Hi All!

Happy October. I have wholeheartedly welcomed fall. I love the colors, the pumpkins, scarecrows, mums & pumpkin spice everything!  I’m also looking forward to a little more relaxation this month. September was a busy month for me–all around. 

School started, for one, and it always takes me a couple of weeks to acclimate to the fast pace and tight schedule. I’m teaching one section of jr. AP: Language and Composition in addition to four senior classes (3 sections of British Literature and 1 section of Writers’ Workshop). Teaching Writers’ Workshop has been a little different than years past in that my students are eager to hear about my publishing journey. I am so blessed that my day job and my passion for writing can collide in this way. This past week, I had my writers working with my favorite craft books and sharing their learning with one another. Soon, they’ll be preparing for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), a writing challenge to write as many words towards the beginnings of a novel as possible. I will be writing alongside them, working on getting that first draft of novel three completed. This November project always seems to give me the jumpstart I need.

In All That is Sacred news, September brought me a cover reveal, which many of you saw! I am so pleased with how the visual image captures the essence of my novel and grateful for the art team at Red Adept for their amazing work. Right now, I’m waiting on a draft of a book trailer for which I submitted a script and some visual suggestions. I’m also waiting for a release date (right now, I know it’s sometime early 2023, which, I didn’t realize, will be dictated by the company that creates my audio book. At every turn, I’m learning something new. 

The most exciting bookish experience this month was seeing my book on the Red Adept website, complete with cover and ISBN number. Coming upon that page was a surreal moment for me. I keep having these pinch-me moments. 

I have to admit, I was a little nervous going into my first live author event. Our local bookstore, ReRead Books & More hosted their 1st Annual Writers’ Festival. My nerves quickly dissipated by how welcoming everyone was (even though I didn’t have any books to sign). I handed out descriptions of each of my forthcoming books and some bookmarks. I met so many nice and interesting people and made some connections with other local authors. I’m so grateful to Hope and her team for putting on a fun, well-attended event, and look forward to returning when my book is released.

One final announcement!

I am happy to share that I’ve joined the Bookish Road Trip, an online book club (primarily FB-based) as a tour guide. This organization weaves everything I love about being a writer together: the support of a community of readers and authors and wanderlust (you know I love anything and everything to do with travel). They host monthly online book clubs, author interviews, chats, give-aways… If you are a reader and/or an author, you should check them out. I would love to see you there.

Speaking of traveling, this month I’m looking forward to a trip to Florida with my family. And who knows what other experiences in my publishing life will arise, but I’ll be ready. 

Until next time…