it's almost finished so I don't jinx it. Because of that, most of you have heard a lot about my published Spooky America books but very little about what I've been writing this year.

I'm excited to announce that it's time to let the ~~cat~~ raccoon out of the bag. I just finished the first draft of a funny middle grade book about a raccoon trying to leave a life of crime. Here's a snippet of the pitch:

Mitzie, a white raccoon, and her sister Rocky have been thick as thieves (and actual thieves) since they were kits, but when a heist goes wrong, sending an angry coyote on their tails, Mitzie starts having doubts about their lifestyle. After she accidentally “kills” an opossum (twice) she decides she's done with crime. Will Rocky stick by her, or will Mitzie have to face the world alone?

Writing is slow, and the publishing industry is even slower, so this story is a looooooooooooooooong way from becoming a real book. My goal is to get it traditionally published rather than going the self-publishing route, so I'll begin querying agents soon. Even if I find an agent who wants to work with me this year, it's still a very long road to publication. But that's why it's important to celebrate these milestones along the way. I'm excited to get to share this one with you.

I need to go refill my coffee cup, so I'll sign off here. Best of luck to you all in 2024! There's still time to eat a serving of black-eyed peas or go outside and say hello to the birds.

Happy New Year,

Carie

P.S. Here's a photo of me holding my printed first draft in my hands. It's a good feeling.

New Year, New Goals

Revisions, Queries, & New Drafts

Now that I've finished my current manuscript, my goals switch from daily word counts and drafting to revising, editing, and querying. Then, once this novel is patiently waiting in the inboxes of literary agents, it will be time to start drafting the second book in the series. That is... if Meow-Man will let me. It turns out my new cat is much more interested in my work than his brother and likes to get his paws into every part of the writing process.

Let's Play BOOK BINGO!

This year, instead of setting a boring goal to read a certain number of books, I'm playing a game of Book Bingo. Want to join me? Click the button below to learn more about my bingo cards and get tips for making your own. Happy reading!

Book Bingo Blog Post

Give Delaware's Ghosts a Chance!

My latest Spooky America book, The Ghostly Tales of Delaware, hasn't gotten as much attention as my Dallas or Austin tales. That's understandable since most of my readers are in Texas. But here's a secret: The Delaware book is actually my favorite! These ghosts are uniquely creepy and will give you the shivers no matter where you live. For a sneak peek, watch me read Chapter 3 to my dog while my cats haunt the background of the video. Want to buy a personalized copy? Just contact me through my website or respond to this email. Signed copies are $15, including shipping.

Watch Me Read Uno a Ghost Story

Stay Tuned...

Writing on the Air Interview

This week I had the pleasure of chatting with Mindy Reed, the host of KOOP Radio's show "Writing on the Air." Mindy and I had a great conversation about books, writing, and why ghost stories appeal to children. The segment will air later this month. Follow my social media pages to find out when to tune in.

What I'm Reading

The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year, by Margaret Renkl

This is the book I mentioned above. I highly recommend it for anyone who loves nature or is looking to add a little mindfulness to their day. Part of me wants to read it slowly over the course of the year, following the author's observations through the seasons, but I think I'm too impatient. I want to keep reading it now.

Follow Me Online

cariejuettner.com