I Know How to Walk With Cats (I Promise)

Happy mid-September! Cool temperatures and colorfully decaying leaves are helping to make me feel alive. I thank the universe for them every year <3

Two months until my debut Southern Gothic horror novel, I’LL MAKE A SPECTACLE OF YOU, will be published. November 18, 2025, is staring us down from the future with a gentle, haunting smile... 

If you haven’t, please pre-order SPECTACLE here. 

After SPECTACLE, Kokila will publish my non-fiction picture book about Charley Pride, America’s first Black country music superstar, in June 2026–and pre-orders are available! 

We haven’t done a cover reveal yet, so stay tuned.  

This month’s lesson was walking down the hallway with my cats. 

This month’s fragrances were Moroccan tea and guava. 

This month’s writing was nonfiction (!).

This month’s tarot card was The Moon. 

Let’s start with walking down the hallways with my cats, which, as you can imagine, I do every day. 

But this week, I suddenly became aware of them as I was hurrying from one side of the house to the other, in search of the headphones I constantly lose. I was late for a meeting. Well, I’d forgotten I had a meeting, and when I got the notification that someone had entered the Zoom waiting room, I fucking panicked. 

Cooled coffee cup still in hand, I raced down the hallway. I’d recently gotten wired headphones (still recommend despite this story) and was imagining wrapping my fingers around the thin, rubbery casing and racing back to my computer. I cursed when I sloshed brown sugar and caramel coffee on my laundry basket. Frustrated, I turned around to double back. Reader, I was determined not to start crying or yelling or both. 

My cats, however, did not meet the moment. 

I think of this as an extension of last month’s lesson on patience. In fact, I’m convinced one of my cats read my newsletter and thought, “How can I expand on this?” 

All three felines began weaving in between my legs, walking SO SLOWLY in front of me, forcing me to stop before we collided. I tripped and caught myself on the hallway wall and just stood there, fuming. 

I had to take several deep breaths and check the facts. 

Fact #1: This was in no way my cats’ fault. They are cats and I love them. 

Fact #2: I am, in fact, the one who should meet the moment. This meeting did not warrant the reaction I had. Yes, I forgot I had a meeting. Yes, I was probably going to be a couple of minutes late while I set up my desk. And I should have accepted that and gotten going, but not at that speed. I should not be colliding with walls in a dogged (haha) pursuit of…headphones. 

Fact #3: I now have “computer headphones” that will always be plugged into my desktop’s speakers, and will live there for all its days. 

This month, my favorite fragrance combination begins with layered citrus notes of sun-ripened oranges and lemon zest. It develops into the rich sweetness of wild figs, grounded by warm cashmere woods and creamy vanilla bean.

Together, these elements create a scent that is sharp yet warm, making it perfect for not-quite-autumn.

Lotion: Lemon Custard by Philosophy

Notes: Lemon zest, Vanilla bean, and Fresh bergamot

Body Oil: Exotic Pulp by Saltair

Notes: Orange, Guava, and Passionfruit

Perfume: Indigo by Nest

Notes: Moroccan tea, Bergamot, Wild fig, Cashmere woods

At the beginning of September, I turned in my first-ever nonfiction essay!!!

I am grateful to Wendy Wagner at Nightmare Magazine for this opportunity to write about something so dear to my heart. 

My essay titled “Horror Needs Hoodoo” explores the spiritual practice of Hoodoo, how it was birthed and mothered by enslaved Black people, and why it is a “closed” practice that should be protected and respected by non-Black Americans. 

In the essay, I explore the “Magical Negro” and “Sacrificial Negro” tropes, which have long been a sly wickedness employed by horror media, providing examples. 

I also share my personal experiences with Hoodoo and how I incorporate it into my writing. 

I’m very proud of this essay. Hoodoo is a large part of my personal life and my professional writing (my debut novel has a Hoodoo magic system and the main character is a powerful practitioner). 

“Horror Needs Hoodoo” will be out next month, October 2025, from Nightmare Magazine. By my next newsletter, I’ll have a link for you!!

P.S.

October is Hoodoo Heritage Month, which is the icing on this glorious cake.

This month’s tarot card is The Moon. 

Okay, so I’ve talked about my three cats, Hoodoo, and now it’s time for tarot, naturally. 

I compare my relationship with tarot to that of a caffeinated student and a wizened, cerebral professor. At the beginning of each reading, I eagerly absorb the knowledge and wisdom of the universe, while tarot gently pries open my mind, forcing me to confront the shadows within myself and my community.

I pull cards often, and have loved ones who call and ask me to pull for them when they’re in need. This will be the first time I pull monthly cards, though. 

Let’s get started. 

Under the starry veil of night, the moon illuminates truths otherwise hidden. There’s a difference between being honest in the warmth of day and revealing oneself in darkness. 

This month, I see a mixture of bravery for authenticity in the brutal unknown beside a gnawing nervousness. So much of our society (macro) and ourselves (micro) were hidden in the light. The sun’s glare glazed them over and over and over. 

Enter the moon’s smooth, soothing light. 

This month, be honest with yourself, even and especially in the darkness. While you’re there, though, be sure to bask in the moon’s cool light. 

As a reminder, my debut Southern Gothic horror novel, I’LL MAKE A SPECTACLE OF YOU, will be published on November 18, 2025. If you haven’t, please pre-order here. 

My debut picture book is titled CHARLEY’S HONKY-TONK MISSION about Charley Pride, America’s first Black country music superstar. If you haven’t, please pre-order here.

Thanks for reading this month’s newsletter. I’ll write to you in October <3