Okay so I know that I told y'all these newsletters would be monthly...y'all I got BUSY!!! We're trying for quarterly now, I'm so sorry for the delay. They'll be SEASONAL newsletters, if you will <3 So here is my end of summer newsletter of reading slumps, cunt-ry music, and kaftans. Let's get into it & happy Libra season to all my fellow Libras!

READING: She's in a Slump!

I can't lie y'all I've been in the worst reading slump in recent memory -- I didn't read a single book in July and only managed to read a few in August. September hasn't been much better, and I've been relying on audiobooks while driving to the barn or doing chores (currently reading Alyson Stoner's memoir, SEMI-WELL-ADJUSTED) to hit my reading goals. Some standout summer reads have been Sapph-Lit picks of course, but I also deeply loved Taylor Jenkins Reid's new book ATMOSPHERE (lesbians in space!!) -- the ending was so manipulative (complimentary) and made me sob. I yearn for the days where I can finish a book by the pool in one sitting!

In total, I've read 36 books so far this year, which has me sort of on track with my goal of 52 books this year. As I transition from book club leader to book club leader and publisher, it's become harder to find time to solely read a book for pleasure. One book I'm reading for work right now is THIS IS THE ONLY KINGDOM by Jaquira Díaz -- if you're in NYC in October, come to our event at Books Are Magic!

There are SO MANY AMAZING books coming out soon though! Today is pub day for DUST SETTLES NORTH by Deena ElGenaidi and SOUL SEARCHING by Lyla Sage, and Iman Hariri Kia's FEMALE FANTASY is only 2 weeks out from pub. All 3 are reading slump enders if you're in the same boat as I am.

Another reason why I haven't been reading as much is because I've been writing my little butt off -- if you didn't know, I've been working on a book since fall of 2023, so just about 2 years now. I've had long periods not writing it to focus on building up my freelance business, but I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. I've been a part of Jeanna Kadlec's writing course "Showing Up To The Work," which is a 4 week container that takes place for 2 hours 3 times a week. It's been extremely productive -- I've written almost 10K words in the last 3 weeks alone and am approaching the end of my Shitty First Draft. I can't wait to share more with you <3

EATING: Chappell Roan concert fit check!

I ate this outfit not gonna lie. See on my IG!

Seeing Chappell Roan in concert was truly a dream come true -- I discovered her via Spotify Discover Weekly in 2020 when Pink Pony Club came out, and have been singing her praises ever since. One Sapph-Littie even told me I'm the one who introduced them to Chappell and that made me teary lol <3

I'm not a concert goer by any stretch of the imagination (I hate crowds and loud noises and staying out late), so this was my first time seeing Chappell in concert despite listening to her for years. She brought out Nancy Wilson from Heart to sing Barracuda with her and I literally burst into tears. Left the concert feeling super validated in my queerness because Chappell is transcendent, a goddess among mortals, and everyone on stage was so hot. Just a wonderful night through and through.

PLAYING: Shapeshifting on a Saturday Night!

Everyone is saying there's no song of the summer, but I rebuke!! Avery Cochrane's new single SHAPESHIFTING ON A SATURDAY NIGHT is like if Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan had a lovechild. The chorus is addictive and emotional and a perfect song to scream sing with your car windows down. Below is a list of some other songs I've been listening to on repeat.

• Go Go Juice by Sabrina Carpenter

• Goodbye by Sabrina Carpenter

• Nobody's Son by Sabrina Carpenter (yes, this whole album really)

• Sin Wagon by The Chicks

• The Little Mess You Made by The Favors

• BLUNT by Emily Zeck

• Rock Bottom by Cian Ducrot

• High Standards by Maggie Antone

• Years by Sierra Ferrell

• Texas Primadonna by Tiffany Stringer

• Lesbian Of The Year by The Beaches

• coming around by fliss

• Sue me by Audrey Hobert

OBSESSING: Gaymer Girl Summer!

Whilst in my reading slump, I've been on a video game kick. My partner got me a Nintendo Switch 2 as an early birthday present (everyone say thank you Ian) and he's really helped rewire my brain after a childhood of being told video games make you stupid (sorry mom if you're reading this).

Being a horse girl and all, I was on the hunt for some quality horse girl games. You can only play Rival Stars Horse Racing for so long before you want to pull your hair out. TikTok kept putting Red Dead Redemption II on my feed, calling it the ultimate horse girl game (along with being an outlaw and shooting hundreds of people with your gang out West of course), and when I started to play I got sucked into the story so quickly. Now I have a crush on Arthur Morgan and am emotionally attached to my virtual horse Buell.

Sharing some games I've been playing and have been excited about below!

• Pokémon Legends of Arcaeus

• Tiny Bookshop

• Red Dead Redemption II

• Hades II

• Civilization V

• Mario Kart World

• Spiritfarer

• Pokémon Legends Z-A (coming soon!!)

• Windstorm The Legend of Khiimori (coming soon!!)

RECOMMENDING: Saturn Returning!

I will never stop talking about Sapph-Lit's first book SATURN RETURNING! We got our physical ARCs delivered last week and I was able to give copies to some friends and family for the first time, it was so incredibly special <3 It's also the first time I'm reading a physical, bound copy of the book after all! My Staples printed first draft manuscript doesn't count! This version you have now has been through over 3 rounds of edits and it's been such a joy to see it become a better book than I ever imagined.

We also are getting blurbs back from some of my favorite authors, including Emily Austin, Jade Song, Kristen Arnett, and Mac Crane -- all of which have made me cry (another theme of this month is my Pisces moon emotions taking over more than I'd care to admit)

I am so lucky that when I tell people about Sapph-Lit and SATURN RETURNING, one of their first questions often is: "How can I support you?" There are so many ways a book can become a bestseller, but of course traditional publishing and the powers that be make it easier for some books than others (Read As: books written by cis, straight, white folks that are traditionally published are more likely to make bestseller lists). With the industry currently dominated by Amazon, veteran authors like Colleen Hoover, and trope-focused romantasy books, it's easy for titles like Saturn Returning to get overlooked.

That's where you & the Sapph-Lit community comes in! Here are some ways you can help ahead of our pub date May 5, 2026.

• Pre-order the book! My preferred retailer is Bookshop.org -- use our affiliate link here.

• Tell your local bookstores and libraries about it! They can pre-order it too <3

• Shelve the title on Goodreads and Storygraph!

• Request the title on NetGalley!

• Post about it on social media! Tell your friends about it and encourage them to support too!

TREATING: a Taylor Swift inspired purchase!

If you follow me on socials, you would have seen the many videos I made about purchasing the same dress Taylor Swift got engaged in. It's been a shoppy September -- I cleaned house at thrift stores across Montréal (watch that haul here!) and then came home to the long-awaited package from MyTheresa containing the Ralph Lauren Polo striped silk dress. I've been wearing it non-stop since, and am wearing it again today in honor of a VERY exciting project come to life.

This past April, my best friend Niamh and I were interviewed for a documentary about Taylor Swift. Both of us are lifelong Swifties, and the director caught wind of our reaction videos on YouTube and invited us to be a part of the documentary. After a 9 hour shoot at my apartment, the Sandpaper Films documentary is premiering on Channel 4 in the UK today at 9:15pm UK time. Stay tuned for news of the US release!

Until next time! xoxo Nina