The audiobook for Raven’s Cry, my dark retelling of Swan Lake, is only $0.99 on Chirp right now. www.chirpbooks.com/audiobooks/r... In this dark steampunk reimagining of Swan Lake, young noblewoman Calandra is haunted by a spell that threatens the very existence of her kingdom.

“Derice, a gold medal is a wonderful thing. But if you're not enough without it, you'll never be enough with it.” Re-watching “Cool Runnings” for the first time in over a decade. Gosh, I forgot how good this film is.

Coffee and Wooden Overcoats (hilarious comedy fiction podcast about rival undertakers) is one of my happy places. Having a real slow morning today. I forgot how intense rowing machines are and spent a hearty 20 minutes on one yesterday.

My toxic trait is wanting to put garlic salt on EVERYTHING. If I ever make a summoning circle, you know I’m using garlic salt and whatever comes thru is gonna be DELICIOUS .

Coffee happiness unto thee, friends. It’s a packed week round here. I have a bunch of chapters to listen thru for the “Interior Design for Intergalactic Travelers” audiobook, and appointments and outings nearly every day this week.

New goodies and updates available on Patreon: www.patreon.com/wordsbydana/...

The fact that I have to occasionally restart my computer frustrates me far beyond what is rational or possibly even human.

Was listening in to a session in BookMarCon (put on by BookBrush) and got a double genAI whammy from both the founder of the company and the presenter, about a new “scene creator” tool and then the…

My fellow Tennesseans, GO VOTE!!!

I wonder if I’ll trigger anyone with the way I’ve cut into this stick of butter 🤔 🧈

The hubs: “Did you just break out of jail or is it your first day of mime school?” Happy Monday, friends. It’s a full week this week. Starting with doing my planner this morning and listening through some chapters for the audiobook version of Interior Design for Intergalactic Travelers. 🧵 1/2

In conjunction with the Tell-Tale Steampunk Festival, A Cast of Crows – steampunk fiction inspired by the works of Edgar Allan Poe, all linked by The Raven! buff.ly/1VyLiZ6 #steampunk @danafraedrich.bsky.social @efdeal.bsky.social @Scaleslea @jessicalucci.bsky.social @davidleesummers.bsky.social

An important tip for anyone considering switching to Amazon‘s new groundpaper option: If you’re doing an event with any kind of hUmiDItY 💦, book covers will curl more quickly & drastically then the non-GP option. They’ll go back to normal with a good press in a dry area, but something to consider.

It’s a truth, universally acknowledged that, no matter where you live, the people in the next state over are terrible drivers. Sound off in the comments.

Well, this is awkward. Me and the lil guy on my shirt both wore the same outfit today. One of us is gonna have to change. This adorable synonym gnoll was designed by the fantabulous Scout Underhill, author of DnDoggos. You can find this & way more over at www.teepublic.com/stores/dndog... .

In this month’s Patreon Randomness post, I share updates on ALL THE PROJECTS, including a short story that’s gotten quite chonky, research adventures, and additions to my book soundtracks. You can find the post here on Patreon: www.patreon.com/wordsbydana/...

The day may come when you, for whatever reason, want to give your book a facelift. I did that, seven times over. Herein is how I went about it, things you’ll need to know and consider, and the mistakes I made so you hopefully won’t. Find the post here: www.wordsbydana.com/blog/2026/6/...

Y’all, bookshop.org has free shipping right now. Support bookstores, not billionaires. Go order from bookshop.org right now. Get yourself some books!!!

A very professional thing I did today: Gave the hubs a list of songs from some of my fav cartoons so he could get a vibe for the opening music for the audio version of “Interior Design for Intergalactic Travelers.”

New nails for the week. I wasn’t feeling particularly inspired in any particular direction, so I just used some leftovers. The Broken Gears new covers & reformatting project is basically complete. This has kept me tied up for about a month. So happy with the results & so happy the process is done.

Y’all, it is the end of an era. Those who listen to my podcast or or subscribe to my newsletter, already know this, but the Broken Gears books are all getting new covers.

Some book ban updates and general info. Y’all, call your reps and let them know you oppose these 💩 bills. 5Calls dot org makes it super easy.

Good morning, y’all. Rainbow nails to match my coffee cup today. May your grey skies be gentle today.

I have a happy story to share today, friends. So this poor lil guy slammed into my office window this morning, loud enough that I heard it from across the house. I thought he was dead at first—lying down, not moving. After wailing to the hubs about it, came back into my office and saw…

TIL shortbread cookies + Trader Joe’s strawberry fizzy drink = tastes like strawberry shortcake. I feel like I just learned a snacks cheat code.

Bourbon City Steampunk Festival is officially UP AND RUNNING 🐎!!! If you’re in the #Louisville area, come out and join us today (Friday), May 8 thru Sunday, May 10. #louisvilleevents #louisvilleky #louisvillekentucky #louisvilleartscene

This weekend in Louisville, the Bourbon City Steampunk Festival is popping off! There will be all sorts of fun events and shopping. Come by and visit the tea room. See some panels. It’s gonna be a great time!

Me: “Look how organized I am. I made a plan for the book I’m going to write next.” My brain: “Cool cool cool cool cool cool. But have you considered… changing all of that for this shiny other idea?” Me: “…Well, crap. That does sound like more fun.”

Science fact: time slows down when you’re waiting for coffee to brew.

Near Atlanta, GA this weekend? Then come out to the Conyers Book Festival. It’s free, fun for the whole family, and AWESOME! So come join us at the Georgia International Horse Park for two days of books, books, and more books! www.conyersbookfestival.org/fair-info