Down to Earth (and me) leaves the house!

🥂 🍅 🧑🏻‍🌾 🎉 🥂 🍅 🧑🏻‍🌾 🎉

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You already know this, but Down to Earth, my first ever foray into fiction came out on Tuesday. I thought writing the book was a blast, but talking about it and getting to celebrate it might be even more fun?!

I got to sign all of these books at Oblong Books — get your signed copy today!!!

I wanted to share some highlights from this week with you. And don’t worry, I’ll be back with a recipe next week. FWIW, there’s A TON OF FOOD in Down to Earth because I don’t know how to write a romance, let alone any story, without telling you lots about what everyone is cooking and eating.

Also I wanted to share this hysterical and glorious thing that samantha irby (Samantha Irby!!!!!) said about Down to Earth over on Big Salad: “I’ve read all the romance novels from 831 Stories and now am loving Down to Earth, the new queer romance about an upstate vegetable farmer, from my cookbook queen Julia!!! Turshen!!!!! Munch munch munch, yum yum yum.”

….which is to say, yes Down to Earth is an incredibly sweet story. But it’s spicy, too! Consider yourself warned!

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Okay, onto my “scrapbook” from the road!!

I got to talk to be in conversation with CASEY FUCKING MCQUISTON (their official name IMHO) at Books Are Magic on Monday night and it was a dream. Thank you Jackie Abbott for this great photo and all the rest from that night that I’m sharing below!!).

I read a short passage from the book and Casey made me feel like it was all going to be okay!

What’s that? Oh yes, I sure did roll up my sleeve at one point to show off my Sungold tomato tattoo when we talked about how I named the fictional town in the book Sungold…!

Speaking of, an old friend from summer camp showed up in this dress!!!!

My parents, my spouse Grace, and Natasha (one of my BFFs from college) all front and center. SO many people from all parts of my life came (camp, high school, college, beyond!!!!!!) and I felt so incredibly supported. Did I mention all day/evening it was pouring down rain in Brooklyn?!?! And they all still came!!??!??!

Just love the little signing nook at Books Are Magic!!

The face I make when I sign a book for someone also named Julia!

Jackie caught me kissing Grace goodbye!

GET THIS. My old pal Jordan Smith (see his Substack here and his IG here) showed up with this cake….!!!!!!!!!!! It was so, so, so delicious and completely unexpected. If you’re in Brooklyn, follow him so you can go to his next pop-up!!

There was not a crumb left.

So sweet to see these next to each other!!

En route to LA in my new favorite “Small Town Romance” hat!!

A perfect breakfast at Snug Harbor before the Santa Monica Farmers Market.

I love my hat (and my cheap corded headphones which never run out of battery…lol). I ate my weight in all of the free samples. It will never cease to amaze me that Californians can just buy CITRUS at the farmers market….!!!!!!

the Sungolds!

the colors!!

a very, VERY delicious dinner at Mensho with my BFF from college before the event last night!

Just yapping with Cameron Esposito (no big deal!!!) at The Ripped Bodice last night….so fun!!! Please note the absolutely perfect Ruby sitting on Cameron’s lap.

Fellow 831 Stories authors Catie Disabato + Alexandra (Van) Romanoff came!!!!

Look at this sweet crew! Long live bookstores!!!

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MORE EVENTS TOMORROW + NEXT WEEK!!!

FRIDAY JUNE 26th / Signing at Pride Book Fair

• The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center [208 West 13th Street, NYC]

• I’ll be signing at 3p but the whole day sounds pretty great!!

• Info + tickets are here!

WEDNESDAY JULY 1st / Conversation + Signing with Virginia Sole-Smith

• INNESS [10 Bank St. / Accord, NY]

• 5p - 7p

• This is a free event, but RSVP (here!) is required (free drinks + books for sale!)

SATURDAY JULY 4th / Signing at the Kingston Famers Market with Rough Draft Books

• Kingston Famers Market [285 Wall Street, Kingston NY]

• 9a - 1p