Welcome back to Out of Practice!

2026 is already exhausting and I know we all have many demands on our attention, so I really appreciate you spending any of your time here with me.

I turned 35 in January, kicking off a year of change both personally and professionally. I’ve been dreaming of The Tower, specifically in the context of liberation and renewal, which is…well! Terrifying, but also appropriate. Honestly, I’m ready. More on that in future letters.

In my writing life, I’m working on one novel, planning another, and dreaming up a few other projects I’m keeping close to my heart for now.

And then there’s my debut! I sold WASP’S NEST back in 2024, which feels like a lifetime ago. I can finally say my book is coming out this year! It still doesn’t feel quite real, but it’s starting to sink in that in just over 4 months I will be a Published Author.

On that note, WASP’S NEST is an LGBTQ+ Reads Most Anticipated pick for 2026, which is such an honor! Definitely check out the other books on that list, I’m particularly excited about Fat Swim by Emma Copley Eisenberg, The Maidenheads by Benny B. Peterson, and They All Fall in Love at the End by Haili Blassingame.

WASP’S NEST also received a third blurb!

ARCs are circulating in the wild, and I’ve been fortunate enough to share a few with family and friends. I’m so in love with the cover design, and I know the hardcover is going to be even more stunning.

And of course, I have to include a cat update. Oscar and Emerald continue to be the cutest and cuddliest kittens ever, and we remain obsessed with them.

I usually choose 5 books as my top reads of the year, but I simply read too many great books this year, so here are my top 9—even that was a struggle to narrow down. Maybe next year I’ll do a top 12.

I think I’ve talked about most of these in past newsletters, so I’ll just give a one sentence pitch for each this time around.

Henry Henry by Allen Bratton

Knew from the first chapter that this book was going to change my life.

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

I don’t often love both timelines in a dual timeline novel, but I really really did here.

The Incendiaries by R.O. Kwon

I read this in the first week of the year and have thought about it every week since.

Seduction Theory by Emily Adrian

There is a scene in this book featuring two women, a trash can, and a baby skunk that’s one of the best things I’ve ever read.

Mostly Dead Things by Kristen Arnett

Weird (complimentary), profound, gay, and gorgeously vulnerable.

Shadow Tag by Louise Erdrich

Haunting in the best way.

Heart the Lover by Lily King

I laughed, I gasped, I sobbed.

The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw

Whenever I need a refresher on voice, I will revisit this collection.

A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske

Edwardian England, magic, mystery, queer romance, hooray!

In December I sent Part 1 of Campus WIP to my agent. Now that it’s 2026 I’m trying not to lose my mind as pub day creeps closer. After feeling stuck for a while, I gave myself permission to work on a new project, which I’ll call Midwest WIP. I’ve been wanting to write a book set in the Midwest for years, and I think I finally found the right angle. It’s contemporary, sapphic, and inspired by a classic novel. I’m having fun with it!

I’d like to finish a full draft of a book (which book? who can say) in 2026, but obviously with WASP’S NEST coming out I will be taking some time off from actual writing to do book launch events and non-writing things that will keep me grounded.

I’ve also been working on my writing goals for 2026, and it’s definitely a shorter list than past years. I am launching a book, after all! I won’t be applying to residencies or submitting new work, but I will be continuing my writing practice, meeting with critique partners, supporting my local library and indie bookstores, and reading things that intrigue and inspire me.

Now that pub day is a few months away, I get to work with a bunch of really cool people at my publisher on everything from PR to audiobook production. And let me tell you—this audiobook is going to be FANTASTIC. I was lucky enough to be part of the audition process, and everyone agreed using three narrators (one for each point of view) was the move. It was a tall order, but we found the perfect narrators for Tess, Peter, and Mitch. I can’t wait to share more when the time comes!

I’m attending AWP this year! If you’ll be in the area and would like to connect in person please let me know, I would love to meet. I have some ARCs to share, so let me know if you’d like one!

Now I’m off to finish planning my kid’s Wicked themed birthday party. Stay warm!

xx

Kat