Donna-Claire - Author

A red Dutch oven on a stove full of chopped potatoes and cauliflower pieces.

Making cauliflower chowder before the Phillies play, AMA.

A pink diner mug that says Pocket Books, from the bookstore of the same name in Lancaster, PA.

Happy Indie Bookstore Day! Shopping local at independent bookstores that put people over profit is always a good idea. The best idea, some are saying.

My favorite bookstore ever, in Lancaster, PA, had a line before they even opened. We love it.

Currently in the weird space where I'm not working on any specific book project and feel the least like myself I've felt in years. I need to assign myself new homework.

Everyone's like, "When will she write about music again?" But no one realizes she's wondering if she even likes music anymore.

Thinking about getting into developmental editing for a few book projects a year. I love this part of the process and from my days as a magazine editor. Could be a nice way to connect with writers as well.

She has over 800 hours in Stardew and I think that is very cool.

A black cat laying on a brick path.

Why does my cat look like she's about to make an amazing outfield catch in a baseball game?

One of my favorite ways to spend time. Usually the cats join as well.

Having a cup of tea in the yard and listening to albums I loved from 10 years ago. A lot of them hold up! Or, my taste just never got better.

A custom metal card of two women in the style of Stardew Valley.

Got my wife a little Stardew Valley-themed gift since she finished translating the third book in the series she's contracted for. Very cute!

A hand holding a blue and pink book in front of a rose bush. The book is CRYBABY: The Artists Who Shaped Emo Rap.

The new Corbin album is really good. I have an entire chapter dedicated to his contributions to emo rap in my book, CRYBABY.

Get a copy from the indie bookstore of your choice here: bookshop.org/p/books/cryb...

Writing, being on sub, and publishing are such intense exercises in being vulnerable, humble, and delusional all at once. I've eaten an entire bag of Aldi peanut butter cups to cope.

Solo Board Games Are Writing Exercises On the virtues of talking to yourself.

Today's note is about the intersection of solo board games, talking to yourself, and being a better writer. Plus, everything I played (and lost at) this weekend!

open.substack.com/pub/donnacwr...

A blue plate full of spicy tuna maki rolls. Next to that plate is a smaller, empty plate and a little dish for soy sauce.

Watching the Phillies hurt my feelings and making maki rolls from the Stardew Valley cookbook.

I forgot to post that I finished the second draft (the real first draft) of my kid lit book last week.

I've been writing some iteration of THE BOAT EATER for over 10 years since the short story version was nominated for a Pushcart. Incredible to be at this stage with the manuscript.

Working on a newsletter this week about the magic of solo board gaming. It's a lot more like photography than writing, but I'll have more to say on that when the issue is out.

A space-themed graphic of an early review of Shouldn't We Dance?, a novelette coming in October.

A space-themed graphic of an early review of Shouldn't We Dance?, a novelette coming in October.

Some early praise for my forthcoming novelette from @stanchion.bsky.social that made me weep. I want a shirt that says, "master of grief," where it's just a ring of dancing skeletons.

SHOULDN'T WE DANCE? is available for pre-order right now.

www.stanchionzine.com/product-page...

A woman laying down on the couch in a gray Phillies jersey. She is hugging a small black and white longhair cat.

I've had a hell of a few days, but at least my 16-year-old cat has learned he loves hugs.

Anything Good This Weekend? #15 Gardening to the rescue.

On Friday night, a stolen moving truck hit every car on our street before totaling our car and crashing into a tree. I wanted to give up, but the power of our little Philly community kept me afloat.

open.substack.com/pub/donnacwr...

Anything Good This Weekend? #15 Gardening to the rescue.

On Friday night, a stolen moving truck hit every car on our street before totaling our car and crashing into a tree. I wanted to give up, but the power of our little Philly community kept me afloat.

open.substack.com/pub/donnacwr...

A Moment of Gratitude Just really happy to be here.

open.substack.com/pub/donnacwr...

A selfie angle of a black and white cat sitting with a woman with dark hair and glasses.

Cat once again helping me read a fantasy series this morning.

A Moment of Gratitude Just really happy to be here.

open.substack.com/pub/donnacwr...

A space-themed graphic of an early review of Shouldn't We Dance?, a novelette coming in October.

A space-themed graphic of an early review of Shouldn't We Dance?, a novelette coming in October.

Some early praise for my forthcoming novelette from @stanchion.bsky.social that made me weep. I want a shirt that says, "master of grief," where it's just a ring of dancing skeletons.

SHOULDN'T WE DANCE? is available for pre-order right now.

www.stanchionzine.com/product-page...

A black and white longhair cat stretched out in bed, reaching out and hugging a woman's torso.

Life remains overwhelming, and the work we all do to keep pushing and supporting each other is invaluable. Here is my senior kitty hugging me for the first time in his 16 years of life. Small miracles.

Anything Good This Weekend? #13 Softball is back. Or, how I keep avoiding finishing my manuscript.

Today's note is about a weekend full of softball games and Phillies games and oops I avoided finishing my book...

open.substack.com/pub/donnacwr...

A two-player game of Wandering Towers set up.

Time for wizard antics. Playing Wandering Towers.

A selfie of a woman and a black and white longhair cat sitting together.

Cat helping me read.