Sara Fujimura

Are you as obsessed with the figure skating and ice dancing at the Winter Olympics as I am right now? Many of the costumes are gorgeous works of art. Madison Chock's designs for her pair, along with other skaters, are particularly amazing.

Did you know that I had to change Olivia's skating costume in EVERY REASON WE SHOULDN'T at the very last minute? The awesome Courtney Milan, who blurbed my book, pointed out that Olivia's original costume would have gotten her docked points for being too revealing.

But why? This article from SELF explains how skating costumes are strictly judged.

https://www.self.com/story/rules-olympic-skaters-outfits

4 Rules You Probably Didn’t Know About Olympic Skaters’ Outfits Athletes are penalized for breaking them.

The 2026 Winter Olympics start tonight! What's your favorite winter sport to watch? To nobody's surprise, figure skating is my favorite sport, but I will also be glued to the TV for short track speed skating and ice dancing. We are a house divided, as I will be cheering on Team USA, while Hubs cheers on Team Japan.

If this is your vibe too, and you love YA contemporary books with a sweet romance, I hope you'll check out my book EVERY REASON WE SHOULDN'T (Tor Teen) read by the fantastic Caitlin Kelly. It's also available in paperback and eBook.

Go, Team USA!

It's World Read Aloud Day! Did you know that we're not just reading to little kids today? I read to multiple classrooms of 9th/10th grade students at Foster High School in Richmond, TX. Since the Olympics start on Friday, I read from EVERY REASON WE SHOULDN’T (Tor Teen). They had some great questions about my creative process, if my books are being made into movies/TV (can someone make that happen?), and why my characters have the backgrounds they do. Kudos to super librarian Misty Carter for having me back for a second year to talk to her students. It's always so much fun! 🫶

LitWorld Tor Teen

A big thank you to Ms. Miller from Batavia High School and Ms. Blum from Hononegah High School for inviting me to Zoom with your wonderful students today for SCBWI Illinois 's Read ALOUD Illinois Day. I enjoyed talking about EVERY REASON WE SHOULDN’T (Tor Teen) with them. They asked such great questions. Keep up the good work!

Early pricing ends this month! Get the best deal on our Spring Fling Writers Conference today.

What Happens at Spring Fling?
Spring Fling is a three-day hybrid writing conference hosted by Chicago-North Romance Writers featuring:

Pre-conference half-day masterclass taught by Sherry Thomas

Thursday evening Bookseller, Blogger, Librarian, and Podcaster networking event

Two-hour masterclasses

Workshops and webinars for published and unpublished writers

Keynote speeches

Pitch appointments with editors and agents

Networking

Online and in-person Vendor Room

Coverage by Brown Book Series

Silent auction benefiting a local charity

Open and free to the public book signing

Online and on-site bookstore with The Last Chapter Bookshop

Gala dinner and ball

Spa in Your Space Wellness Lounge

Register Here: https://www.accelevents.com/e/chicago-north-romance-writers-spring-fling-2026

Pikachu and I had a fun, artsy, profitable day at the Hoffman Estates Craft Fair. Thank you to everyone who came out and purchased human-made gifts from local, small businesses. We appreciate you! 🫶

Hey, Chicagoland storytellers of all kinds! I am excited to return to the Warren-Newport Public Library in Gurnee, Illinois on Monday, November 17, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. to teach "There Are Only Seven Stories in the World."

There is no fee for the event. Join us!

https://calendar.wnpl.info/event/13970845

I'll be there repping Team YA! See you there.
🍻📚🫶

📚🍻 Books & Brews at the Roundhouse 🍻📚
Saturday, Oct 18 • 12–4 PM
📍 Two Brothers Roundhouse – 205 N Broadway, Aurora, IL

Grab your favorite beverage, chat with local authors, and discover your next great read! Whether it's coffee with a picture book, a craft beer with a romantic escape, or a cocktail with a thriller—you'll find the perfect pairing here.

✨ Featuring authors of suspense, romance, mystery, fantasy, sci-fi, historical fiction & more
📖 Books for all ages: kids, middle grade, YA, and adults
☕ Enjoy drinks while exploring stories and meeting writers

🎟 Free admission | Free parking | All ages welcome

Come for the brews, stay for the books—you might just find your next favorite author!

For many creatives, the race to the end of 2025 has officially begun. Before you charge forward, though, take a few minutes to review Q3. What worked? What didn't? Are you on track to complete your 2025 goals, or do you need a course correction?

I created the FREE 2025 Q3 Author Assessment to help you understand where your authorpreneur business went this quarter, so that you can launch into Q4 with energy and focus. Enjoy!

https://tanabatawishes.com/

Tanabata Wishes Practical, actionable tips and techniques for creative entrepreneurs. Wishes come true here! Collaborate. Innovate. Invigorate.