We’re on the cusp of the Fourth of July holiday, on Day Two of what is supposed to be an extended heatwave. My patio feels maybe a degree or two cooler than hell’s kitchen. I consider myself more of a winter person, so this is less than ideal.

I am tired but hopeful. Bookishly speaking, the first half of 2026 has been quite good, with several fantastic events I was thrilled to be part of: My Bloody Valentine (Port Jervis, New York), Delco Horror Haven’s Book Fair, the Bucks County Book Festival, StokerCon, and Montgomery County Book Fest, to name a few. I met a raft of eager readers, many of whom walked away with at least one of my books. To me, though, the best thing about these events is the chance to connect with fellow writers and creators.

StokerCon, held in Pittsburgh this year, was a lot—a lot of networking, a lot of opportunities to pitch or otherwise talk about what I’m working on, and a lot of time spent with folks who have become good friends, or “fiends,” in horror parlance. I left Pittsburgh on the final afternoon of StokerCon feeling energized (if not a little hungover). Like many people, I have a pronounced case of imposter syndrome, even though I’ve been writing horror as long as (if not longer than) most of the people I met, but at StokerCon I felt like I carved out a small place in a tight-knit community. The fact that a couple publishers and at least one agent expressed an interest in a novel I have in the queue certainly buoyed my mood.

That’s saying a lot, all things considered. In 2026, it often feels like the whole world is on fire—especially today, when the mercury is supposed to surpass 100 degrees Fahrenheit—but I’m hopeful about the future. There’s not a whole lot I can do about world events, but there’s plenty I can do to influence the world around me: write, practice kindness, and spend time with animals. Plus, I’ve got a full calendar for the second half of the year, and I’m excited to dig myself deeper into my community and, in the process, have more people read the stories I’m putting out into the world.

Oven image by adrian schüpbach from Pixabay