Good morning, friends!
Today I bring you: A sale!
If you haven’t had a chance to get your BLOODTIDE preorder in yet, now would be a phenomenal time to do it! Or to nab your paperback preorder of SARGASSA with its shiny new look.
The sale applies 25% off all preorders to B&N Rewards members, with B&N Premium members getting an additional 10% discount on top of that. Becoming a B&N Reward member is free, super quick and easy, and can be done online. Use the code PREORDER25.
I had a nightmare last night that I lost my sense of balance. The balance between that necessary capitalistic work of being an author with books to sell, and the work that is not just the word on the page but why it ends up there at all. My nightmare largely centered around being a sell-out, which is funny because in my waking life that isn’t something I tend to go around casting judgment or aspersions on. Not on myself, and definitely not on other people. The concept of a sell-out feels outdated, anyway. Something belonging to the 90s.
So I’m chalking that dream up to hearing Hanif Abdurraqib speak last night at an event hosted by RI Center for the Book. He certainly didn’t cast judgment or aspersions on anyone, either, but—amidst other topics ranging from basketball to slam poetry to friends’ children’s musings about anthills becoming a new form of punk show—there was a good bit of chat about how to stay grounded amidst the Noise of the Industry.
Anyway, all this is to say, this next part is about balance.
This Saturday (4/26) is National Independent Bookstore Day, and I’m here to give three of my favorite local brick-and-mortars some love.


First up, you can catch me at Heartleaf Books from 11-1 on the day, signing books and handing out free goodies.
But I’m just first in a banging lineup of local authors, and Riss Neilson, Philip Eil, and Sam Tano will all be hanging out later in the day. There’ll also be some store freebies, indie exclusive editions on select books, and a little bird—Penny the cat, she’s the manager there—told me one lucky person might just find a Libro.fm golden ticket…
Next we’ve got Riffraff Bookstore + Bar, where you might just catch me after the aforementioned signing shift, slamming down a F*ck Jeff Bezos margarita and taking advantage of the free merch giveaways and all-day 10% sale.
And last but certainly not least, down in Newport it’s not just Indie Bookstore Day but Charter Books’ 4th birthday party. They’re discounting apparel! They’ve got all sorts of sales! They are having children’s storytime and sweet birthday treats for all!
Obviously these are all located in Rhode Island and you, reader, very well may be somewhere else. So consider this my official suggestion that you look into what your favorite indie bookstore is doing to celebrate this Saturday. And if they don’t have anything currently planned, maybe bring the celebration to them.
x Sophie
Preordered! Loved the first one