The next couple of months are shaping up to be very busy and exciting with a new book coming out, book sales going on, and book events.

New Book

The biggest news is that my first book for adults is coming out on May 15th! My cozy dystopian romance SUNFLOWERS AT THE END OF THE WORLD is up pre-order and ARCs have gone out. I’ll be leaving ARC sign-ups open for a few more days if anyone is interested in getting one.

The cover of Sunflowers at the End of the World by Katie L. Carroll. A big yellow sunflower in a painted style is on a dark green background. The words of the title go in a circle within the flower petals.

When you’re the last person on earth, there’s nothing to do but survive.

Mel is the only survivor of a devastating worldwide virus. After an epic crash out on a solo road trip, she comes to terms with having lost everything. Even though she’s utterly alone, Mel is more determined than ever to become self-sufficient. She builds a home in her mountain cabin where she tends her garden, rides her bike to the library, and shares meals with her crow and chicken friends.

When Mel’s water supply is compromised, she hits a new low and questions whether the effort to survive is worth it. A handsome stranger turns up with just the right knowledge to help solve her problem. When he decides to stick around, Mel’s lonely world is suddenly turned upside-down.

Sunflowers at the End of the World is the first book in a cozy dystopian romance series perfect for readers who love the slow-burn romance of Divergent and the cozy vibes of The Spellshop.

Book Sales

Banner for the Narratess Indie Book Sale. A chonky dragon reads a book at the bottom, a pile of skulls with a candle and ghost sit on the left of the text, and a space ship flies by a planet on the right of the text. Text: Indie Book Sale indiebook.sale Fantasy, Sci FI & Horror 11 - 13 April Banner designed by Arden Powell

I have two book sales going on right now. My award-winning YA fantasy Elixir Bound is just $.99 through April 16th! This is part of the big Narratess Indie Sale, happening April 11-13. You definitely want to check out this massive sale of fantasy, sci-fi, and horror books.

Ghost Stories Bundle on itch.io April 3rd to 24th 2026. Graphics by Susanne Schmidt Works in Bundle: Only Dark Edges by Katie L. Carroll Ghost of a Life by Ruth Miranda DEVIL'S LIMINAL by Studio Interlude 5:37 by A. P. Howell The Ghost of You and I by Angelique Drummond The Winchester Collection by Beth Jackson Magical Mayhem by Niranjan Water's Edge by Ellie Lieberman Linger by manmadezines The Final Deed by Jennifer S. Lange and Aaron McQueen The Spirit in the Door by Jennifer S. Lange The Library by Leo Healy L'Héritage Hanté/Haunted Bequest by VItheSixth Gleam by Victoria Audley The Hunt and the Haunting by Victoria Audley Rotten Roots by Susanne Schmidt Black Masquerade: The Third Nightmare by Stuart Tudor Where Dreams are Lost by Stuart Tudor

My YA psychological thriller Only Dark Edges, which is a modern-day, gender-swapped Hamlet retelling, is part of a book bundle on Itch. You can get 19 ghost stories for just $10! Itch books can be downloaded to any type of ereader.

Book Events

A graphic with shops in the background and the Connecticut Book Festivals logo. Text reads, "First even all Connecticut local author bookstore! A 2 day event. April 18 and 19, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Shop a large variety of amazing local authors from adult to children across multiple genres in a retail store setting. Meet the authors during individual half hour book signing sessions happening all day! Westbrook Outlets, 314 Flat Rock Place, Westbrook, CT.

A fun event happening April 18 – 19 is the Connecticut Book Festivals Bookstore at the Westbrook Outlets! I won’t be there in person, but a large selection of my books will be signed and for sale. This is a great chance to support local Connecticut authors.

A graphic with an illustration of a black tree full of colorful birds. Text reads, "Create Boldly! The World Needs Your Story. I'm presenting at the NESCBWI Spring Conference 2026. May 15 through 17. Stamford, CT."

And, finally, I will be attending the New England SCBWI Spring Conference at the UCONN Stamford campus May 15-17! I’m on the faculty and will be presenting my “What to Expect When You’re Self-Publishing a Children’s Book” workshop.

There will be keynotes by Heidi E.Y. Stemple and Nina Crews, your choice of 4 craft sessions, publishing and agent panels, professional critiques, and so much more. This is one of my favorite events, and I’m so glad to be heading back to it this year!

That was a lot! What are you all looking forward this spring? What books are you reading?