It’s been a rough few weeks for publishing.

YOU GUYS!! AHHHHHHH!!! 😭🎉 THE OCEAN PROTECTORS WAS SELECTED FOR THE GREEN EARTH BOOK AWARD LONG LIST! I’m shocked. So honored. So genuinely grateful to see my work recognized in the FIGHT TO PROTECT OUR OCEAN. WOW. #writingcommunity #kidlit #author #5amwritersclub #publishing #clifi #greenearth #earthday #library #bookawards

FINDING JOY AND HOPE IN WRITING: FEATURE INTERVIEW WITH JESSICA MILO, CONDUCTED BY KIDLIT AUTHOR AND LITERARY BLOGGER, CHELSEA DICICCO chelseasworldofbooks.com/202… via @chellysbooks

FINDING JOY AND HOPE IN WRITING: FEATURE INTERVIEW WITH JESSICA MILO, CONDUCTED BY KIDLIT AUTHOR AND LITERARY BLOGGER, CHELSEA DICICCO chelseasworldofbooks.com/202… vía @chellysbooks

Today at my kids' school, I was approached by a high school girl who'd discovered I was a writer and had published a book (or 6). There was a light in her eyes and slight awe in her voice that told me she wanted to write and publish a book as well. It didn't matter that I'm not a successful, widely-known author. It mattered that someone she knows has done what she dreams of doing one day. And that right there made me feel like I'm making a difference, regardless of how many books I publish and sell.

**1/27 5:00 p.m. Restoration Update** SITUATION UPDATE As of 5:00 p.m., approximately 7,400 members remain without power across our service area as restoration efforts continue. Our focus is on Robertson and Sumner counties: Sumner: 6,462 (down from 11,326 this time yesterday) Robertson: 1,107 (down from 3,236 this time yesterday) At this stage of restoration, progress may begin to feel slower. This is expected as crews complete repairs to larger outages and major infrastructure, then shift focus to smaller, more detailed repairs that affect fewer homes. These individual outages often take just as much time to repair as larger ones. While restoration work will continue until all service is restored, progress may feel less visible as crews move into this final phase of storm recovery. We assure you that our crews are still working on clearing damage and making repairs. A reminder that members still without power should make preparations and arrangements for the possibility of being without electricity for another night or longer, especially those in Robertson and Sumner counties, where the damage is more extensive and will take longer to repair. WHY CREWS MAY PASS BY Some members have asked why they may see crews and trucks pass through their area without stopping. In many cases, crews are traveling to repair damage farther upstream on the system, such as transmission or main distribution lines. These larger lines must be repaired first before power can safely flow to neighborhoods and individual homes. ❗IMPORTANT: While you may not see downed lines, fallen trees, or other damage near your location, it’s very likely that damage exists elsewhere along your circuit that must be repaired before power can be restored to your area. OUTAGE MAP QUESTIONS We’ve also received questions about why a dot on the outage map near a road may disappear even though power has not yet been restored. The outage map shows outage groups, not individual homes. Addresses along the same road may be tied to different outage incidents that don’t affect your home, depending on how the electric system is routed. In some cases, the damage affecting your home may be located farther away on the circuit (indicated by a different dot further out). When a nearby outage group is repaired and cleared from the map, other outage groups farther along the line may still need repairs before power can be restored. Even if a dot changes or disappears, your outage is still being tracked internally. CHECK YOUR MAIN BREAKER If your lights briefly come on and then go back out, please check your main breaker. During extreme weather and restoration switching, breakers can trip even after power is restored. If your power remains off after checking the breaker, please contact us at (800) 987-2362 so we can assist. We know many of your members have been without power for a very long time, and that this phase of restoration can feel discouraging. Even when progress is slower, crews are still working through the remaining damage to get you back online. Read the full detailed update and view answers to common questions on our website: cemc.org/2026/01/25/winter-s…

I'll be presenting and taking pitches at the Tennessee Writer's Workshop on April 25th. In person at the Cool Springs Hilton. #writerscommunity #Writer #AuthorsOfTwitter

It’s here! Our schedule for 2026 is here! Are we coming to a city near you? If not, don’t worry: we have several virtual conferences you can attend from anywhere. All our 2026 writing conferences are now posted on our website! writingdayworkshops.com #amquerying #amwriting