Elizabeth Acevedo
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anger_is_only_a_shadow_cover

by Liz | Jul 27, 2026

AIOAS cover

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“And you are a threat knowing yourself You are a t “And you are a threat knowing yourself You are a threat loving yourself You are a threat loving your kin You are a threat loving your children You black girl magic You black girl fly You black girl brilliance You black girl wonder You black girl shine You black girl bloom” — @mobrowne
March, you were full of the best food, the best pe March, you were full of the best food, the best people, the best flowers, the best events, the best updates. Also, an on-again, off-again relationship with this cold I can’t shake and the squirrel that steals my granola bar at the playground. Note: I did not take the incredible picture of the road sentineled by cherry blossoms—hubby is the 5am runner in the family and all credit goes to him 🌸
THIS. IS. NOT. A. JOKE. When Lil’s instinct for f THIS. IS. NOT. A. JOKE. When Lil’s instinct for freedom leads to another stay in D.C. juvenile detention, Lil knows she’s lucky to just be on probation. But judgment, guilt, and an ankle monitor weigh heavily on her, and she can’t shake that pinned-down feeling. The only person who might understand is her big brother, Aldwin. Except he’s more distant now than just the hundred miles where he’s away at college. Something’s been off with him for a couple of months, but only Lil seems to realize how important it is to get to him. As her court hearing ticks closer, a question looms over Lil as the missed phone calls and strange texts from her brother pile up: will she follow the rules until her sentencing, or put her future freedom on the line? Preorder link in my bio! Shoutout to @kiliallano for her incredible artwork. This cover is EVERYTHING 😍
Anger Is Only A Shadow. Fifty-one rejected titles Anger Is Only A Shadow. Fifty-one rejected titles later, I finally arrived at the name for this novel. I can’t wait to share more! An exciting announcement is coming later this week (forgive me for playing the anticipation game, and also you’re welcome for having something to look forward to!) 🫶🏽
Wow, THE POET X really was that girl! Happy 8th Wow, THE POET X really was that girl! Happy 8th pub birthday to this gem. Shoutout to all the folks who have loved up in this book throughout the years. 🫶🏽
Things are heavy and posting content feels tone de Things are heavy and posting content feels tone deaf and ineffectual. But books for me have always been the path toward hope and problem-solving, so still going to make some recs. And these are such sweet books for the kiddo in your life, or even if you don’t have kiddos in your life! Beautifully illustrated and loving stories are for all of us. 💗
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The most wholesome trend. #thisis The most wholesome trend. #thisis
February recap! My favorite month of the year. Thi February recap! My favorite month of the year. This black ass month, this celebratory month, this month of Antilles magic, rotations around the mother star, this month of frost, this month of darkness and thawing; ice and little peeks into Spring.
Ending BHM with a Baldwin rec! And since I’m sugge Ending BHM with a Baldwin rec! And since I’m suggesting the audiobook, quick plug for my favorite ways to listen to books: @libby.app and @librofm
Monday musings on AI and writing and humor! Monday musings on AI and writing and humor!
Been thinking a lot about pregnancy/motherhood, an Been thinking a lot about pregnancy/motherhood, and creativity. I remember reading an article once that said for a woman to be a successful author, she should have no children, or at most, only one. Lots of popular ideas on a writing life and motherhood and, well, so far babies have been great for my creativity & my queen mother, Lucille Clifton had six kids, so 🤷🏽‍♀️
I don’t want to be vulnerable about this, and I do I don’t want to be vulnerable about this, and I don’t want to belabor the point because talking about weight is so boring to me, but it feels important to share that I have been insecure about my weight the majority of my life and that insecurity was learned. Name a fad diet, or weight loss program, or whatever, I have done it. That insecurity was seeded and watered and it didn’t matter what I looked like or that my blood work has always been great, the scale has an outsized impact. In the last few years, I’ve worked with dietians and read and have worked so my relationship with food and my body isn’t hateful. I’m still trying to uproot how my eyes have learned to see myself. That said, this book was so good at situating how the perception of fatness has changed throughout history and the moment it became racialized and if like me books help you feel fortified, this book is for you.
Puerto Rico thank you for letting me breathe, and Puerto Rico thank you for letting me breathe, and celebrate, and rest, and bask. What a way to jumpstart ✨38✨
Meet your heroes! This event with Julia Alvarez ba Meet your heroes! This event with Julia Alvarez back in 2019 was such a highlight of my career. She’s always been such a beacon of what it means to make a life of the mind; to commit to writing for as long as it will have us. Shoutout to @maisonvalentino for giving us such pretty things to wear.
I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this bo I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this book, LOCA by @aleherex. What a nuanced deep dive into how friendships allow us to practice being our true selves, and how they also challenge us to show up better. If you have a homies book club, this should be your next read!
First out-of-town event since having the littlest First out-of-town event since having the littlest baby. I was well-rested, I looked over the questions in advance and rehearsed my reading. I remembered to travel with a copy of my novel so I could practice on the plane. I ate breakfast, was mindful about my caffeine intake. When I tell you they read my bio, and called me up and as I was preparing to walk across stage I felt the nerves butterfly in my core. But I’m never mad at the nerves. I felt great on stage and held so lovingly by the moderator, Raquel Moran, and the organization: The Oregon Latino Administrators Association. I even managed to watch Bridgerton and take a walk after the event instead of performing a doom-recollection of everything I should have said “better.” Now, ask me if I remembered to pack a toothbrush, face moisturizer, or my contact lenses? No, gentle reader, I did not. Signed copies of my books at the flagship @powellsbooks. And wow, this birria bowl at @colibribytamaleboy was too good.
Last February I was doing a school residency in Ha Last February I was doing a school residency in Hawaii. Every class I visited presented me with a lei ceremoniously placed around my neck. Each flower and its placement had significance. Even the lei being open (which is traditional for pregnant women) was a thoughtful gesture of welcome for both of us. I was told when I was done with the leis to return them back to the earth; not to dispose of them in the garbage. And so, the day before I left, on the morning I turned 37, twenty-two week pregnant, I offered these flowers back to Hawaii, I gave thanks and asked for blessings from my ancestors, I prayed for the child I carried and the momma and woman I would need to become. I’m a woowoo-ass bitch so none of this should surprise you! But this pregnancy I leaned into rituals. Loud declarations of thanks. Clear and vocal requests for divine support. I’m so grateful for how I was able to experience it. 🌺
Soooo….I’m trying something new 🫣 Recommend Wedn Soooo….I’m trying something new 🫣 Recommend Wednesdays: a midweek pause to share the books I can’t stop thinking about. This week’s pick: WE’RE ALONE, by @edwidgedanticat
This is the office I pictured myself writing my no This is the office I pictured myself writing my novels in...here’s where I actually write. Also, clearly I’m only inspired by avocado?
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