Happiest Holidays
December 2024
Happiest Holidays
xo, Sarah McCoy
Hello, friend!
I'm sitting at my desk looking at the maple tree outside my window. Its frosted branches are winking Good morning, and there's an empty bird's nest crammed into one wishbone bough. The nest wasn't there last year, which means a little bird family lived a whole story right in front me, and I didn't know it. Now they're gone, off in the world, flying. Like so much in life.
This holiday greeting is my way of reaching a branch across the way and saying, How are you? What have you built and borne and lost and loved this past year? Let's please catch up.
Doc B and I found ourselves winging it across the pond to Germany. We spent time in Munich and then in Garmisch where we grew up as "Army brats." I put on a dirndl for the first time in forty years and was possibly the only Puerto Rican-Irish woman to raise her stein of bubbly water in the Hofbräuhaus ever.Doc B wore the lederhosen, drank the beer, and ate all the wursts. We laughed a lot. It was wunderbar.
2025 promises to be exciting! My new novel Whatever Happened To Lori Lovely? releases from William Morrow/Harper Collins on September 2, 2025. You're the first to hear that pub date. I can't wait to introduce you to Lori Lovely! I'll be on book tour in the fall and planning has already begun. If you'd like me to come to your local bookstore, luncheon, fundraiser, or other event, or if you are interested in reviewing the book, please reach out to my publicists. They will do all in their power to provide for your request. I'd love to see you!
Below is a holiday edition of "What I'm Loving," a kind of 12 Days of Christmas meets Oprah's Favorite Things. My recommendations include women-owned businesses that I've had the privilege of working with to my favorite chain store candle and a cookie recipe from my Grandma Mona Louise. A hodgepodge of things that I hope bring comfort and cheer.
It's been a wild year, to say the least. Hug your loved ones. Hug your fur kids. Hug yourself. Together, we'll keep showing up, choosing joy over fear, love over hate, inclusion over division... That's the message of this miracle season. We are called to be champions of light even in the darkest hours. Shine on, friends.
xo, Sarah
The McCoy Grant submissions are open!
Once again, I'm delighted to partner with the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance in the annual McCoy Grant for unpublished, southern women or nonbinary booksellers who harbor ambitions to be published writers. If that's you or you know someone who fits this description, please share widely.
Applications are open and will close on March 21, 2025. Recipients will be announced in July and awarded during the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance and New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association's collaborative Town Hall Meeting at the 2025 New Voices New Rooms conference in August.
Click the button above for more information, including application link. Here's the official press release from SIBA.
Get your holiday bookplate! These are signed and personalized ornaments for the inside cover of your book or wherever you please.
If you wish for one or multiple for your book club members, click here. Fill out the online form, and I'll send you the requested plates. Easy as that. In the notes section, make sure to specify:
1. The name(s) of the personalization.
2. For which of my novels.
If you would like books expressly signed on the title page, autographed copies can be purchased from my local independent bookstores Bookmarks. I partner with this indie bookstore for year-round online orders. So let them know that you were directed to them through this newsletter. The Bookmarks staff will take extra special care of your copies.
What I'm Loving to GIVE
Marzipan: Marzipops by Dahlia Weinman
I discovered Marzipops on Etsy in 2018. For those who aren't familiar: marzipan is made from ground almonds, sweetener, and egg whites and can be shaped into nearly anything imaginable. These treats are everywhere in Germany. I was thrilled to order miniature marzipan lebkuchenherz from Dahlia this year.
What I'm Loving to BRING
Pastries: To Your Health Bakery by Anna Simeonides
If you're following my Instagram and Facebook, you know that Anna is a talented, Celiac-friendly baker, a woman business owner, and Food Network superstar (Spring Baking Championship). She is also a dear friend. Locals can order for pickup. These are the perfect, allergy safe treats to satisfy every sweet tooth at your holiday potlucks.
What I'm Loving to NOSH
Carolina Barbecue: Honky Tonk Smokehouse by Susan and Sam Platt
Another local fave. Once we discovered Susan and Sam's smokehouse, no other Carolina barbecue could compare. They've got pork, beef brisket, chicken, turkey, smoked sausages, and all the fixings. The best part? All of it can be prepared gluten-free to ensure no cross-contamination. As a Celiac, I can attest that the care they put into the preparation mirrors the care they put into their family recipes. Tried and true delicious.
What I'm Loving to WATCH
Netflix Series: Nobody Wants This
Like the rest of the country, I am obsessed with this series. It's not your average Rom-Com. It's a throwback to the masterfully written, deeply thoughtful, complicated but hopeful Rom-Coms I grew up adoring. Sisters Erin and Sara Foster wrote and produced the script. (Think: 2024's Nora and Delia Ephron.) It's not a holiday series but I'm betting it'll become one. It's got all the feel-good twinkles.
What I'm Loving to LISTEN
Audiobook: What I Ate In One Year by Stanley Tucci
After our national political election season ended, the first thing I did was download Stanley Tucci's new audiobook. I adored his Taste. His quippy wit and cultural compassion is exactly what I need. It feels right to have Stanley in my ear, talking to me about what he's eating and more importantly, what he's feeling during the ups and downs of this year in the life.
What I'm Loving to WEAR
Loungewear: Vuori
Doc B gifted me my first Vuori garment and now I can't get enough. I swear to the stars, it's the softest material I own. Softer than jersey. Softer than cashmere. It's my new office uniform. Shoot, my new life uniform! It's hard to find clothing that's luxuriously comfortable, affordable, and stylish. Vuori has done it.
What I'm Loving for ATHLETICS
Sneakers: Hoka
Part two of Doc B for the gift win. He gave me a pair of Hokas for my birthday, and I chastised him because I already owned a pair of jogging shoes. Then I put them on. Holy heaven, these are pillows on your feet! Every other set of sneakers feel like concrete after wearing these. Try them, you'll see.
What I'm Loving for MAKEUP
Mascara: Lash Blast Cleantopia by Covergirl
A couple months back, my eyes broke out in a painful, itchy allergic reaction. I couldn't use any makeup without it worsening. Then I found this magical wand. Cleantopia is plant-based, vegan mascara containing Aloe Vera and rainforest maracuja oil. I thought it sounded too farm-to-face to be effective. I was wrong. My eyes have never had it so good. I'll never go back to the synthetic stuff.
What I'm Loving to BURN
Candle: Winter by Bath & Body Works
I am a candle hoarder. But I don't welcome any candle of any make. I am brand particular, scent particular, two or three wick not one wick, über-selective about my candles. Winter by Bath & Body Works is one that I buy in bulk. The smell is everything nostalgic about my winters as a child in Bavaria— fresh snow on the alps, pine burning in the village, and steaming cups of Glühwein. One whiff and I get giddy.
What I'm Loving to BAKE
Family Recipes: Grandma McCoy's Peanut Butter Blossoms
Recently, my editor shared a photo of the Peanut Butter Blossom cookies she made, and it brought a happy lump to my throat. I told her that the one recipe my Grandma Mona Louise McCoy left me was her PB Blossoms. She typed it up on her old typewriter for my wedding day. It's Doc B's favorite holiday cookie and when I make them, I feel her spirit kissing my cheek: "Good luck, Sweetheart."
What I'm Loving to GIFT
Hand Embroidery: Letter Party by Jessica Penney
Hand-embroidered apparel is all the rage this year. I've seen it everywhere from Reece's Book Club sweaters to TikTok celebrities in monogrammed T-shirts. I'm all for bringing cursive back! Especially when it means supporting gifted artist and woman entrepreneur Jessica. Check out her Letter Party Etsy shop for the sweetest, personalized gifts this holiday season.
What I'm Loving to GET
Holiday Cards: Yours!
Some might cry, The trees! The trees! Save the trees! As a nature-lover, I wholeheartedly appreciate that. We use the same artificial tree every year and let the real spruces thrive. Old-fashioned greeting cards are my tradeoff. I take responsibility for my selfishness: I LOVE PAPER AND INK. Words are my love language. So please do send and even if you don't hear from me, know that I treasure your sweet notes all the year through.
The Time It Snowed In Puerto Rico
I'm mostly on Instagram and Facebook these days: @sarahmmccoy. That's two Ms. My middle name is Marie, after my abuelita Maria. So please pop by to say hello and Like/Follow if you're so inclined. I'd love to hear from you!
Sarah McCoy
P.O. Box 25071, Winston-Salem, NC 27114
Copyright © 2024 Sarah McCoy, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you are subscribed to the newsletter of Sarah McCoy, The New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author.