Rebecca Renner

I worked in a coffee shop today on my new nonfiction book proposal, rocking my “well-read” hat from . Considering I read several hundred pages while I was there, I think the hat was prophetic.

Happy belated congratulations to my journalism hero, Gilbert King, on the launch of his latest book, Bone Valley. I had the privilege of being there at his book launch earlier this month, and I got to meet the man who the book was about, Leo Schofield.

About The Book:
From Pulitzer Prize-winning author Gilbert King comes a chilling exploration of one of America’s most haunting wrongful conviction cases. Based on the hit podcast, Bone Valley dives into the dark heart of rural Florida, where a young man’s life was upended by a tragic miscarriage of justice.

This is Hazel. She thinks your timeline needs another cat pic. 😜

Thank you to these readers I found reviewing “Gator Country” on . You made my day!

Last Monday was the seventh anniversary of when I quit my day job to become a writer. I walked out with hardly any money, no savings, no health insurance, no backup plan, no partner or family to support me.

It was an arguably stupid decision, but I would make it again in a heartbeat. No regrets—here’s to chasing big dreams ❤️‍🔥

Signing copies of my book at my favorite local bookstore never gets old. Thanks for having me, 🐊

I’m a little late, but in honor of International Cat Day, here’s to Jojo and Hazel for keeping me company as I continue chipping away at my work in progress. I should probably include them in the acknowledgments when it’s all said and done! Writing can be an isolating process, but I’m never truly alone thanks to them.

A behind the scenes glimpse of the photography session for my article on which will be featured in the September 2025 print edition of National Geographic. Nothing beats a sunset in the Everglades!