Hannah's Updates - Summer 2026

Like every summer, this one has flown by. Somehow July always has 31 days, and August always has, like, 4.

My kiddos and I made memories at our favorite lake, at the beach (surfing with my son!), on hiking trails, and around the fire roasting marshmallows. We went camping in Cape Henlopen, and visited family in Mexico City and in Walla Walla, Washington (how FUN is it to say that name?). And yet... I still wish I had more time to pack more in! The trips, the adventures, and also just the lazy mornings.

Of course, things have been HAPPENING this summer with my debut picture book, which is coming out in 2027! Eek! I got to see the amazing illustrations that the talented Nabi Ali has been working on. It's such a delight to see the book coming alive! I can't wait to share the cover art - so stay tuned in the coming months!

I also got to write my "Author's Note" which goes at the end of the book... Someone please tell me how it was more challenging to write the author's note than the story itself!? Luckily, I had my agent and editor there to guide me through the process.

To be honest, the whole process has felt surreal. It's a dream I've had for so long, and to see it finally happening is strange and incredible at the same time. The moment that made it all feel REAL was when my editor asked me to write the dedication that will go in the beginning of the book. This is really happening, isn't it??

Meanwhile, in the little moments when the kids were busy, or sleeping in, I squeezed in as much writing as I could. I'm so excited about some of the stories I've worked on this summer (including a novel about a group of three middle school girls and their sentient Venus flytrap, and a picture book about a boy who must brave daring adventures all by himself once his cousins get "too old" for make believe).

Teachers don't count their years from January to December... we count them September to August. And so, with a new year starting, I wish you all a year full of good laughs, good friends, good health, and good books! Check back in the fall for more updates!

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What I've been reading:

• Picture books: A million, but recent favs have been: We Were a Two by Eoin McLaughlin and Emma Chichester Clark and Wildspeak by Sangma Francis and Lexi Vangsnes

• Middle Grade: Just finished re-reading Wishtree by Katherine Applegate with my 9 year old son. I cried at the end. Again. Also, Dear Jackie by Jessixa Bagley and Aaron Bagley

• Adult: Listening to Kin by Tayari Jones and Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

• Craft Books: Improv for Writers by Jorjeana Marie and Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud