Fandom February?
Plus a cover reveal, a sale, and an event!
February is my birthday month, so this time of year always feels like a fresh start for me. But because of the Olympics (and a bunch of other life things), I didn’t set a writing goal for this month. Normally I get sucked into lots of sports I never think about otherwise, but with a small child at home, I knew that was not to be. So I picked figure skating and watched it like it was my job. (With the book From Lukov with Love by Mariana Zapata living rent-free in my head the whole time.) The ups and downs were wild and I kind of don’t know what to do with myself now that it’s over. (Get back to writing, I guess!)
I also went to a couple of fan events this month: Club 90s’ Heated Rivalry Night at Webster Hall and the Dancing with the Stars tour stop at Radio City Music Hall.
Despite how long I’ve been watching DWTS, this was my first time seeing the tour, and my first time at Radio City! The ticket was my birthday present to myself, and it was the perfect gift. The tour was just like the show: part sexy, part silly, with fast-paced routines and incredible performances by the pro dancers, who make up 90% of the stage time. I’d definitely go again.
As for the Heated Rivalry event, I have to admit that I bought the ticket without knowing what I was signing up for, and when I took a closer look, I thought, “Oh no, this sounds like an actual nightmare.” Going to a club I haven’t been to in 25 years at 9:30 at night? In the snow? No thanks. But I couldn’t get a refund, so I put on my snow boots and went anyway. (I went with fellow authors Priscilla Oliveras and Ali Rosen, who are the best companions for something like this.) It turned out to be part dance party and part viewing party, with music and lights and Heated Rivalry edits playing on a big screen. And to my surprise, I had a blast. For three hours, I danced and sang and screamed over iconic scenes from the show, all with my coat draped over my bag strap because the coat check line was outrageous. Despite needing pain meds the second I got home (at 2am!), I think I probably had more fun than I would have had twenty years ago, because I was completely sober and I didn’t give a f— about what anyone else around me was thinking or doing. (Beyond making sure none of the college-aged kids spilled a drink on me.) The perks of being over 40!
Between the Olympics, the DWTS tour, the HR event, and reading/rereading a bunch of books, I feel like I really got to indulge in being a fan this month, as opposed to my usual state of being a creator. It was lovely to just watch and experience and cheer for people who are fully committed to their craft, whatever that might be.
And in the meantime, while I wasn’t at my desk, I did a lot of thinking about my current project, which is a part of the creative process that I don’t always leave much time for. I’ve been using the Notes app on my phone to capture all the ideas, and I’m excited to get back to work soon.
Announcement and Cover Reveal:
I’ve got a new short story coming out in a holiday anthology later this year! (My story is the one in bold in the blurb below!)
The Twelve Loves of Christmas: An Advent Romance Collection
The Twelve Loves of Christmas is a swoon-worthy short story collection about finding love during the most magical time of the year. Including a playful forced proximity romance featuring a woman and her older brother’s grinchy (yet unexpectedly endearing) best friend, a tender love story of two neighbors who decide to skip Christmas together, a second-chance spark reignited between exes stranded at the airport, and many more festive love stories, there’s a little holiday magic waiting for every reader.
Open one sealed story each day in the lead-up to Christmas to unwrap a season full of love, warmth, and happily-ever-afters.
Out September 29, 2026
Preorder here
Ebook Sale:
The Holiday Hookup List is $1.99 in ebook through the end of the month! (It’s also still in KU, but this is a good time to get the ebook to keep.)
Upcoming Events:
I’m doing fewer events this year but I have one coming up in March! I’ll be celebrating the launch of The Starter Ex by Mia Sosa along with Priscilla Oliveras and Annette Chavez Macias, who is coming all the way from California to join us! If you’ve been here for a while, you might remember that the four of us shared a FB group long ago, and they are all very dear friends of mine, so I’m super excited to see them all and chat about Mia’s book!
The Starter Ex launch event
Wednesday, March 11, 7pm
The Ripped Bodice, 218 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Get tickets here
Just a reminder, I am still off Instagram, and I’m not checking notifications or DMs there. Aaaand my two-and-a-half-year-old just woke up, so I’m going to leave it at that and hit send on this newsletter. See you in March!
All the best,
Alexis
Happy Birthday Month.
Glad you were able to take a pause and enjoy a few new things.
Looking forward to The Twelve Loves of Christmas.