Christen Randall
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bycrandall.bsky.social
Christen Randall
@bycrandall.bsky.social
950 followers 260 following 170 posts
Bestselling YA Author. Queer. Fat. Neurodivergent. ACCORDING TO PLAN (2/3/26) and THE NO-GIRLFRIEND RULE (Out Now). They/She.
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bycrandall.bsky.social
Okay look I know this is not a very sales-y place BUT I created this design on my own as a not-very-visual person and I am proud of it so I am sharing it!!!!

Making my Canva Pro subscription WORK this month. 💅🏻✨
November 24, 2025 at 4:59 PM
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Signed preorders are here!

I’m really hype to partner with one of my favorite local independent bookstores to offer signed preorders of According to Plan!

As a thank you, I’ll also stuff your copy with some extra swag, inspired by the book and handmade by me!
On a green, blue, purple, orange and pink color-blocked background is a centered image of the cover of ACCORDING TO PLAN by Christen Randall. Above it, in black text boxes, are the words “Signed Preorders!” Below in a black text box is the text, “The According to Plan Sort-Of Preorder Campaign!” On a green, blue, purple, orange and pink color-blocked background is the centered text, “Preoder this! Get this!” On the Preorder This side is an image of the cover of ACCORDING TO PLAN by Christen Randall on the lefthand side, with the text “signed and personalized by yours truly!” On the Get This! side is an image of a bookmark with Christen Randall’s face on it in, designed in the style of According to Plan’s cover, two zines, and a hand-written Post-it note that features a heart and the phrase “make stuff that matter.” Below is the text “Only when you preorder through Joseph Beth Booksellers. Bit.ly/SignedATP.”
November 18, 2025 at 5:31 PM
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My first review for ACCORDING TO PLAN came in and it’s a star from Kirkus!

I’m presenting it without comment because honestly I’m speechless. Thank you, Kirkus!
On a plain white background is cover of According to Plan by Christen Randall. At its top right corner is a blue star within a circle. Below is the header “According to Plan by Christen Randall. Release Date Feb. 3, 2026. A rich, authentic, and affirming story about building your community.” On a white back round is the review in full: A nonbinary neurodivergent teen in Kentucky fights to find a safe space after their school magazine is cancelled. Mal Flowers has always followed The Plan: They’ll be the editor of their school’s literary magazine, get good grades to keep their hypercritical mother happy, and support their sister until they both leave their small town for college. When the school loses funding, making it impossible for Collage to continue publication, Mal feels lost. And they’re not the only student desperately seeking another creative outlet. Loud and exuberant Emerson suggests the group go rogue and create a zine. Though Emerson is seemingly Mal’s opposite in every way, the more they work together, the more Mal feels like they’ve finally found a place where they belong and a person who gets them. Emerson, who’s bisexual and has ADHD, depression, and anxiety, offers Mal the comfort of being understood. Mal is a well-realized character, a fat teen who describes their experiences with dyslexia, ADHD, and possible autism in ways that are understandable and relatable. Alongside their sweet romance, Randall also realistically explores Mal’s struggles with family pressure and finding their own interests; these relationships are exceptionally well drawn. Interspersed between chapters are pages from Mal’s planner, text messages, emails, and pages from the zine, adding visual interest. Mal and Emerson are white, and the zine crew is diverse in race, sexual orientation, and gender identity. A rich, authentic, and affirming story about building your community. (Ficton. 13-18.)
November 8, 2025 at 2:06 PM
bycrandall.bsky.social
My second book is up on Netgalley!

I’m so excited (and anxious but that’s the norm) for this cast of characters to meet the world. I am really proud of this book! Check it out if you love a cozy-but-complicated coming of age queer romance. Mal’s story is for you!
On a pink background with white checkerboard pattern, centered in a white starburst shape: REQUEST NOW ON NETGALLEY! Below, on the right hand side: an image of the cover of According to Plan by Christen Randall. To the left, the descriptors: Queer YA! neurodivergent for neurodivergent romance! kids making zines and creating community in the back room of a local coffee shop!
November 5, 2025 at 3:19 PM
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To Brag: I visited Ohio Renaissance Festival yesterday and through a series of events which mostly include me being an insufferable extrovert and Emotional On Main IRL, I was named the Queen’s Royal Author.

Thanks for unlocking this Author Goal I didn’t know I had, ORF!
September 29, 2025 at 2:57 PM
bycrandall.bsky.social
This book is my love letter to neurodivergent kids (of all ages), queer friendship, and the quiet but radical rebellion of standing in—and standing up for—your truth. I absolutely love it and I hope you will, too.

E-ARCs are on Edelweiss and going out from Simon Teen now!
According to Plan coming February 3, 2026 Mal Flowers expected senior year fall to be full of cozy sweaters, good coffee, and copyediting. As the new editor-in-chief of their school’s literary magazine, they just want to follow The Plan to graduate and get out of their small midwestern town—a place where, as a broke, fat, queer person with ADHD, they’ve never really fit in. But when budget cuts result in the lit mag’s cancellation, Mal is suddenly left scrambling for something to replace it. That is, until Emerson Pike—who also has ADHD but is loud, confident, and Mal’s complete opposite—suggests the staff go rogue and create a zine instead. Which would be cool, except that making and selling contraband isn’t exactly what Mal envisioned listing as the extracurricular activity on their college application. A zine would be unofficial, unapproved, and definitely not in The Plan. But a zine is also a good way to spend more time with Emerson, whose playful banter and bad jokes Mal can’t seem to get enough of. And maybe, with a group of new friends, the back of the charming coffee shop where Emerson works could be somewhere Mal does belong. Because breaking the rules with Emerson—and flirting with her over coffee—is fun. Maybe The Plan isn’t the only way to find happiness, but can Mal let go of something they’ve depended on for so long?
September 24, 2025 at 3:21 PM
bycrandall.bsky.social
Bookseller pals!

The Kids’ Indie Next nomination deadline is November 3, and I’m asking you to consider ACCORDING TO PLAN for yours!
On a green, blue, purple, orange, and pink colorblocked background, an image of the cover of ACCORDING TO PLAN by Christen Randall is in the top left corner. Beside it, with a pink headline, is the text “BOOKSELLERS! Consider ACCORDING TO PLAN for your Kids’ Indie Next Noms!” Below, with the heading “EARLY PRAISE” are the following pull quotes: “A must-read!” – Jonny Garza Villa, Stonewall Book Award-winning author of Canto Contigo; “Warm, witty, and wonderfully queer!" – Aiden Thomas, New York Times bestselling author of Cemetery Boys; “A total joy to read!” – Kristy Boyce, New York Times bestselling author of Dating & Dragons; “I LOVE it, Boo!” – Barclay Randall, my dad. Below that, in a black textbox, is the reminder: “(The deadline for the January/February list is NOVEMBER 3!)”
September 24, 2025 at 3:21 PM
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I reached my peak of marketing today. I’m afraid I’ll never be as good as this again.
July 10, 2025 at 11:12 PM
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The first chapter of my next book, ACCORDING TO PLAN, is in the back. 🤫
March 4, 2025 at 3:45 PM
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The No-Girlfriend Rule is out in paperback today! 🥳🎲✨
March 4, 2025 at 3:44 PM
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My SubStack is LIVE!

Check out my first newsletter and subscribe!

bychristenrandall.substack.com/p/writing-my...
March 4, 2025 at 2:40 PM
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The No-Girlfriend Rule comes to paperback March 4th!

Even cooler: the first chapter of my next cozy, feel-good romance ACCORDING TO PLAN, is included at the end! Be the first to meet my new nonbinary, neurodivergent af lead, Mal Flowers!
February 15, 2025 at 6:45 PM
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If you’re doing the BN Preorder Sale, consider preordering the paperback of The No-Girlfriend Rule!

The first chapter of my next cozy, queer YA romance, ACCORDING TO PLAN, is in the back! 👀👀👀
February 5, 2025 at 4:59 PM
bycrandall.bsky.social
Book Two tattoo! Book Two tattoo! Book Two tattoo!!!

Thank you to Robyn Roth at Mothers in Covington for making this one for me.
A black and gray tattoo featuring a central coffee cup on a saucer with a spoon, surrounded by fall foliage of oak leaves and acorns, ginkgo leaves, and wheat.
January 29, 2025 at 2:00 PM
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The No-Girlfriend Rule is a #PADIBA Longlist Selection!
January 13, 2025 at 3:22 PM
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Hey #Cincinnati!

Come hang out with me and Kristy Boyce to celebrate her swoony new romance, DATING AND DRAMA!

We’ll be in conversation at Joseph Beth Cincy on Sunday, January 12 at 2PM!
January 3, 2025 at 7:24 PM
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Today’s Author Snacks are brought to you by the colors orange, red, and yellow.
December 12, 2024 at 5:44 PM
bycrandall.bsky.social
Also I had to scroll though a lot of photos to reach where I had these saved, so please enjoy this photo of the jello mold I made for Thanksgiving. I lost some of the details when I de-molded but it was still very good!
December 5, 2024 at 2:41 PM
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And here’s all the other cool books you can read for free each day this month!
December 5, 2024 at 2:41 PM
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You can read my queer D&D-inspired YA novel, THE NO-GIRLFRIEND RULE for FREE today as part of @simonteen #25ReadsOfDecember!

Spoilers: there’s a Critmas party scene that is one of my favorite moments in the book!
December 5, 2024 at 2:41 PM
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Author! Snacks!
December 4, 2024 at 5:28 PM
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Author Snack of the day!
December 2, 2024 at 4:51 PM
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My second YA novel is officially off to copyedits and I need you to know there is a cameo from my babycat Gellie in it.
December 2, 2024 at 2:30 PM
bycrandall.bsky.social
I got influenced by some other author pals to get the Bonne Maman advent calendar.

So for today’s Author Snacks we have quince jam on toast. 😎
December 1, 2024 at 10:05 PM
bycrandall.bsky.social
When I am working on book stuff at the desk, I make myself Author Snacks.

I ADHD too close to the sun and forget when I am really focused if I don’t.

Here’s today’s!
A snack plate on a desk, with smoked Gouda cheese, cured meats, bread, and sliced tomatoes.
November 19, 2024 at 7:51 PM