Claire Bidwell Smith

Suddenly there’s only about a month left to go in this pregnancy and I’m getting that nesting urge, although nesting is the totally wrong word because I don’t mean cleaning the house or getting the baby stuff ready. Instead I’ve been struck with this insane burst of energy to get as much writing and work Read more…

Becoming a published author has been rich in surreal experiences. Some of them, more expected than others. A few moments that I expected to feel profound haven’t, and others that seemed as though they wouldn’t be a big deal have floored me. Holding my actual book for the first time somehow wasn’t as wild as Read more…

It occurred to me the other day that I really haven’t talked much about my second book here. At one point last year I made a conscious decision to remain quiet about it for a while, at least until it had fully taken shape, but that time has already come to fruition and I’ve been Read more…

So far, one of my favorite things about becoming a real author has been getting to meet other real authors. I’ve actually met tons of writers in the last ten years, through various jobs and events and persistence, but getting to meet them on this level is a different experience. I’m meeting writers whom I’ve Read more…

I’ve had a surprising amount of time to read in the last month, probably due to the all the lengthy airplane rides as I’ve traversed the country lately, and have barreled through some great stuff. I thought I’d recommend a few of the books I’ve had my nose in. PURE by Julianna Baggott (fiction) Greg Read more…

It’s been a busy week already, this first week of September. I got some truly incredible news about my book on Tuesday morning, that I can’t share here right now, but which has elevated my week and my perspective to unmatched heights. It’s cast a strange haze over the way I view my life, my Read more…

The first yoga class I ever took was at Marlboro College when I was nineteen. I hated it. I felt self-conscious and awkward. My body didn’t do the things the teacher was urging us to try. I had trouble concentrating on my breath. I couldn’t stop the constant waves of thoughts coursing through my mind. Read more…

Caroline Leavitt just made me cry. Caroline is the author of this year’s NY Times bestseller Pictures of You, which I adored. In my quest to reach out other writes I admire, I had Penguin send her my book only about a week ago. She read it already and just emailed me with this quote. Read more…

I’m restless these days. My book is out there, in the world, being handled and read and considered and judged. But the thing is that it’s not really out there. It won’t be on sale for close to six months. SIX MONTHS. Hence, why I feel like I’m pregnant. In six months the book will Read more…

My editor called yesterday to tell me that she read my whole book in 3 days and loved it. Hearing her say that was the most validating experience I've had as a writer. Not to mention what a relief it was. I'd been literally having nightmares ever since I sent it off. She said lots Read more…