life in the slow lane

Author of If You Only Knew out Feb 11, 2020 SwoonReads/ Macmillan. I like a lot of random stuff.

[prernapickett-writer]

Time to get sorted into your Austen house! Are you a Northanger Abbey, Pemberley, Mansfield Park, or Donwell Abbey? Read through the House descriptions and tell us in the comments! I'm a cross between Mansfield and Donwell! #Austentines #JaneAusten #YoungAdultBook #YAContemporary #YARomCom #YoungAdult #HistoricalYA #YAHistorical #Bookish #BookLover #AuthorsOfIG #BookNerd #Bookworm #Austentacious #BookParty #Emma #PrideAndPrejudice #MansfieldPark #NorthangerAbbey #MrDarcy #MrDarcyForever #BookLove #HouseSorting https://www.instagram.com/p/CK1cHDZgzd-/?igshid=1c5zisvti5jmm

[prernapickett-writer]

Very excited to participate in this celebration of all things Jane Austen with @samanthahastingsauthor @smith.tiana @suzannepark @laura_namey @jennieke_cohen @jfkillsdarlings ! Join us next week (February 1st-7th) for some romance and fun with an awesome giveaway! #austentines #janeausten #bookish #booklover #authorsofig #booknerd #bookworm #austentacious #bookparty #emma #prideandprejudice #mansfieldpark #northangerabbey #ladysusan #senseandsensibility #mrdarcy #mrdarcyforever #booklove https://www.instagram.com/p/CKjXzS8gfuI/?igshid=135a6273wdhvk

[prernapickett-writer]

I was going to wear this outfit in Paris last spring. Instead I wore it for a TikTok challenge 😂😭. Maybe I'll spend the day picturing myself eating a croissant near the Eiffel Tower while working on revisions for my adult romcom. In fact, I'm gonna channel those vibes for the rest of 2021. #sundayselfie #writersofinstagram #writersofinsta #writersofig #authorsofig #authorsofinstagram #authorsofinsta #authorlife https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ36s0-ASMv/?igshid=mi9i2drpuwk5

[prernapickett-writer]

Today is the last day of 2020 which also means it's the last day of my debut year. I decided to do a fun little photo shoot with my book up in the mountains to celebrate such a huge milestone. There have been so many ups and downs this year (way too many downs), but I can confidently say that finally having my book release, even with all the craziness, was a highlight. I'm glad to be closing the door on 2020, but will never forget how special it was to have such a huge dream come true. Here's to 2021! #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #roaring20sdebut #yafiction #yacontemporary #authorsofig #authorsofinstagram #authorsofinsta #writersofinsta #writersofig #writersofinstagram #swoonreads #ifyouonlyknew #iyok https://www.instagram.com/p/CJd6IYYgoa3/?igshid=uiug1gf4v48m

[prernapickett-writer]

I recently finished Such a Fun Age by @kileyreid and oof this book was a cringefest whenever it got to Alix's POV. The lengths she goes to in order to prove she isn't racist, her inner monologue, how she slowly creeps into incredibly problematic areas are masterfully crafted and so very real. I'm sure everyone knows an Alix and I'm sure we've been an Alix at one point or another, unfortunately. I really enjoyed Emira's POV, she's an incredibly relatable character and is simply a woman who is trying to figure out who she wants to be and what she wants to do with her life. Highly recommend this one! #bookrecommendation #bookrecs #suchafunage #adultliteraryfiction #adultbookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #readersofinsta #readersofinstagram #readersofig https://www.instagram.com/p/CIOcwetARQY/?igshid=smvohv6xmh24

[prernapickett-writer]

Happy Diwali! I'm spending the evening stuffing my face with delicious Indian food and lighting candles and sparklers. Hope you're all having a wonderful weekend. #diwali #selfie #saturdayselfie https://www.instagram.com/p/CHlx2UFAuIj/?igshid=1ix6o8uvb6z1c

[prernapickett-writer]

So excited to finally have a copy of Cemetery Boys by @aidenschmaiden! If you haven't already read this beautiful story about a trans Brujo and the extremely lovable ghost he conjures, you need to do so now! This story is spectacular on every level: the world building, the plot, the characters (oh my gosh the characters 😍), the FEELINGS. Be warned: your heartstrings will tug and swooning will commence. #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #bookrecommendation #yafiction #yacontemporaryfantasy #reader #readersofinsta #readersofinstagram #readersofig #roaring20sdebut #swoonreads #swoonsquad #cemeteryboys #aidenthomas https://www.instagram.com/p/CHdpAkfA9Po/?igshid=ppn307lkutbo

[prernapickett-writer]

I devoured The Vanishing Half by @britrbennett recently. I'm starting to get into more adult literary novels and it's all thanks to this book. The Vignes sisters, their lives in Mallard, how their paths diverged and the impact their choices have on their children and themselves, all of it was so compelling, fascinating, and beautifully written. Now I need more books just like this (preferably by an author of color, please and thank you). #whatimreading #bookrecommendation #booksilove #adultbooks #adultlit #adultliteraryfiction #books #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #adultbookstagram #britbennett #thevanishinghalf https://www.instagram.com/p/CHF4MQzARpF/?igshid=1ci5x53uq9o1w

[prernapickett-writer]

Trying to outline for NaNo and it is not going well (as I stated in my stories). I end up either crossing it all out or doodling as my mind wanders to things not writing related. I'm going to push through, because I really do love this concept and I'm excited about it. I think I'm scared, because it is a BIG undertaking, and I'm not sure if I can pull it off. I've tried in the past and failed, but it feels different this time, so I'm taking that as a sign that I am in fact ready. I'll never know for sure if I don't try. So wish me luck. #nano #nanowrimo #author #authorsofig #authorsofinstagram #authorsofinsta #writer #writerlife #writersofig #writersofinsta #writersofinstagram #outlining #plotting #writingprep https://www.instagram.com/p/CG5Eg7DAXbg/?igshid=8y7ijgswz483

[prernapickett-writer]

Happy Sunday! NaNo officially begins one week from today 😬I know what project I want to work on and I'm really excited (and maybe a little scared) to get writing! This upcoming week I plan on outlining so I don't end up getting too stuck in the middle of the month, and hope to finish up revisions for my adult romance! Are you guys NaNoing? What are you going to work on? #sundayselfie #nano #author #authorsofinstagram #authorsofinsta #authorsofig #writer #writersofinstagram #writersofinsta #writersofig https://www.instagram.com/p/CGxqVeXgdIG/?igshid=uf1jgbmdj1se

[prernapickett-writer]

I recently finished Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia and oh my gosh, such a great Halloween read. This book was unsettling, but not in the way you think. It's more subtle, it gets under your skin, but you don't realize it's taken a hold of you until it's too late. There are layers to this story that some might not recognize. I'm trying to phrase this in a way that doesn't give away spoilers, so I'll just say if you're a POC and you've been gaslit? You'll understand what I mean. It was for sure a five star read for me. #books #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #reader #readersofinsta #readersofig #readersofinstagram #adultfiction #adulthorror #adultbookstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/CGnAOnEAhGF/?igshid=158nvij2b15s7

[prernapickett-writer]

Have you gotten a copy of A Golden Fury by @samanthacohoe yet??? I got mine yesterday and the cover is even more gorgeous in person. I LOVE this historical fantasy debut so much. Thea is one of my favorite main characters ever. She's smart, she's driven, she's imperfect, and very relatable. Thea is a young alchemist determined to create the legendary Philosopher's Stone, which may cost her more than she realizes. The plot is fast moving, the characters are fully fleshed out, and the writing is smart. Definitely check it out! #books #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #booksilove #yafiction #ireadya #youngadultbookstagram #yahistoricalfiction #reader #readersofinsta #readersofig #readersofinstagram #roaring20sdebut https://www.instagram.com/p/CGactGQAJSD/?igshid=kjd0003oeqix

[prernapickett-writer]

My debut baby came out almost eight months ago! I've been reflecting a lot on my publishing journey lately. None of it has been predicable. I wrote the first draft of If You Only Knew back in 2014. It took six more years for it to be published. I had all but given up on it when my publisher, Swoon Reads, contacted me. It was the last thing I expected, and it was so exciting. I'm grateful that this book is out there now. I worked hard on it. It may take people only a matter of days to finish it, but it took YEARS to write it, from the first draft to the final pass. It's so easy to feel like a failure in the publishing industry, especially when you're in the waiting stage (and there are MANY waiting stages), but I accomplished something so many still dream about, and that's not failure. #books #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #roaring20sdebut #ifyouonlyknew #iyok #swoonreads #iwriteya #writersofinstagram #writersofinsta #writersofig #authorsofinstagram #authorsofinsta #authorsofig https://www.instagram.com/p/CGNfh-0APZV/?igshid=12ireqer42msu

[prernapickett-writer]

I started Legendborn by @tracydeonn this weekend and the writing is absolutely spectacular. Bree's voice is so strong and compelling and you can't help but turn the pages to see what happens next. You all need this book, especially if you love anything and everything Arthurian. #whatimreading #legendborn #books #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #reader #readersofinsta #readersofinstagram #readeraofig #ireadya #yafiction #youngadultbooks #youngadultbooksgram https://www.instagram.com/p/CF9y6BUggOS/?igshid=1dvpgbtqiquof

[prernapickett-writer]

You can't tell but I'm wearing a very 90s outfit today. (Check out stories to see the skirt.) Everytime I walk into a clothing store or scroll through my favorite clothing website, it feels like I've gone back in time. I know they say that styles always come back around, but I didn't really believe it until now. In writing news: I'm halfway done with revising my adult project, I put together a pitch for a YA project that I will send to my agent next week, and I have a NaNo idea ready to go! Writing is the only thing I'm doing consistently nowadays. Fingers crossed I can keep it up. How is your Sunday going? #sundayselfie #authorsofinsta #authorsofig #authorsofinstagram #writer #writersofig #writersofinstagram #writersofinsta https://www.instagram.com/p/CFpjqa5gz3d/?igshid=12k88cxr9qas8

[prernapickett-writer]

I started Furia by @yamilesmendez last night and had to force myself to stop! Already so in love with the voice and plot, they totally sucked me in. I can see why THE Reese Witherspoon chose it for her YA bookclub! You all definitely need to get your copy asap! And congrats to Yamile for hitting the Indie Bestsellers list! #furia #books #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #yafiction #ireadya #yacontemporary #reader #readerlife #readersofinsta #readersofig #readersofinstagram #reesewitherspoonbookclub https://www.instagram.com/p/CFhnqI9ACfC/?igshid=1c4yo1tnud98g

[prernapickett-writer]

I'm starting The Sound of Stars by @alechiadow this week! So excited to dive into this futuristic world full of aliens and the road trip of a lifetime! #whatimreading #books #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #ireadya #youngadultbooks #yascifi #yafiction #reader #readersofinsta #readersofinstagram #thesoundofstars https://www.instagram.com/p/CFH_yM-AYbt/?igshid=1d5s7r23pmhoy