What if the writing life isn’t about daily word counts―but about daily attention to your whole self?

You don’t need to write every day to be a writer. You don’t need perfect conditions, endless hours, or a life free from doubt. What you need is permission to bring your whole, imperfect self to the page―and practices that nourish your soul as you write.

All of life is the writing life.

Drawing on her experience as a spiritual director working primarily with writers, Charlotte Donlon offers something rare: a book that honors both the craft of writing and the care of the soul. Through contemplative practices, personal stories, and wisdom from writers like Toni Morrison, Margaret Walker, and Kaveh Akbar, she invites you to discover how rest, doubt, grief, and joy all become sacred ground for creative flourishing.

Structured around five essential movements―“Begin,” “Belong,” “Become,” “Behold,” “Bestow”―this book offers practical rituals and gentle companionship for the real conditions of your life. Whether you’re navigating resistance, recovering from burnout, or simply longing for a more sustainable practice, you’ll find permission to write from exactly where you are.

Writers of all backgrounds are welcome here. People of deep faith and profound doubt. Those who write every day and those who write in stolen moments. Published authors and private journalers. This is a sanctuary, not a system―a space where your creative identity isn’t measured by output but nourished by attention.

Spiritual Direction for Writers doesn’t promise to make you more productive. It promises something better: to help you become more fully yourself, on and off the page. Because when writing helps make you a kinder, wiser, and more generous human being―when it opens you to what matters most―you’ve already succeeded.

“Charlotte’s book makes space, supports readers, writers, and listeners, and truly cares about the people who encounter its pages. It is a place to land and rest, a place to be curious, to experiment, to pray, to breathe, to feel, and to embrace the truth of your identity as a writer.”
―Ashley M. Jones, poet laureate emerita of Alabama

From the queen of genre-bending speculative fiction, comes the newest Sauútiverse offering, a mystery like no other, where the investigator is not a detective, but a sound scientist.

In a world where sound is a tangible force, Muso’mi is a maadiregi―an expert in the art of consuming it. At the prestigious Mahadum, she researches the language of silence, seeking to master the gift her mother calls theft. But academic intrigue turns to deadly peril when her friend vanishes after unearthing a hidden truth. Pursuing clues through pools of quietude across worlds, Muso’mi stumbles upon a horrifying discovery: a pattern of carnage left in fields of harvested silence. Now, the hunter becomes the hunted, as her unique expertise draws her into the orbit of a serial killer who understands the power of sound all too well.

Includes a glossary of Bantu, Afrocentric and made-up words from this cross-cultural tale written in gorgeous lyrical language packed with emotion.

From award-winning author Rhonda McKnight comes a new story of faith, history, and the power of legacy that merges the romance of The Bookshop Sisterhood with the rich Lowcountry setting of Mary Alice Monroe.

Alexandra Chambers is a writer who has run out of words. Struggling with writer's block and the pressure to secure a new book deal, she wins a week in a writer-friendly cabin through a drawing held at a Lowcountry literacy center.

What she finds is far more than she expected--a vibrant community brimming with inspiration, a past steeped in history and culture, and a man who both intrigues and unsettles her.

Gabe Scott, a bestselling author and the former writer-in-residence, is everything Alex feels she's not--acclaimed, award-winning, and unshakably confident. When their paths cross at the center, his literary brilliance and dedication to helping struggling Gullah students stir feelings Alex isn't ready to confront. Though undeniably attracted to him, Alex wrestles with the fear that her books pale beside his celebrated work.

When a surprising family connection unearths long-hidden truths about her past, Alex is forced to confront a lie that has shaped her life. Guided by the quiet wisdom of Ms. Kate, an elderly Gullah cleaning woman with losses of her own, Alex finds the strength to forgive truths long withheld, embrace her voice, and write the story only she can tell.

Writer in Residence is a rich and layered choice for book clubs eager to explore themes of identity, family secrets, creative reinvention, and the power of place. McKnight's lush Lowcountry setting and unforgettable cast of characters spark meaningful conversation about Gullah Geechee culture, the stories we inherit, and the courage it takes to tell our own truth. An included discussion guide makes it easy for groups to dig deeper into Alex's journey of rediscovery--and perhaps reflect on the hidden roots in their own lives.

James Beard Outstanding Pastry Chef finalist and Food & Wine Best New Chef Caroline Schiff believes a sweet treat is the perfect daily ritual, and her book is designed to sweeten life in just the right dose.

Why wait for a special occasion when dessert can be part of every day?

Star chef Caroline Schiff believes a sweet treat is an important daily ritual―something small and simple, or occasionally a showstopper to celebrate big moments. Daily Dessert is her joyful, highly versatile collection of recipes designed to sweeten life in just the right dose.

Sometimes that means one perfect cookie warm from the oven, a snacking cake to last all week, a no-bake refresher on a scorching day, or a cozy pudding for a winter night. Organized by mood and moment, chapters move from Simple Little Sweets (quick, small-batch recipes) to Weekly Snacking Bakes, Sunny Day Sweets, Cozy Day Confections, Dessert for Breakfast, No-Bake Treats, and Celebration Sweets―plus a Basics section with Schiff’s essential doughs, sauces, and toppings.

Recipes are approachable yet irresistible, the kind of things fans already love from Schiff: Hot Butterscotch Pecan Blondies, Upside-Down Clementine Olive Oil Snacking Cake, Raspberry Crème Fraîche Galette, Espresso Crunch Coffee Cake, Gingersnap and Orange Cream Sandwiches, No-Churn Toasted Cinnamon Ice Cream, and her iconic Baked Alaska for a Crowd.

Daily Dessert is an invitation to embrace the joy of sweets as part of everyday life. With Schiff’s playful voice, professional know-how, and unfussy recipes, this book is for everyone―novice bakers, seasoned pros, and anyone who simply believes dessert makes life better.

From the charismatic author of Cooking for the Culture, a collection of heritage recipes inspired by the oldest-known published cookbook written by a Black woman.

Cooking from Scratch is chef and storyteller Toya Boudy’s most personal―and most irresistible―cookbook yet. Written during a transformative chapter in her life, it’s infused with the warmth, humor, and grit that have made her a morning-show favorite. Drawing inspiration from Malinda Russell’s groundbreaking 1866 cookbook, A Domestic Cook Book, Boudy reimagines simple, soul-satisfying dishes designed to bring people together. In the wake of divorce and deep self-reflection, she has returned to the kitchen―the place that saved her nearly 30 years ago as a teenage single mom. Cooking from Scratch includes 70 family-loved recipes shaped by the cultures that define her: Mini Crawfish Pies, Jamaican Curry, African Spinach Stew, homey Salisbury Steak, and more. Beyond the table, she shares 20 natural remedies―from herbal cough syrup to “Detox” Lentil Soup―that nourish body and spirit alike.

With every page, Boudy shows how healing, joy, and resilience can begin with something beautifully simple: cooking from scratch.

75 photographs

An intimate celebration of New Orleans food and its Black culture from a born-and-raised local chef.

Toya Boudy’s father grew up in the Magnolia projects of New Orleans; her mother shared a tight space with five siblings uptown. They worked hard, rotated shifts, and found time to make meals from scratch for the family. In Cooking for the Culture, Boudy shares these recipes, many of which are deeply rooted in the proud Black traditions that shaped her hometown. Driving the cookbook are her personal stories: from struggling in school to having a baby at sixteen, from her growing confidence in the kitchen to her appearances on Food Network. The cookbook opens with Sweet Cream Farina, prepared at the crack of dawn for girls in freshly ironed clothes—being neat and pressed was important. Boudy recounts making cookies from her commodity box peanut butter; explains the know-how behind Smothered Chicken, Jambalaya, and Red Gravy; and shares her original television competition recipes. The result is a deeply personal and unique cookbook.

Celebrate the release of Cooking From Scratch with Toya Boudy! This specially curated event will feature a food and beverage tastings that perfectly complement the conversation and bring the book's flavors to life.

EVENT DEETS

When: Thursday, July 16 @ 7 PM

Where: Kindred Stories (2310 Elgin St, #2, Houston, TX 77004)

How: RSVP Only ticket to reserve your seat and participate in the event, or select RSVP with Book to receive a copy of the book while supporting the author and our store programming. Both ticket options include a tasting portion of the gumbo featured in the book and a specially curated. 

*Please note that outside copies of the book will not be allowed in the bookstore, and you will not be eligible for the signing/photo line. All tickets are nonrefundable. 

ABOUT THE BOOK

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Toya Boudy is a New Orleans chef, artist, poet, television personality, and storyteller whose work lives at the intersection of food, culture, and community. Known for her warm, approachable teaching style and deep respect for culinary tradition, she uses food as a way to preserve memory, share wisdom, and bring people together.

Her cookbook journey began with Cook Like a New Orleanian, followed by Cooking for the Culture, both of which celebrate the flavors, techniques, and spirit of New Orleans while honoring the broader cultural influences that shape Southern cooking.

Her third cookbook, Cooking from Scratch, continues that mission with an even deeper focus on foundational kitchen skills, recipes, remedies, pantry building, and practical household knowledge. It is designed as a modern guide to self-sufficiency in the kitchen—teaching readers not just what to cook, but how to build confidence and create from the ground up. The work also pays homage to the legacy of early Black culinary pioneers such as Malinda Russell, whose contributions helped shape American cookbook history.

Her work continues to center food as culture, memory, and a way of building and sustaining community.

ABOUT THE CONVERSATION PARTNER

Michelle Wallace is a Houston-based chef, pitmaster, and tv-personality originally from St. Louis. Her passion for food began while studying Healthcare Administration at Texas Southern University.  Houston's rich culinary diversity shaped her approach to how she cooks today. She pursued formal culinary training at The Art Institute of Houston and expanded her global perspective while studying abroad in China.

Once settled in Houston, she trained under renowned chef Mark Holley at Pesce and cooked privately for various professional athletes. In 2017, she joined forces with legendary pitmaster and James Beard Nominated, Greg Gatlin, spending over six years honing her craft. Drawing from a childhood love of sandwiches, Wallace developed smoked creations that earned statewide acclaim.

In 2023, Wallace launched B’tween Sandwich Co., specializing in comfort food, smoked meats, and traditional fare for creative sandwich lovers. That same year she competed on Bravo’s Top Chef (Season 21), making it to the Top 6 and earning the coveted Fan Favorite title. She has also competed on Food Network’s BBQ Brawl (Season 3) and appeared on Food Network’s Bobby’s Triple Threat (Season 4), taking on Bobby Flay’s Titans in the secret kitchen arena. Additional notable appearances include Food Network's Flavortown (Season 1),  Netflix’s High on the Hog docuseries (Season 1) and BET’s The Recipe: Juneteenth Celebration. Wallace is also a resident expert contributor to online publications Tasting Table and Mashed and you can listen to her talk food on the Houston Matters Podcast: The Full Menu via Houston Public Media.