(Jo) March Update
Author and Life Things
Dearest Reader,
It seems that the winter winds grabbed hold and swept me along in its freezing tendrils, taking me far away from the newsletter that was waiting patiently for me to send. Now that spring is showing her head, I’ve clawed my way back. I don’t know about you, but I am desperate for this change of season.
The past couple of months have been hard for our community, after losing a dear friend, and wrestling through grief and hope. It has made me yearn for new life even more. The kingdom never feels so close, so touchable, than when a friend is there one day and gone the next.
Spring is when we physically see that which appears dead, come to life. And then we remember that those things were never truly gone, but only sleeping.
I recently came back from a retreat with other like-minded souls from my Writer’s Group (The Cottage, we call ourselves. Though not the same magical cottage from Flippity Gilbert). We met through Instagram years ago while partaking in flash fiction and sharing them with one another. That community has blossomed into such a sweet space for me.
This past weekend I was able to meet some of those ladies in the flesh. We spent four days laughing, crying, talking about Jesus, life, stories, and books. We had many writing sessions that filled my cup. It was a little glimpse of heaven. Where “work” is a joy and you’re generously sharing and enjoying the gifts of others.
Also, there was much coffee and tea. As is necessary for authors.
One afternoon we shared parts of our stories or works in progress. Bethany read a lovely excerpt from her classic retelling of Beauty and the Beast that is already published. Liz’s first chapter of dragons, magic, and high stakes was a glimpse of the enthralling young adult fantasy she’s querying to agents. I shared a chapter of my middle grade sci fi story, Scrappers, bumbling my way through and hoping it sounded cool. Sarah pulled us into her exciting adult fantasy filled with mythical creatures and mobsters, and Vanessa gave us a taste of the funny yet heartwarming book she’s about to release this summer, a middle grade portal fantasy about a boy with dyslexia.
As I listened to all of our stories, I was struck with how different everyone’s style and taste and genre and age group was, and yet how all our writing glorified the Lord. Whether we spoke his name on page or simply allowed the story and characters to carry the themes, it was for Him and for those who need Him.
In a nutshell, I’m already looking forward to next year.
I have put a date in stone (mostly to hold myself accountable) for Flippity Gilbert’s Cottage of Quirks!
This MG cozy fantasy will be published October 9th, 2026. What once was an online serial written for the whole family, will now be a physical book written for the whole family.
This date simultaneously feels far off and very soon, maybe because there is so much behind the scenes happening (especially when you self-publish!) But no matter the struggles that will surely come, it will be wonderful to hold the novella I’ve had complete creative control over from start to finish!
Next month, I’ll reveal the hand drawn cover. I hope you love it! Since this is purely on my shoulders to put this book out into the world, I’d love any help I can get, especially if you’re on social media.
If you’d like to sign up to help me promote this novella and share the cover next month, join the QUIRKY CREW! You have full freedom to do what you can and to give yourself grace for what you can’t.
Only Mildred, the sassy feline, will judge.
In other writing news, I’ve sent the first book of my Middle Grade trilogy, PROJECT SCRAPPERS, to my agent for feedback. My hope is that we can send it to publishers this year for consideration. But everything in the industry moves like molasses, so I imagine it will be one of those “hurry up and wait” types of scenarios.
In the meantime, here is character art commissioned from Seaborn Studios a few months ago. Meet Jozehna Roark, the young captain of a ragtag group of kids skimming the galaxy for ship parts. Notice the hint of gills on the side of her neck? Yep, she’s from a water planet. :)
There are so many exciting things on the horizon.
As I sit on my back porch typing this, the sun is shining, the birds are rustling in the leaves, and my boys’ lively voices are blaring through the upstairs window as they play Legos. Spring never felt so hopeful.
If you’ve had a harder winter too, my prayer is that this next season would be sweet, and that you’d lean into the Lord’s quiet reminders of His goodness and provision. He is with us always.
Love & Wonder,
Emily Barnett
These updates are fantastic!! And I’m so glad I got to go to this writing retreat 🤍
I love the updates! And I’m so glad you got to go on that retreat. It sounds amazing!