T.L. Simpson
@tlsimpson.bsky.social
STRONG LIKE YOU, COPE FIELD, ACCELERANT. Award-winning journalist and author. Word factory. Newspaper editor by day. He/him. Rep'd by Shari Maurer.
www.tlsimpson.net
www.tlsimpson.net
Pinned
T.L. Simpson
@tlsimpson.bsky.social
· Dec 12
“A wise, emotionally rich tale of a young man finding his way through family trauma.”
Thanks to Kirkus for this starred review of COPE FIELD by @tlsimpson.bsky.social! 🌟
www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews...
Thanks to Kirkus for this starred review of COPE FIELD by @tlsimpson.bsky.social! 🌟
www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews...
COPE FIELD | Kirkus Reviews
Years after his mother abandoned their family, a teen baseball star struggles with his feelings toward his abusive father in this contemporary novel set in small-town Arkansas.
www.kirkusreviews.com
I finally get to tell y'all that my upcoming novel COPE FIELD received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews. I'm blown away!
Pre-orders available now.
ARCs also available on NetGalley.
Out April 22.
Let's go!
Pre-orders available now.
ARCs also available on NetGalley.
Out April 22.
Let's go!
I finally broke out of my executive dysfunction to get this interview out into the world! K.T. Nguyen is an Anthony and Agatha-award winning author. So grateful she took time out to chat!
Word by Word: K.T. Nguyen
In conversation with T.L. Simpson
substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:57 PM
I finally broke out of my executive dysfunction to get this interview out into the world! K.T. Nguyen is an Anthony and Agatha-award winning author. So grateful she took time out to chat!
Scope this pretty rad review from YALSA.
"Teens that enjoy realistic reads with hopeful endings will enjoy this one. Fans of Cope FIeld would also like T. L. Simpson’s first book, Strong Like You, Saints of the Household by Ari Tison, and Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt."
"Teens that enjoy realistic reads with hopeful endings will enjoy this one. Fans of Cope FIeld would also like T. L. Simpson’s first book, Strong Like You, Saints of the Household by Ari Tison, and Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt."
Best Fiction for Young Adults (#BFYA2026) Featured Review: Cope Field by T.L. Simpson
Craw’s voice and inner anger as he deals with abuse, expectations, and living in a place the book says “many don’t get out of” is so freshly done and has enough of small tow…
www.yalsa.ala.org
November 5, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Scope this pretty rad review from YALSA.
"Teens that enjoy realistic reads with hopeful endings will enjoy this one. Fans of Cope FIeld would also like T. L. Simpson’s first book, Strong Like You, Saints of the Household by Ari Tison, and Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt."
"Teens that enjoy realistic reads with hopeful endings will enjoy this one. Fans of Cope FIeld would also like T. L. Simpson’s first book, Strong Like You, Saints of the Household by Ari Tison, and Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt."
Sat down to chat with Andy Davidson author of IN THE VALLEY OF THE SUN, THE HOLLOW KIND and THE BOATMAN'S DAUGHTER about craft, social media, horror and more. Check it out and give me a follow if you like this kind of thing!
Word by Word: Andy Davidson
In conversation with T.L. Simpson
substack.com
October 21, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Sat down to chat with Andy Davidson author of IN THE VALLEY OF THE SUN, THE HOLLOW KIND and THE BOATMAN'S DAUGHTER about craft, social media, horror and more. Check it out and give me a follow if you like this kind of thing!
Oh, hey. STRONG LIKE YOU is an Arkansas Gem.
library.arkansas.gov/.../arkansas...
library.arkansas.gov/.../arkansas...
October 12, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Oh, hey. STRONG LIKE YOU is an Arkansas Gem.
library.arkansas.gov/.../arkansas...
library.arkansas.gov/.../arkansas...
Amazing and awesome. So honored to be selected.
We are honored that STRONG LIKE YOU by @tlsimpson.bsky.social is the 2026 Teen All Iowa Read! Thanks to the State Library of Iowa for selecting Simpson's thrilling YA debut. 🧡 statelibraryofiowa.gov/news/2025-10...
2026 All Iowa Reads Selections Announced
The 2026 All Iowa Reads selections were announced Oct. 9 on Iowa Public Radio’s Talk of Iowa program with host Charity Nebbe.
statelibraryofiowa.gov
October 10, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Amazing and awesome. So honored to be selected.
It's been a minute, but I'm back with more author chats. Scope this one if you like cozy fantasy. In conversation with Markelle Grabo, author of Call Forth a Fox.
Word by Word: Markelle Grabo
In conversation with T.L. Simpson
substack.com
October 1, 2025 at 1:09 PM
It's been a minute, but I'm back with more author chats. Scope this one if you like cozy fantasy. In conversation with Markelle Grabo, author of Call Forth a Fox.
Sat down with Jeff Wooten for the latest edition of Word By Word. We talk a little craft, a little bit about debut year. I forgot to ask him why he's so scared to fight me in the Barnes & Noble parking lot.
Word by Word: Jeff Wooten
In conversation with T.L. Simpson
open.substack.com
September 8, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Sat down with Jeff Wooten for the latest edition of Word By Word. We talk a little craft, a little bit about debut year. I forgot to ask him why he's so scared to fight me in the Barnes & Noble parking lot.
Reposted by T.L. Simpson
Had a good day at Little Rock’s @barnesandnoble.com with @tlsimpson.bsky.social and @johnhornor.bsky.social and many others. John and Travis are good people.
August 31, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Had a good day at Little Rock’s @barnesandnoble.com with @tlsimpson.bsky.social and @johnhornor.bsky.social and many others. John and Travis are good people.
Sat down with Tatiana Schlote-Bonne to chat book marketing and more. Plus, I finally realized my longterm dream of having a fake magic card made using my book cover.
Word by Word: Tatiana-Schlote-Bonne
In conversation with T.L. Simpson
substack.com
August 25, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Sat down with Tatiana Schlote-Bonne to chat book marketing and more. Plus, I finally realized my longterm dream of having a fake magic card made using my book cover.
I’m glad this typo happened
August 21, 2025 at 6:50 PM
I’m glad this typo happened
Reposted by T.L. Simpson
“COPE FIELD will punch you in the gut, break your heart, and somehow put it back together again....It deserves to be an instant classic.” —@trishlundy.bsky.social, author of THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY WITH MURDER
COPE FIELD by @tlsimpson.bsky.social is out now! ⚾
northstareditions.com/flux/cope-fi...
COPE FIELD by @tlsimpson.bsky.social is out now! ⚾
northstareditions.com/flux/cope-fi...
August 20, 2025 at 9:51 PM
“COPE FIELD will punch you in the gut, break your heart, and somehow put it back together again....It deserves to be an instant classic.” —@trishlundy.bsky.social, author of THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY WITH MURDER
COPE FIELD by @tlsimpson.bsky.social is out now! ⚾
northstareditions.com/flux/cope-fi...
COPE FIELD by @tlsimpson.bsky.social is out now! ⚾
northstareditions.com/flux/cope-fi...
Me and fellow 2024debut Freya Finch, author of RISE (Disney/Hyperion), sat down to chat writing recently. Check it out!
open.substack.com/pub/tlsimpso...
open.substack.com/pub/tlsimpso...
Word by Word: Freya Finch
T.L. Simpson in conversation with Freya Finch, author of Rise (Disney/Hyperion)
open.substack.com
August 11, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Me and fellow 2024debut Freya Finch, author of RISE (Disney/Hyperion), sat down to chat writing recently. Check it out!
open.substack.com/pub/tlsimpso...
open.substack.com/pub/tlsimpso...
Reposted by T.L. Simpson
“With a voice that grabs hold of you and doesn’t let go until its gut-wrenching final page, Simpson weaves a heartbreaking tale.... A beautiful, important novel.” —MK Pagano, author of GIRLS WHO BURN
COPE FIELD by T. L. Simpson is available now! ❤️
northstareditions.com/flux/cope-fi...
COPE FIELD by T. L. Simpson is available now! ❤️
northstareditions.com/flux/cope-fi...
July 28, 2025 at 3:37 PM
“With a voice that grabs hold of you and doesn’t let go until its gut-wrenching final page, Simpson weaves a heartbreaking tale.... A beautiful, important novel.” —MK Pagano, author of GIRLS WHO BURN
COPE FIELD by T. L. Simpson is available now! ❤️
northstareditions.com/flux/cope-fi...
COPE FIELD by T. L. Simpson is available now! ❤️
northstareditions.com/flux/cope-fi...
I interviewed NYT bestselling author Marc. J Gregson, author of the ABOVE THE BLACK trilogy. Check it out, and while you're there, subscribe to my newsletter.
Word by Word: NYT bestselling author Marc J Gregson
T.L. Simpson in conversation with Marc J. Gregson
substack.com
July 28, 2025 at 2:13 PM
I interviewed NYT bestselling author Marc. J Gregson, author of the ABOVE THE BLACK trilogy. Check it out, and while you're there, subscribe to my newsletter.
I sat down with Matteo L. Cerilli, author of LOCKJAW (Tundra, 2024); middle grade ghost story SOMETHING'S UP WITH ARLO (HarperCollins Canada, 2025); YA noir BAD IN THE BLOOD (Tundra, 2025); YA gamer action FATHOM FALL (Bloomsbury, 2026) to talk craft.
Check it out!
Check it out!
Word by Word
In conversation with Matteo L. Cerilli.
open.substack.com
July 21, 2025 at 2:58 PM
I sat down with Matteo L. Cerilli, author of LOCKJAW (Tundra, 2024); middle grade ghost story SOMETHING'S UP WITH ARLO (HarperCollins Canada, 2025); YA noir BAD IN THE BLOOD (Tundra, 2025); YA gamer action FATHOM FALL (Bloomsbury, 2026) to talk craft.
Check it out!
Check it out!
Superman may have fixed whatever was wrong with me
July 16, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Superman may have fixed whatever was wrong with me
petition to stop calling it AI "art" and them AI "artists."
It's not art and they aren't artists.
It's not art and they aren't artists.
July 15, 2025 at 7:27 PM
petition to stop calling it AI "art" and them AI "artists."
It's not art and they aren't artists.
It's not art and they aren't artists.
I’ll be putting my journalism experience to good use by publishing Q&A articles with authors on Substack.
We’ll dig deep into craft, talk about inspiration, method, process and more.
We’ve got NYT bestsellers on deck, career authors, debuts and more. It’s going to be awesome. Link in bio!
We’ll dig deep into craft, talk about inspiration, method, process and more.
We’ve got NYT bestsellers on deck, career authors, debuts and more. It’s going to be awesome. Link in bio!
July 15, 2025 at 7:27 PM
I’ll be putting my journalism experience to good use by publishing Q&A articles with authors on Substack.
We’ll dig deep into craft, talk about inspiration, method, process and more.
We’ve got NYT bestsellers on deck, career authors, debuts and more. It’s going to be awesome. Link in bio!
We’ll dig deep into craft, talk about inspiration, method, process and more.
We’ve got NYT bestsellers on deck, career authors, debuts and more. It’s going to be awesome. Link in bio!
I got suspended on threads for telling someone arguing that AI writing is still writing to “eat shit”
Not sorry
Not sorry
July 9, 2025 at 8:23 PM
I got suspended on threads for telling someone arguing that AI writing is still writing to “eat shit”
Not sorry
Not sorry
Reposted by T.L. Simpson
“COPE FIELD is a home run. A gripping modern classic, full of so much heart and grit and punk rock tenacity, each word refuses to leave you dry-eyed. T. L. Simpson simply doesn’t miss.” — @freyafinch.bsky.social (RISE)
Out now! @tlsimpson.bsky.social ⚾️❤️
northstareditions.com/flux/cope-fi...
Out now! @tlsimpson.bsky.social ⚾️❤️
northstareditions.com/flux/cope-fi...
July 8, 2025 at 10:34 PM
“COPE FIELD is a home run. A gripping modern classic, full of so much heart and grit and punk rock tenacity, each word refuses to leave you dry-eyed. T. L. Simpson simply doesn’t miss.” — @freyafinch.bsky.social (RISE)
Out now! @tlsimpson.bsky.social ⚾️❤️
northstareditions.com/flux/cope-fi...
Out now! @tlsimpson.bsky.social ⚾️❤️
northstareditions.com/flux/cope-fi...
We started a Discord for traditionally published authors with books coming out in 2026. It's gotten a good number of authors, but we require MORE! Yell at me if you'd like an invite.
July 7, 2025 at 5:57 PM
We started a Discord for traditionally published authors with books coming out in 2026. It's gotten a good number of authors, but we require MORE! Yell at me if you'd like an invite.
We are starting to get a good number of authors. Get in on this!
I started a discord for author networking. Holler at me if you're a traditionally published author with a book coming out in 2026 for an invite!
2026 Author Boost
BOOST BOOST BOOST BOOST
open.substack.com
July 6, 2025 at 1:21 PM
We are starting to get a good number of authors. Get in on this!
Reposted by T.L. Simpson
I started a discord for author networking. Holler at me if you're a traditionally published author with a book coming out in 2026 for an invite!
2026 Author Boost
BOOST BOOST BOOST BOOST
open.substack.com
July 5, 2025 at 4:03 PM
I started a discord for author networking. Holler at me if you're a traditionally published author with a book coming out in 2026 for an invite!
I started a discord for author networking. Holler at me if you're a traditionally published author with a book coming out in 2026 for an invite!
2026 Author Boost
BOOST BOOST BOOST BOOST
open.substack.com
July 5, 2025 at 4:03 PM
I started a discord for author networking. Holler at me if you're a traditionally published author with a book coming out in 2026 for an invite!
Reposted by T.L. Simpson
If you are a trad published author (or debut) with a book coming out in 2026, I've put together a discord channel for networking, support, signal boosts, etc. Holler at me for an invite.
July 4, 2025 at 4:13 PM
If you are a trad published author (or debut) with a book coming out in 2026, I've put together a discord channel for networking, support, signal boosts, etc. Holler at me for an invite.