Two more sleeps...

...until October 3rd!!!

Oct 01, 2025

I know, I know, I know what you’re thinking—why is K.L. Walther releasing her October newsletter before The Life of a Showgirl drops? It’s only a couple days away!

Because, I want some time to listen to it (again and again) and to mull every single song over before I share my thoughts. Don’t rush me!

We’ll touch base on TS12 in November, I swear.

Three Things

I’m still not sold on the name for this segment (I’ll continue to brainstorm), but here are three mostly non-writing-related things that are new with me!

I wrote last month that I was instituting a moratorium on ice cream for a while. I feel obligated to admit that I 100% broke my word only hours after I published my newsletter. I went to my grandfather’s house for dinner, and as a fellow ice cream enthusiast, he whipped out some Ben & Jerry’s and all the toppings post-chicken pot pie. I wasn’t going to say no! And then I had to try the local place in our new neighborhood! But now, I’m on a hot streak. No more ice cream until spring 2026!
C & I went to a John Mulaney show a few weeks ago! Philly was on the front end of his tour, so he was workshopping material—by the end of the night, my cheeks hurt from laughing so hard. We’ll see if his hilarious bit about his dryer makes it into the eventual Netflix special…
I want to get more into podcasts, so suggestions are welcome in the comments section. My two most listened to are Books, Beach, & Beyond and How I Built This. I tend to prefer interviews over hosts simply chatting. I’m not looking for anything too serious; this is an attempt to “decompress” after a day of work while going on a long walk. Let me know what you’re listening to!

Writing Updates

I am a little over 11,000 words into Margot/KLW 8’s first draft, which is very exciting! I’m not going to say too much because I have some good juju going, but I’m having a lot of fun getting to know these characters. And come next week, I’ll be on my writing retreat/research trip where this book takes place.

Another development: I’m going to be part of a Taylor-Swift themed anthology! ICYMI on Instagram, writer Kristie Frederick Daugherty has assembled an incredible group of contributors for this collection. Never did I ever expect to be part of the same project as Jodi Picoult or Meg Cabot—I am beyond flattered. I haven’t finalized what I’m writing yet, but it might be about a K.L. Walther character who has been downplayed to a mention and/or cut from two of my books!

Finally, the long-awaited cover reveal for The Summer of Second Chances?

The time might finally be upon us!

I’d keep your eyes peeled if I were you…

Reader Q&A

Will you ever have a Halloween-themed book?
1. I’m not sure! One of my favorite scenes I’ve ever written—in a manuscript you’ll never read—is a trick-or-treating/crashing a Halloween party moment, but I don’t think I’m creative enough to draw out the holiday for an entire book. I’d love to attempt a Christmas book at some point, though. Maybe Thanksgiving, since we can turn those festivities into long weekends!
How do you write? Like tips for starting and keeping it up?
1. I’m really disciplined. I started writing in college, so my “early work” (do I sound a hundred years old or what?!) was all assignments with due dates. I went to my fiction workshop once a week for three hours, then wrote a short story for homework. When I decided I wanted to write a novel in my spare time, I treated it like coursework. I told myself I had no choice but to go to the library for at least two hours to draft; I had to attend “class.” I did this for a long time, even after I graduated. I had to go to class, I had to put in the work. It may sound silly, but that mindset led me to finally typing The End. You can’t write a book if you don’t write it.
Do you plan on writing any series or just mainly standalones?
1. I’m never going to say never, but I’m happy in the standalone space right now. My books also feel like less traditional standalones (at least to me), since they take place in one universe. Even if I’m writing about Olivia and Connor, Lily and Tag feel extremely alive to me, too. I don’t feel like their stories have ended. They’re just off doing their own thing.
Which of your characters loves a PSL?!
1. I know the vast majority of you haven’t met him yet (soon!), but it’s totally Henry “Don’t Call Me Hank” Chen from We’re A Bad Idea, Right?
What gets you out of a reading/writing slump?
1. For a reading slump, I usually re-read one of my favorite books and that pulls me out. Writing slumps spur me to take a break from writing altogether, whether that’s for a week or two months.
Do Wit and Charlie (and Luke) ever meet? I feel like they’d be friends.
1. Well, we remember Wit and Sage—who is famously best friends with Charlie (and Luke)—clearly hitting it off at Morning Glory, right?
What song would Mer and Wit have their first dance to?
1. “No Pressure” by The Kooks, one of Wit’s favorite bands. The song is a bit more upbeat than the traditional “first dance,” but these two have never been known for being super conventional!
Cozy book recommendations?
1. Lauren Layne’s Miranda in Retrograde! It gives Nora Ephron vibes.
Your characters’ favorite Halloween candy?
1. Maybe Meant to Be: Luke Morrissey - Halloween M&Ms (but specifically Halloween seasonal M&Ms because they’re fresh!)
2. The Summer of Broken Rules: Meredith Fox - KitKat
3. What Happens After Midnight: Tag Swell - Whoppers
4. While We’re Young: Isa Cruz - York Peppermint Patties
5. A First Time for Everything: Connor McCallister - Snickers/Milky Way/Twix (he is not particular)
6. We’re A Bad Idea, Right?: Adelaide “Ellie” Hopper - Haribo Gummy Bears
7. The Summer of Second Chances: Olivia Lupo - Reese’s Cups
Favorite Halloween costume you’ve ever worn?
1. I have some childhood hits (and then some misses—my mom made me wear a turtleneck under my Princess Jasmine costume, which threw off my entire vision!), but I was especially proud of my very topical-at-the-time “Pregnant Kylie Jenner at Coachella” costume in college. People either had no idea who I was, or they really got it and couldn’t stop laughing.
  I also wore a pair of knee-high boots and my “baby” was a bunched up Patagonia pullover

Bookshelf

At the beginning of every new draft, my reading speed slows way down. I spend most of the day staring at words on a screen, so the last thing I want to do at night is look at more words (instead we’re bingeing The Americans). BUT, I am currently reading R.F. Kuang’s Katabasis. Another little reading quirk I have is that I rarely read contemporary young adult while drafting. Revising, yes. Drafting, no. It spurs imposter syndrome, a conversation for another time!

Playlist

I have been listening to The Dream since it was released a couple weeks ago! I know I’ve mentioned it already, but I truly feel like FINNEAS and Ashe teamed up specifically for me and I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a tour announcement soon!

Events

October 4th, 1:00 PM (THIS SATURDAY!!!) - I will be at the Doylestown Bookshop with Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick, gushing over their new novella, Joy to the Girls. All the details are here, this event is free. I’ve drafted my conversation questions!

November 14th & 15th - YALLFest! Being invited to Charleston is an author achievement unlocked for me, I am counting down the days. There are so many of my favorite authors attending, so please send me the courage to speak to them.