Hello, friends, and Happy Monday! How was your weekend? If you attended ALAAC2016, I will try to contain my jealousy. I can only hope I’m invited next year (hint hint, lovely publishers).

Here’s what’s going on with me this week…

I spent all last week finalizing the seminar I delivered at Lesley University yesterday (it went really well, btw!), which means I kinda let the rest of my daily responsibilities go, which means my house is a TOTAL MESS. Time to do the dishes and fold the laundry and go grocery shopping. Oh yes, the writing life is très glamorous.

This past Friday, I received three treasures: a finished copy of The Infamous Ratsos, the first round of sketches for The Infamous Ratsos 2, and my editor’s notes and suggestions for Book Two of The Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sisters. No official titles for these sequels yet, though I’m thinking Infamous Ratsos 2: Electric Boogaloo and 2 Bland 2 Furious. In any case, it’s time to roll up my sleeves and get to work.

To that end, this week, I’ll be reviewing and responding to the Ratsos sketches, reading my editor’s notes and suggestions for Bland 2 and formulating a plan of attack for my revision. I’ll also be revising my new chapter book, which I hope to send to my agent early next week.

It’s my grandmother’s 95th (!!!) birthday this Sunday, so I’ll be headed to Connecticut for a little celebration.

I probably won’t post here on Monday, since it will be the 4th, and my family and I will be on the beach, weather permitting. But I promise to post some shots of our fun in the sun on my Instagram account (click here if you’d like to follow me).

What’s up with you this week? Any big plans for the 4th?