She passed just after I got my first book deal, but she always knew I was going to be a writer. The one person who motivates me is… my Grandma Joan. I really hope readers feel that joy in JAY’S GAY AGENDA, my young adult debut publishing in June. I feel so lucky and honored to be a part of this generation of LGBTQIA+ writers creating books about our experiences so that queer kids know they are loved and seen and celebrated. When I was young, the options for reading stories by and/or about queer writers were unacceptably limited. I’m inspired by… queer kids who need to see themselves in books. It’s (more than) half the reason I’ve grown my hair out and live on a lake and own a mermaid fin. When I was younger, I wanted to be… a mermaid. One thing I cannot live without… is my Pomeranian, Pom Brokaw! They also make up my ideal book club members.

I mean, just think of all the stories these five would have about being powerhouse women in Hollywood. If I could have dinner with anyone, it would be… the Jennifers: Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Garner, Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Lawrence, and Jennifer Lopez. My family… is so prone to impromptu singing that I often wonder if we’re living in an episode of The Partridge Family. I’m listening to… BLACKPINK! I absolutely fell in love with K-pop this year and this foursome just exudes power and talent! My favorite thing about Arizona… is that my parents just moved there and now it’s a whole new state I get to explore! I’m convinced my love of laughter was also born that night thanks to the laugh track playing along to Shelley Long and Ted Danson and my mom’s Lamaze breathing. I was born… on a rainy Thursday night while my mom watched Cheers. I love kids so much-I mean, I write for them and hope to spark their imagination and humor and heart-but I don’t think I have the gumption required to be a parent.Ĭity you live in: Austin, Texas, although I’ve been indoors all year so I’ve forgotten what this place looks like!Ī typical day in my life includes… way too many callback quotes to Real Housewives. Shoutout to Supreme Court Justices Kennedy, Ginsburg, Breyer, Sotomayor, and Kagan for making that possible! Married/Single: Married! And this year marks 10 years that I’ve been with my hubby, 4 of which we’ve been married.

Instagram: Website: you can sign up for my newsletter where I’m way more verbose and give thoughts on writing, books, and Laura Dern at Īge: 33, but I was born with the heart of Angela Lansbury circa Murder She Wrote so I feel more like I’m in my sixties and meant to live in a quaint little town clacking away at a typewriter. Twitter: Facebook: I just deleted Facebook and I’ve never felt freer!

The Spells We Cast by Jason June