This gave me chills. The specificity. The scope. The goddamn craft.
It’s one thing to write a novel. It’s another to write a novel that dares to center a Black girl in love without contorting her into palatability. That refuses the either/or. That insists on “yes, and.”
Cat St. Clair already sounds like a character who will make people deeply uncomfortable in the way only truth-tellers do. I cannot wait to meet her. And to shove this book into the hands of every woman I meet.
CONGRATULATIONS isn’t big enough. But here it is anyway—in all caps, with underlines, and annotated margins.
Rena, thank you so, so much!! I am beyond thrilled that I stumbled on your Substack, it feels kismet. And these words are so KIND, ugh, I want to cry!!! Thank you, just--thank you. It means everything. And I will be cheering you on just as hard when your novel is out in the world! <3
this is huge!!! first of all, these are the words i needed to get back into writing abt my messy black ladies and theydies after taking a several month hiatus b/c i was sad abt getting rejected by a grad school. second, this book sounds so amazing and right up my alley and i cannot wait to preorder itttttt
THANK YOUUU OMG I LOVE TO HEAR THIS SO MUCH!!! YES, get back to that story, we need it, honestly fuck grad school! And wow this means so much <3 <3 Preorder links coming in like 8 months bwahahaa
congratulations! i will always go out of my way to find and support the books by and for black girls who don't see themselves anywhere else. it sounds like you truly have a book to be proud of and i can't wait to read it!!
This is so beautiful. Having been through this process (in my late thirties) and now only one month out from my debut, this reminds me to lean into the gratitude, the excitement. I can't wait to read your book, and I'm looking forward to reading more of your writing. Congratulations!!!
HOW did I miss this when it was first published?
This gave me chills. The specificity. The scope. The goddamn craft.
It’s one thing to write a novel. It’s another to write a novel that dares to center a Black girl in love without contorting her into palatability. That refuses the either/or. That insists on “yes, and.”
Cat St. Clair already sounds like a character who will make people deeply uncomfortable in the way only truth-tellers do. I cannot wait to meet her. And to shove this book into the hands of every woman I meet.
CONGRATULATIONS isn’t big enough. But here it is anyway—in all caps, with underlines, and annotated margins.
Rena, thank you so, so much!! I am beyond thrilled that I stumbled on your Substack, it feels kismet. And these words are so KIND, ugh, I want to cry!!! Thank you, just--thank you. It means everything. And I will be cheering you on just as hard when your novel is out in the world! <3
this is huge!!! first of all, these are the words i needed to get back into writing abt my messy black ladies and theydies after taking a several month hiatus b/c i was sad abt getting rejected by a grad school. second, this book sounds so amazing and right up my alley and i cannot wait to preorder itttttt
THANK YOUUU OMG I LOVE TO HEAR THIS SO MUCH!!! YES, get back to that story, we need it, honestly fuck grad school! And wow this means so much <3 <3 Preorder links coming in like 8 months bwahahaa
Congratulations!
Ahhh! Thank you so much!!!
HAILI!!!!!!!!!
JAMI!!!! lol thank you for all your kindness and generosity of spirit!!!
So proud of you!
😭💕💕
Omg, this is AMAZING!!!!! Congratulations!!! Your story is super inspiring!! Can’t wait to read this!!!
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! That's so nice of you to say! :)
Congrats, Haili! This book sounds great and can't wait to read it. (Also I didn't know we were at the same agency?! :)
Thank you so much Lai!!! Also I didn't either??? LOL
congratulations! i will always go out of my way to find and support the books by and for black girls who don't see themselves anywhere else. it sounds like you truly have a book to be proud of and i can't wait to read it!!
Thank you so so much, I really appreciate this!!! <3
So inspiring Haili, huge congratulations on the book deal!
Thank you Jeffrey!!!!
This is incredible! Congratulations!
Thank you!!!
Cannot wait to read this!
Thank you!!!
AHHHH amazing! I am SO excited for you!! You totally deserve it and this book sounds wonderful. One million congratulations!!!
THANK YOU SO MUCH KOLINA!!!! That’s so nice of you to say 💕
🥹🥹🥹
This is so beautiful. Having been through this process (in my late thirties) and now only one month out from my debut, this reminds me to lean into the gratitude, the excitement. I can't wait to read your book, and I'm looking forward to reading more of your writing. Congratulations!!!
Wait omg congratulations!!!! And THANK YOU! 🥹
Congratulations! I am definitely going to read your book when it’s out! I’m working on my first novel and omg so hard, so this is inspiring!
Thank you!!! I’m so glad this gave you some inspiration, it IS hard but it’s also doable!!!
I’m so excited to read this! I’m also writing a novel about non-monogamy and your book sounds sooo up my alley. Congratulations, this is amazing!!
Ahhhh!! thank you!!! ALSO am I allowed to hear about your book??? or is it too soon for you to talk about?
It’s about a woman having her quarter life crisis who starts seeing a non-monogamous man! Can’t wait to keep up with your publishing journey!!
Wait I love that!! Pls lmk where that goes!!
THIS MADE ME CRY A HAPPY TEAR 🥲💖
congratulations!!!!!!!
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! <3
Congrats!! I'm pre-pre-pre-ordering now. :)
Ahhhh thank you Tawny!!! If you preorder now, you will be receiving some line paper stapled together, I fear LOLL