iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Dani Terk @dterkwrites.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

WHERE THE LIGHT SHINES IN by Jenny Mattern ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ @jengelmattern.bsky.social

Book review typed on white background. 5 Stars

"Thank you NetGalley and North Star Editions/Jolly Fish Press for an eARC of Where the Light Shines In by Jenny Mattern.

Where the Light Shines In is the story of thirteen-year-old adoptee Gloria who plays the “Birth Mother” Game with her best friend, in which they rate strangers’ likelihood of being Gloria’s birth mother based on physical similarities. When a perfect ten looks up at her from the obituary page of her local newspaper, Gloria is determined to attend the woman’s funeral and learn about her likely birth mother. But finding the answers she desperately needs requires spinning a web of lies, implicating her best friend in the process, and hurting the people who love her most. And she’s not the only one concealing the truth.

Where the Light Shines In is a beautifully written story that is equally heartbreaking and heartwarming. Mattern illuminates the complex emotions related to adoption for adoptees, their adoptive families, and biological parents alike and treats all involved with incredible empathy and compassion. I loved how Gloria’s sense of identity and definition of family evolved so poignantly over the course of the novel. The symbolism of fixing broken pottery with gold to show that there is beauty in the broken places was also a perfect parallel to Gloria’s journey and a helpful reminder to young and old(er) readers alike.

Raw, honest, and hopeful, Where the Light Shines In is a must-read for adoptees, the families that love them, fans of heartfelt middle-grade contemporaries, and anyone who’s ever teared up listening to “What It Sounds Like” from KPop Demon Hunters."

Dani Terk @dterkwrites.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

As a recovering perfectionist, I tend not to dive in until I feel capable, but I'm realizing the learning journey is a destination in and of itself. So today I "just started." A few hours later, I have a decent raspberry trellis (supporting wires later) & a boost of confidence. Just start.

Me wearing my NEVERTHELESS SHE PERSISTED sweatshirt, a black vest, safety goggles, and a pleased smile.

A raised bed with three raspberry plants and a wooden trellis om either side.

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Dani Terk @dterkwrites.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

It was a special moment! :)

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Dani Terk @dterkwrites.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

My 6yo is OBSESSED with axolotls! I saw your post about MAX, A LITTLE AXOLOTL and reserved it from the library. It was the first longer-than-PB that my daughter read all herself. We both loved it! Very grateful for authors like you who can help instill a love of reading in young readers! 💙

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Dani Terk @dterkwrites.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

Gasp! Reserving this at my library now for my axolotl-loving kiddo!

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Dani Terk @dterkwrites.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

It's soooo good. Which is good bc my 6yo is obsessed which means it's on about once a day 😂

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Vicky Weber - Agent, Author, Educator 📚 @vickyweberbooks.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

Writers, what’s your favorite line you’ve ever written? Not your book’s strongest line—the one that makes you secretly proud every time you see it. #writingcommunity #amwriting #amquerying

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Dani Terk @dterkwrites.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

This, bc it helped me find words for what I'd been feeling for ages: It was easier to hope things would change at the beginning of the season, but the flame of hope feels dangerous now. Letting it ignite again would give it the power to burn me all the way to the ground, not just singe my fingers.

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Dani Terk @dterkwrites.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

Your posts always read optimistic, or tinged with hope, even when they're heart-wrenching. I appreciate the energy you put into the world (but mental health is paramount).

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Dani Terk @dterkwrites.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

When an agent posted they're opening "soon" months ago and you finally see a watch notice for them on Query Tracker 😀... But it's only someone sharing insight from the agent's wish list in the comments. 🫠

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Dani Terk @dterkwrites.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

I'm so sorry, Vicky. Our country is failing you and so many others. Hoping you get some good suggestions and we can stop this madness soon.

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Dani Terk @dterkwrites.bsky.social · 21/08/2025

Hopefully this is general advice ala Eric Smith's "work on your synopsis" and not based on experience and hindsight. 🤞🏻

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Dani Terk @dterkwrites.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

It's funny you say that because this is the first year I've noticed a summer slowdown from the querying writer side of things. But I wonder if that perception is also impacted by it being a down year for MG. Fingers crossed we see a pickup there soon! :)

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Dani Terk @dterkwrites.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

You're the best. Very grateful for you!

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Dani Terk @dterkwrites.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

CVS can't confirm if they have it unless I walk into the store. 🙃 And the pediatrician doesn't do it. This is my villain origin story. Gonna keep trying!

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Dani Terk @dterkwrites.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

Walgreens. Can call some others and try. Also trying to see if there's anything in the kids' charts that could justify a RX.

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Dani Terk @dterkwrites.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

So I tried to get my kids and I boosted before the meetings next week. They said they had pediatric doses online, but none in pharm/urgent care. None anywhere close to me. And when I tried to get one for me, they said I wasn't eligible because I had one last September. Welcome to the Hunger Games.

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Dani Terk @dterkwrites.bsky.social · 18/08/2025

Thanks! That's what I was hoping but I didn't want to assume.

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Dani Terk @dterkwrites.bsky.social · 18/08/2025

I've noticed that some programs (Word vs Docs vs Scrivener) paste different into QM and email. Are you ever concerned by weird spacing/formatting in submissions?

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Dani Terk @dterkwrites.bsky.social · 16/08/2025

Love this story so much. And this pitch is 🔥. Love the Wednesday/Enid vibes.

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Dani Terk @dterkwrites.bsky.social · 10/08/2025

The "funny" thing is, the Orange one could take this and run on it, right? Like he could actually own quite a bit of this massive win since it was his administration that set this in motion. But instead he'll just slash funding and inhibit our access to mRNA vaccines bc tantrums. 🙃

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Dani Terk @dterkwrites.bsky.social · 09/08/2025

Anyone else feeling like a pirate lately?

Black words on white background. Light-related lines are left-justified and dark-related lines are right-justified and bolded. "I’m a pirate. Well… becoming one. (It’s a work in progress) Pirates were the masters of navigating Two worlds at once. The light and the dark. The deck of ship is about as B R I G H T as can be. The radiant sunshine cascades from above and reflects back off of the shiny waves. But below deck, the light is shuttered. The belly of a ship is the dead of night compared to the decks above. But the pirates had a trick, you see. Cover one eye with a patch, and that eye is always in the dark Even when the blazing sun dazzles the other. When the hatch above closes, and the darkness of the hold rushes in, A pirate need only switch the patch to the other eye. The previously patched wastes no time adjusting to the world below, Ever ready to slip into shadow."

Black words on white background. Light-related lines are left-justified and dark-related lines are right-justified and bolded.

" Like a pirate, I’m living in two drastically different worlds. There’s the light— the joy and laughter that share gap-toothed smiles, Perfectly mispronounced words, And the best hugs at bedtime, And the dark— Pings and pop-ups that announce hate, prejudice, and greed Each more shocking than the last. Ignoring the dark endangers the light But living too long in the dark and I forget How bright the light shines above. So I must become a pirate. To see clearly in the darkness below without lingering too long So that my sun-drenched eye is still familiar With the light that gives me life. " Light-related lines are left-justified and dark-related lines are right-justified and bolded. "

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Dani Terk @dterkwrites.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

"supposed" gotcha. Thank you!!

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Dani Terk @dterkwrites.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

Okay, your post said there's a chance we could get the updated shots but they might not be covered by insurance? I'd that a "go and see" kinda thing? 👀 Is there an expected release date for the new ones? Sorry to bug. Trying to make a plan.

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Dani Terk @dterkwrites.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

You're a national treasure. Thank you!

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Dani Terk @dterkwrites.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

Any insights on the botched F-job that is our current seasonal vax situation? If we want to boost our covid protections what are our best options? (I hate it here)

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Dani Terk @dterkwrites.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

I didn't get the confirmation either, Laura, and I see similar posts on QM.

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Dani Terk @dterkwrites.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

Always appreciate the updates and the peeks behind the curtain! Don't know how you manage so many submissions!

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Dani Terk @dterkwrites.bsky.social · 09/07/2025

They have felt a little too sticky on some things so I expect to hear the same, which is exactly why I asked. Thanks :)

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Dani Terk @dterkwrites.bsky.social · 09/07/2025

*face palm * just had bloodwork. Could've asked them to check titers .

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Dani Terk @dterkwrites.bsky.social · 09/07/2025

My son just turned 3. I'm worried about our future vaccine access. Any resources that might support getting it early? Or wait and see and hope 93% efficacy is enough? (Gonna ask pediatrician for medical advice but curious about your research knowledge)

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Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez @aoc.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

I don’t think anyone is prepared for what they just did w/ ICE. This is not a simple budget increase. It is an explosion - making ICE bigger than the FBI, US Bureau of Prisons, DEA,& others combined. It is setting up to make what’s happening now look like child’s play. And people are disappearing.

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Chris Murphy @chrismurphyct.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

Republican Congressman Van Orden. You need to understand these people know exactly how badly they are hurting people and they love it. It’s sick.

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Dani Terk @dterkwrites.bsky.social · 28/06/2025

MAGAS. ARE. SCARED. OF. EVERYTHING. But even my 6yo knows being afraid of something/someone doesn't give you the right to hurt them.

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Alt National Park Service @altnps.bsky.social · 28/06/2025

Consider donating to Friends of the Everglades and the Center for Biological Diversity. They’ve filed a federal lawsuit in U.S. District Court to try and stop “Alligator Alcatraz” before it opens.

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Alt National Park Service @altnps.bsky.social · 28/06/2025

Please share this. Friends of the Everglades are organizing a protest to stop Alligator Alcatraz. Join us we have coalition members traveling overnight to be there by morning. Where: Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport, 54575 Tamiami Trail When: Saturday, June 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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Dani Terk @dterkwrites.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

*gate-kept but honest hate-kept works too.

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Dani Terk @dterkwrites.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

Oh definitely. My concern is more for the teaching side or the students tbat desperately need to find them have hate-kept access. But yes. We persist.

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Dani Terk @dterkwrites.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

I'm so discouraged. Most books these days have a wide range of diverse characters, including supporting cast. Will they be disallowed too? Will we not be able to teach about Sally Ride in case someone finds out she was gay? What other histories will they want to opt out of? FFS

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Dani Terk @dterkwrites.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

Honestly, the small wins make such a difference. Back to calling tomorrow. Thank you.

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Dani Terk @dterkwrites.bsky.social · 22/06/2025

Called my reps all this week and all they could do was reassure me there hasn't been a declaration of war. No shit. Did they think he wasn't going to do it?

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Dani Terk @dterkwrites.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

I'm so glad I'm not the only one who uses "goober." I always get such odd looks when I say it around others. (Congrats on the cool news!)

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Dani Terk @dterkwrites.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

Please. Having an infantile, narcisstic president and Fox News personality leading the charge is horrifying.

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Dani Terk @dterkwrites.bsky.social · 15/06/2025

I'm surprised the estimates for yesterday's protests vary so drastically. Any insight on why that is or how accurate the numbers are? I'd love to believe 12+ million but I'm also hearing 5M and that's a huge difference.

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