#smalltownmonstersbook

[dianarwallach]

Today, today! SMALL TOWN MONSTERS is out today!! 🥳💀 ✨ From my keyboard to your bookshelf, I hand Vera and Max over to you. I hope their twisty creepy story gives you all the feels you’re looking for this #spookyseason. ✨ Buy SMALL TOWN MONSTERS at all your local bookstores, or grab book and a signed personalized book plate by ordering from @mystgalaxybooks. ✨ I really hope I get to scare you! And join my virtual book launch tonight at 7pm PST/ 10 EST with @mystgalaxybooks. Link in bio. Thank you for all the love and support! #smalltownmonstersbook ✨ . . . . . . . . . . #YAlit #booknerd #bookbirthday #authorlife #IreadYA , #bookstagram #yanovel #yaauthor #amwriting #writing #instawriters #writinglife #bookstagram #writingcommunity #booknerd #storyteller #bookaddict #IreadYA , #bookstagrammer, #horrorstories #bibliophile #readersofinstagram #amreading #read #reading https://www.instagram.com/p/CThbAaErGeW/?utm_medium=tumblr

[dianarwallach]

This is one of the photos taken by @mainlinetoday magazine! They came to my house back in the Fall to take pictures for an article that is in this month’s issue. (The link: https://mainlinetoday.com/life-style/diana-rodriguez-wallach-author/?utm_content=193887792&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&hss_channel=tw-50404894). ✨ To understand why this article is so cool to me, you need to understand the meaning of the term “the Main Line” in the magazine’s name. It refers to the fancy suburbs outside of Philadelphia—home to Villanova, Bryn Mawr, and Haverford colleges, as well as the town of Gladwyne, PA, the 6th richest zip code in all of America. ✨ I grew up down the road, on the other side of the tracks, in Ridley Township. This is part of Delco (Delaware County for those who intensely followed the PA election results), which is also the setting for the Mare of Easttown. Yup, I was that blue collar (with that accent). ✨ My parents grew up in nearby Chester, PA—one of the poorest zip codes in Pennsylvania. ✨ So to think my dad who was born in Puerto Rico, speaks English as a second language, and was raised in the projects, and my mom who graduated from Chester High School (no college), have a daughter photographed by a Main Line magazine shows how much can change in a single generation. I wonder what my kids will do. ✨ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #bookaholics #yaauthor #yaauthors #yanovels #accomplished #yahorror #authorsofInstagram #authoring #Latinx #YAlit #publishedauthor #writing #instawriters #bookstagram #booknerd #authorlife #bookaddict #IreadYA #bookstagrammer #smalltownmonstersbook #aspiringauthor #publishedauthor #puertorican #bookshelvesofinstagram #bookshelf #bookshelfdecor #bookshelfporn #bookshelfstyling #bookshelfgoals https://www.instagram.com/dianawallachauthor/p/CYm7uYPrhJf/?utm_medium=tumblr

[dianarwallach]

First, how awesome is this holiday #bookstagram photo for SMALL TOWN MONSTERS?! Thank you, @nikkistickney! 🖤 Second, I’m starting the holidays, and the new year, with some good news! I can’t announce anything officially yet, but…there will be more books coming from me soon! I sold a new YA Horror that will definitely keep me busy in 2022. 🖤 I found out last week. Could there BE a better holiday present?! (Picture me saying that in a Chandler Bing voice.) 🖤 I hope all of you have good news coming your way too—we’ve survived two years of a pandemic, so we’re all due some wonderful times ahead. 🖤 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #Latinx #YAlit #horrornovel, #publishedauthor #bookstagram #booknerd #authortube #authorlife #bookaddict #IreadYA , #bookstagrammer, #horrorstories #mysterybooks #smalltownmonstersbook #readersofinstagram #readersofinstagram #amreading #read #reading #readingtime #storyteller #authorlife #amwriting #writing #instawriters #writinglife #writingcommunity https://www.instagram.com/p/CXhPvpLrNCi/?utm_medium=tumblr

[dianarwallach]

Getting ready for a podcast/webisode recording for Middle Grade Ninja tonight. This will be my second-ever podcast. 🖤 My first ever is up currently with Writers After Dark. It’s the interview where I was asked the notorious question, “Is SMALL TOWN MONSTERS your first novel?” Um, no. See how I handled it: https://www.writersafterdark.com. 🖤 Writers can’t decide how and when readers find us. But hopefully they do, and hopefully podcasts like these help. 🖤 I know I’m a huge fan of publishing podcasts. I listen to Print Run, @writeordiepodcast, and @DeadlineCity regularly. What do you listen to? #smalltownmonstersbook 🖤 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #bookaholic #YA #youngadult #YAnovel #horrorstories #Latinx #booklovers #authorsofinstragram #horrornovel #YAhorrornovel #ireadYA #bibliophile #bookstagrammer #booknerd #storyteller #authorlife #bookaddict #bibliophile #writing #instawriters #writinglife #authorsofig #writingtips #writingadvice #aspiringauthor #dailywritingposts #dailywritingtips #podcast #podcastersofinstagram #podcasts https://www.instagram.com/p/CU8knrnraSQ/?utm_medium=tumblr

[dianarwallach]

From the @latinbookfair in Philly on Friday to the Book Launch Party for SMALL TOWN MONSTERS in my backyard on Saturday night, I’m still riding high. 🖤 My friend (who is also my college roommate’s husband) takes all of my author photos, and he snapped some lovely pictures of book launch. Before you worry—we were all outside and everyone in this group is fully vaccinated. 🙂 🖤 We had skeletons galore, monster-themes sliders, elaborate lighting put up by my husband, and a Cameo from Sonny Corinthos (his real name is @mauricebernard, but he plays Sonny on @generalhospitalabc. What can I say? My #PuertoRican grandmother learned to speak English from watching soap operas, and she babysat me a lot. It stuck.) 😂 The event wasn’t held at @childrensbookworld as we had originally planned, but it turned out even better than expected. #smalltownmonstersbook 🖤 QOTD: Have you ever had to completely move/change/reconfigure an event and the end result was even better than what the original would have been? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #bookaholic #YA #youngadult #YAnovel #horrorstories #Latinx #booklovers #authorsofinstragram #horrornovel #YAhorrornovel #ireadYA #bibliophile #bookstagrammer #booknerd #storyteller #authorlife #bookaddict #bibliophile #booknerdigan # #bookstore #bookstores #bookstorelove #indiebookstore #bookstoresofinstagram #readersofinstagram #amreading #read #reading #read https://www.instagram.com/p/CUdurp8r_se/?utm_medium=tumblr

[dianarwallach]

It was so great being back in Center City yesterday for the @latinbookfair at Philadelphia’s City Hall! There were 28 authors celebrating, including me, and we got to give SMALL TOWN MONSTERS a book baptism! ✨ Yup, my niece @marissarnicole is now godmother to a horror novel (see video here). So any friends and family who were concerned about me being possessed by evil spirits after writing this story—relax, it’s taken care of. ✨ I was so impressed by the Latin music and festive atmosphere. And you can’t ask for more foot traffic than City Hall. Thanks @nicholasmoegly and @_thebookcase because my gorgeous cover STOPPED pedestrians in their I-gotta-get-to-work tracks. Lots of compliments (and book sales!). ✨ Now on to the BIG BOOK LAUNCH PARTY tonight!! Photos to come next week! #smalltownmonstersbook #hispanicheritagemonth ✨ QOTD: Have you ever bought a book just because you liked the cover? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #bookaholics #yaauthor # #smile #yaauthor #yanovels #spookybooks #accomplished #yahorror #authorsofInstagram #authoring #YA #Latinx #YAlit #publishedauthor #writing #instawriters #newbook #newbookalert #bookstagram #booknerd #newbookrelease #authorlife #bookaddict #IreadYA , #bookstagrammer, #aspiringauthor https://www.instagram.com/p/CUQG--mrWSu/?utm_medium=tumblr

[dianarwallach]

It’s been two weeks since SMALL TOWN MONSTERS released!! How is that possible? It’s hard to stay sane in these early weeks, but two things that have helped are the collages featured here. ✨ A few months ago, I decided go a little #newage and literally ask the Universe for what I wanted. I wrote down what I hoped would happen with Small Town Monsters. Then I created #collages featuring images that matched the intention I was trying to #manifest. ✨ One collage represents what I hope will happen with the book—reviews, lists, news, awards. The other represents the great beyond—TV, movie, sub rights, etc. I didn’t think small. I put it out there. And every morning, when I sit down at my desk, I look over at the collages (housed in an artist sketch book), and I give myself a moment to feel what it would be like if all of this goals became reality. I truly feel it. Then I start my day. ✨ It helps. And maybe it’ll help you too. #visionboards #smalltownmonstersbook ✨ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #visionboard #bookaholic #YA #youngadult #YAnovel #horrorstories #Latinx #booklovers #authorsofinstragram #horrornovel #YAhorrornovel #ireadYA #bibliophile #bookstagrammer #booknerd #storyteller #authorlife #bookaddict #bibliophile #writing #instawriters #writinglife #authorsofig #writingtips #writingadvice #aspiringauthor https://www.instagram.com/p/CUGcAnIrZ4Z/?utm_medium=tumblr

[dianarwallach]

I signed my first copies of SMALL TOWN MONSTERS! In a real #bookstore! If you live in the Philadelphia area, mosey on over to the @bnvalleyforge and @bnplymouthmtg for signed copies! I even had them placed on the Halloween 🎃 tables in the front of the stores. 😉 Gotta keep hustling. 🖤 I also got to sign books at the Lititz, PA Book Fest on Sunday. Thank you, @epascbwi for putting this together and to @aaronsbooks for hosting us. I even gave away downloadable ebooks of PROOF OF LIES to the first five people who bought SMALL TOWN MONSTERS. 🖤 My favorite part was when a teen came in holding my book, who had already purchased it earlier in the week, and she was nervous to speak to me. It melted my heart. And the funniest part was when @lindsayfisherbandy , who was my #YAauthor table mate, and I joked about how difficult it is to say “horror” while wearing a mask. Go ahead, try it. You’ll see what I mean. It’s like trying to talk while the dentist is working. 🖤 I’m loving all the #bookstagram posts for SMALL TOWN MONSTERS. They’re gorgeous and the reviews are lovely. Thank you all for the support. And keep sharing! #smalltownmonstersbook 🖤 QOTD: Are you more likely to buy a book if it’s signed? 🖤 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #bookaholic #YA #youngadult #YAnovel #horrorstories #Latinx #booklovers #authorsofinstragram #horrornovel #YAhorrornovel #ireadYA #bibliophile #bookstagrammer #booknerd #storyteller #authorlife #bookaddict #bibliophile #booknerdigan #bookstore #bookstores #bookstorelove #indiebookstore #bookstoresofinstagram #readersofinstagram #amreading #reading (at Barnes & Noble) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTw_OAprw0C/?utm_medium=tumblr

[dianarwallach]

Thank you, thank you to everyone who logged on last night for the virtual book launch for SMALL TOWN MONSTERS!! 🥳 ✨ I know it was Rosh Hashanah, the first week of school, and kinda late on the East Coast, so your support meant even more! A lot of fantastic books came out yesterday! And some amazing #latinx books! So I truly appreciate every like, comment, and share you offered to SMALL TOWN MONSTERS! ✨ If you couldn’t make it last night, but are interested in seeing me speak live AGAIN tonight, I will be chatting with @words.and.whimsy very soon! 8pm EST on Facebook! It’s a big book club, so you just need to join the group, then you’ll get the link for the event. ✨ Here’s their web page (cut and paste!): https://wordsandwhimsy.ca/ ✨ Special thank you to @gretchen_mcneil and @chelseavbc, who are total pros at virtual events and made the discussion so relaxed and fun. Head over to @mystgalaxybooks and you can watch the replay and get a signed bookplate for SMALL TOWN MONSTERS. ✨ Thank you for the love and support! 🥰 #smalltownmonstersbook . . . . . . . . . . . . #YAlit #booknerd #authortube #authorlife #IreadYA , #bookstagram #smalltownmonstersbook #amwriting #writing #instawriters #writinglife #bookstagram #writingcommunity #booknerd #storyteller #bookaddict #IreadYA #bookstagrammer #horrornovel #bibliophile #readersofinstagram #amreading #read #reading #horrorstories #bookstagrammer #yaauthor #yawriter #yabook #publishedauthor https://www.instagram.com/p/CTk8vRFr2dd/?utm_medium=tumblr

[dianarwallach]

This is it! It’s happening! Join my virtual book launch for SMALL TOWN MONSTERS. It starts at 7pm PST/ 10pm EST. The link is in my bio. ✨ BYO Champagne. 🍾 I know I’ll be drinking some. Hopefully not too much. 😉 ✨ If you were obsessed with the NXIVM cult—the amazing Uncover podcast or HBO’s The Vow—hear all about how it inspired me. If you love The Conjuring films and always wondered what it would be like to grow up with parents who perform exorcisms—yeah, I wondered that too! So I wrote a book about it. And if you banged your head on your keyboard during the 2020 election and wondered what the heck was wrong with everyone—so did I! And I wrote a really dark book about those feelings. THIS book. SMALL TOWN MONSTERS! ✨ So join me, @gretchen_mcneil and @chelseavbc—three moms who write about kids who are always put in insanely dangerous situations. We’ll make you laugh! Thanks @mystgalaxybooks for hosting us! #smalltownmonstersbook 🥳🎉 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #writingcommunity #yaauthor #YA #youngadult #YAnovel #horrorstories #mysterybooks #thrillerbooks #ownvoices #Latinx #booklovers #authorsofinstragram #horrornovel #YAhorrornovel #ireadYA #bookstagram #bibliophile #bookstagrammer #smalltownmonstersbook #readersofinstagram #amreading #read #reading https://www.instagram.com/p/CTipsJnrvFq/?utm_medium=tumblr

[dianarwallach]

The last few days before a book launches are action-packed (read: crazy). That’s why I’m posting this very zen picture from my last day of vacation in Maine. 🖤 It’s been nonstop promo since I got home. And I could list my two pages of To-Do items, but instead, I’ll say this: I AM FORTUNATE. Not “lucky,” because “luck” discounts my hard work and suggests publication just “happened” to me. It didn’t. I’ve worked hard, for a dozen years, to get to a Big 5 publisher and a Big 5 release day. And I subscribe to the @oprah philosophy that luck is “experience meeting opportunity.” I earned this opportunity at the right time in my career—I wrote a great horror novel, then when I wanted to sell it, horror happened to be booming. For that, I am fortunate. And I will enjoy every crazy busy day of this experience. 🖤 If you haven’t ordered SMALL TOWN MONSTERS yet, you can order from @mystgalaxybooks, and I will sign a personalized book plate for you! Also please register for the live virtual launch party now, then you will receive the live link on Tuesday (link in bio). Also, you can order from my local bookstore, and I’ll go in and sign the book directly for you. Go to Children’s Book World in Haverford, PA for details (copy and paste this link): https://childrensbookworld.net/wallach-small-town-monsters/. 🖤 Now, I’m going to close my eyes and imagine that rocky New England coastline for my moment of zen. I can almost smell the sea spray�� 🖤 QOTD: What’s your happy place? . . . . . . . . . . #YAlit #booknerd #authortube #authorlife #IreadYA , #bookstagram #smalltownmonstersbook #amwriting #writing #instawriters #writinglife #bookstagram #writingcommunity #booknerd #storyteller #bookaddict #IreadYA , #bookstagrammer, #horrornovel #bibliophile #readersofinstagram #amreading #read #reading #horrorstories #bookstagrammer #yaauthor #yawriter #yabook #publishedauthor (at Biddeford Pool, Maine) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTYH3-eLIL4/?utm_medium=tumblr

[dianarwallach]

Some exciting news—my agent was contacted by a big book award committee in the horror genre asking us to submit SMALL TOWN MONSTERS in the YA category! We were told “one or more jurors” requested the novel be considered. So whoever you are, juror, I owe you a beer (or a cookie basket, depending on your preference)! ✨ This is a far cry from 2018, when I submitted PROOF OF LIES myself for the International Thriller Awards. I filled out all the online fields and paperwork, and sent the book off on my own. You know what? I still became a finalist and got to attend the award ceremony in a fancy dress. So writers, if you believe in your book—put it out there! Don’t wait for someone else to do it for you. ✨ Still, it feels nice to be noticed. ✨ On a side note—check out those shelves behind me in this picture, because they’re about to get a re-do. Stay tuned for newly stylized bookshelves! ✨ . . . . . . . . #YAlit #booknerd #authortube #authorlife #IreadYA #bookstagram #smalltownmonstersbook #bookaholic #yaauthor #YA #youngadult #YAnovel #horrorstories #booknerd #bookaddict #IreadYA , #bookstagrammer #horrornovel #bibliophile #bookshelvesofinstagram #bookshelf #bookshelfdecor #bookshelfporn #bookshelfstyling #bookshelfgoals #organized #organize #organizedhome #booknerdigan https://www.instagram.com/p/CRRbAVsr9Kv/?utm_medium=tumblr

[dianarwallach]

I am so ready to add to this book stack!! I recently recorded myself reading the first chapter of Small Town Monsters for the @thehorrorwritersassociation’s upcoming Stoker Con conference. And to give people an inkling of what this #YA #Latinx #horrornovel is about, I dredged up my original tweet from #PitMad that landed me my agent. ✨ If you don’t know, I repped by @laneheymont of @thetobiasliteraryagency. After writing Small Town Monsters, I began traditionally querying, until one morning I logged on to @twitter and saw that #pitmad was happening. When I landed my previous agents, Twitter pitches weren’t a thing, or at least I didn’t know about them. So this was my first time putting myself out there. ✨ I threw together a tweet and slapped it up. I got only 4 “likes,” which means four agents requested to see the material. All four requested the full. Two offered rep (the other two didn’t have time to finish reading within the two-week window). ✨ Now #PitMad is happening again on June 3rd, organized by the fabulous YA author @brendadrakeauthor. So I thought I’d share the tweet about Small Town Monsters that worked for me, in case it helps you: THE CONJURING x THE VOW. Vera Martinez doesn’t want to be like her demonologist parents. But when Max says something's very wrong w/his mom, and a cult worshipping death spreads, Vera must face her link to the family business to save a town that hates her ✨ QOTD: Can you sum up your book in a tweet? Can you sum up a coherent thought in a tweet? Seriously, it’s hard! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #YAlit #booknerd #authortube #authorlife #IreadYA , #bookstagram #smalltownmonstersbook #amwriting #writing #instawriters #writinglife #bookstagram #writingcommunity #booknerd #storyteller #bookaddict #IreadYA #bookstagrammer #horrorstories #bibliophile #readersofinstagram #amreading #read #reading #smalltownmonstersbook https://www.instagram.com/p/CO0IOnIL-i9/?igshid=8w2ulvzjvxp7

[dianarwallach]

First and foremost—if I unfollowed you today, and we used to be mutuals, please send me another friend request and I will follow you back again. I downloaded an app, Followers Insights, that’s supposed to track who unfollows you and doesn’t follow you back. Yeah, it was wrong. Like really wrong. I didn’t realize it until I went on click-click-click unfollow spree. 🖤 Does anyone have a recommendation for a more accurate app? 🖤 In other news, I have some fun Hollywood buzz circling Small Town Monsters. Nothing official, but a few production houses have expressed that illusive word, “interest.” Here’s hoping “interest” turns to “offer” for one of them! 🖤 Also, if you are a #horrorstories lover, the @thehorrorwritersassociation’s annual conference, Stoker Con, is coming up May 20th. It’s online this year and I recorded myself reading the first Chapter of Small Town Monsters for the “Virtual Author Readings.” I believe the recording will be public via @youtube once the conference starts, so I will share it with you all here as soon as I can! 🖤 . . . . . . . . . . . #YAlit #booknerd #authortube #authorlife #IreadYA , #bookstagram #smalltownmonstersbook #amwriting #writing #instawriters #writinglife #bookstagram #writingcommunity #booknerd #storyteller #bookaddict #IreadYA ,#bookstagrammer, #horrornovel #bibliophile #readersofinstagram #amreading #read #reading https://www.instagram.com/p/COQyuwQLipB/?igshid=ushfbfo2mhj9

[dianarwallach]

Small Town Monsters is now available on @netgalley! This means if you are a blogger or reviewer who loves #YA, #horror, and/or #Latinx novels, DM me and I’ll see if I can send you a link. ✨ This also means, OMG, reviews! Reviews, people! I published my first novel over a decade ago, and one thing I’ve learned is—nothing good comes from digging into your @goodreads . Yes, you are going to unearth some lovely gems. There could be dozens, hundreds, bright as rubies! But I guarantee you, there will be at least one heart-breaking, did-not-finish, lump-of-coal with an ugly one-star black mark that crushes your soul. And you will focus on that ONE review. You will lie in bed wondering why you didn’t do XXX or YYY to make that ONE person happy. You will want to explain to this one stranger why they’re wrong and what you really meant you wrote ZZZ. Nothing good comes of this. Nothing. ✨ Goodreads is not for authors. ✨ This is why actors don’t watch their own movies. Ryan Reynolds trended recently for finally watching his bomb-of-a-movie, Green Lantern, for the first time. I get it. Once it’s out there, it’s out there. For the audience. For others. ✨ So enjoy, all of you. I hope you love Small Town Monsters! I will do everything I can to help put this book in your hands. My DMs are open. But please don’t tag me on reviews unless they’re five stars. Anything less than that, and they are yours. You do you. ✨ QOTD: What’s your take on @goodreads? Do you spend much time there? And do you give books 1 and 2 star reviews, or do you stay silent if you DNF? ✨ . . . . . . #writingcommunity #yaauthor #YA #youngadult #YAnovel #horrorstories #mysterybooks #thrillerbooks #ownvoices #Latinx #booklovers #authorsofinstragram #horrornovel #YAhorrornovel #ireadYA #bookstagram #bibliophile #bookstagrammer #smalltownmonstersbook #deskselfie #amwritingya #amwriting #YAlit #writing #instawriters #writinglife (at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMxf9L7Lty-/?igshid=lj8pmwtt84f0

[dianarwallach]

As I imagine every single person reading this can relate—it’s hard to be productive and motivated during a pandemic. While I can work edits—both large scale or line edits—I’m struggling to #write something new. More than once this past year, I’ve started a book, written a few chapters, then stopped. Sometimes, it’s because the kids are sent back to virtual learning. Sometimes, it’s because deadlines for Small Town Monsters pop up. Other times, legitimate business distractions pop up. ✨ But mostly it’s because it’s just so damn hard to focus right now. The world is heavy. Whether it’s the pandemic, the election, the insurrection, or homeschooling, it pulls my attention like the strings of a puppet, and my #creativity falls to the floor. ✨ To combat this, I’m trying the Pomodoro Technique for the first time today. The objective is to write for 25 minutes, then take a 5 minute break, then repeat. While you’re writing, you just slap it down; you don’t fine-tune it, you don’t fuss with it, you just WRITE it. Let’s see where this gets me. ✨ QOTD: What are you struggling to focus on lately? ✨ . . . . . . . #YA #YAlit #booknerd #authortube #authorlife #IreadYA , #bookstagrammer, #smalltownmonstersbook #amwritingya #amwriting #writing #instawriters #writinglife #pomodorotechnique #bookstagram #writingcommunity #yaauthor #youngadult #YAnovel #horrorstories #typewriter #typewritersofinstagram #typewriters https://www.instagram.com/p/CLwocEiAFeD/?igshid=1dihfwb3m74ti