Two weeks from today, on September 6th, my debut novel, SECRETS OF THE BLUE MOON, comes out in paperback and eBook. The day after it launches, I’m doing a signing at the Local Author Fair at Switzer Library in Marietta, Georgia.

And the week after that, I'm speaking and signing at an event at the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega.  

Whew! I’m excited to share this book with readers. Not to mention, I’m beyond grateful to family and friends and to the reading/writing communities that have supported me along the way.

Yet I’m nervous, too, because… How can I put this? You know that feeling of “What if I held a party and nobody came?” Yeah, that. Especially after how I keep putting myself out there, repeatedly, to hawk my brand and product. That’s rather embarrassing for me, but it’s part of being an author, aka a small businessperson. I remind myself it’s a matter of business. And marketing.

In that vein, I'll also be updating my website on more ways people can buy the eBook and paperback. In addition to Amazon, the paperback should soon be available to order on my website through the vendor of your choice (like your favorite local indie bookstore or, my grandkids’ favorite, Barnes & Noble). How cool is that?

Thanks for indulging me in all the rah-rah. I promise that, as things slow down and the Halloween marketing season ends, I’ll share a newsletter of all the bloopers I’ve made along the way to bringing this book into the world. Let me say this: it’s good that I’ve learned to laugh at myself through the years because…well, it’s been a TON of laughs!

Cheers ~ Jan 

When Florence’s father passes away suddenly, she returns to the small town she left years ago—the town where her quirky, complex family ran a funeral home, where she felt bullied, and where she first discovered she could see ghosts. Hoping at least to see her father’s ghost, she’s disappointed when she doesn’t. And she’s flabbergasted when she does see the ghost of Ben, her new editor. But is he there to prod her to finish her book? Or so she can help him cross over?

This one had just the right amount of levity in its approach to subjects like grief, death, and love. I picked it up more for the ghost story than for the romance. I enjoyed both—maybe because the book’s love story transcended that of a couple and focused more widely on family, forgiveness, and on letting others in closer to lend a hand and share their love. 

You can order the book here:

This Month's Surprise: Women Supporting Women

For years, male authors dominated the publishing world when it came to size of advances, the ability to get impactful reviews, and placement on the bestselling lists. Women have come a long way in publishing—yay! But as we’ve seen in recent years, we should never take the strides we make for granted. I, for one, don’t want to go back! That’s why I proudly support other women in publishing, be they writers, coaches, editors, or all the above. This month, I support and salute two sister writers: 

Alida Winternheimer is an award-winning author of Midwestern gothic tales. Her most recent book, A STONE'S THROW, released in June. Alida blogs through her newsletter, A Room Full of Books and Pencils, available on Substack. She also co-hosts the Story Worth Round Table podcast and works as a developmental editor and writing coach. Her next class opens September 11th.

Kathryn Dodson is an author, book coach, and world traveler. She writes about intriguing women in captivating places who become their own heroes. In a little over a year, she’s produced five books (most recently EL DIABLO), co-hosted quite a few episodes of the 5 Minute Indie Insights podcast, all while continuing to work with other writers through her “Next Step Book Coach” services.