What Writers Read: Episode 1

Hello and welcome to Mourning Pages, a newsletter about writing, reading, and the creative life in the midst of grief. Check out my debut novel, Doll Parts, and Accidents Never Happen (1/12/27) from Sourcebooks Landmark. Subscribing helps me continue to write and share. Thank you for being here. Quick announcement: Barnes & Noble is having their amazing pre-order sale. 25% off! You can pre-order Accidents Never Happen from today, June 23 through Friday, June 26!Friends. I just created a podcast. It is raw and messy and imperfect (and all of my other favorite words). But it’s on Substack and Spotify and Apple, too. I’m pretty excited. Here is the first episode, a chat with author Alexandria Faulkenbury about her reading life, including how it has changed since having kids and publishing her debut novel last year. We discuss her favorite book, her relationship to audiobooks, as well as linked short story collections and what she’s reading now. Let’s call this episode “Pretty Loud for a Quiet Girl.” Listen to the end to see why.Thank you to Alex for joining in as I continue to grapple with the connection between reading, writing, and publishing.Alexandria Faulkenbury is the author of Somewhere Past the End, a 2025 Foreword INDIES gold medal winner. When she's not writing, she can be found grading papers, reading, or trying a new hobby she will be joyfully bad at. She lives in South Carolina with her husband, two rambunctious kids, and one ornery dog.Where to find Alexandria Faulkenbury online:instagram - @amfaulkenburySubstackWebsite - alexandriafaulkenbury.comAnd please read her amazing debut novel, Somewhere Past the EndThank you for being here! I’ll get back to regular updates soon! —Penny✨ Also: I write books. ✨* Accidents Never Happen—out January 12, 2027!!!* Available for pre-order at Bookshop and all the other places* Add Accidents Never Happen on Goodreads* Doll Parts—out now!* On Bookshop and wherever books are sold Get full access to Mourning Pages at pennyzang.substack.com/subscribe