Dear Friends,

And just like that, summer is over.

Did you have a good one?  Mine was kind of like a roller coaster; some lovely highs and some challenging lows.  I wrote a lot and am over halfway done with the first draft of my new manuscript, due to my editor on Januaryst 1st.  I can’t yet share what it’s about, and I don’t know when it will be published, but I assume it will be sometime in 2021.  (Publishing scoop: It generally takes a year from handing in a book until it’s ready for publication.  There are a lot of magical, smart elves at Penguin Random House who get to work to make sure the book is as perfect as possible, and also, who make sure that you know about it!) 

Now it’s fall, and it’s time for me to hit the road again for Mistress of the Ritz.

I will be all over the place this coming fall and winter—Texas, New York, New Jersey, Florida (both coasts), Arkansas, Tennessee, Massachusetts, probably some other states that I’m blanking on right now!  If you want to see if I’m coming to your neck of the words, just click here. I hope to see you on the road! 

I’ve also been recording episodes for the podcast I’m doing with my good friend and fellow author, Edward Kelsey Moore, called WHO THE HELL ARE WE?  (Because even at our advanced ages, we still don’t know!)  Some of the episodes are the stories behind some of my novels; why I wrote them, what inspired me, etc.

If you like podcasts, please consider giving us a listen on whatever podcast platform you use.  And if you enjoy what you hear, please consider subscribing and/or leaving a review.  Here are some of the places the podcast is available; if you have a favorite platform and we’re not on it yet, please let me know.

We’d also love to hear from you with any ideas for future episodes!  You can email us at  melanded@whothehellarewe.com

That’s all for now; I hope you all enjoy pumpkin picking and hot cider and the crunch of autumn leaves beneath your feet in the coming weeks.  And reading, of course!

Love,

Melanie

Read about my books!