Recap

On the last weekend in April, I celebrated the release of my first book, Watering Words: 52 Short Stories, with a book signing and reading at my favorite independent bookstore, A Seat at the Table Books. I’ve been dreaming of this moment for most of my life and…it was better than I could have hoped for. Let me give you a brief rundown of how it went.

On the 40-minute drive to the bookstore, my family gave me a series of much-needed pep talks and distracted me with every stupid joke they know. My favorite from my daughter: Did you hear about the crime that took place in the parking garage? It was wrong on so many levels!

We got to the store a bit later than I wanted, so we had to hit the ground running. With the help of my friends and family, we got everything setup pretty quickly. A few people trickled in at first, but within twenty-minutes, the place filled up! The store had to make an announcement about not blocking the aisles, and many people had to stand. I honestly couldn’t believe it!

Our first speaker was Larisa Bryski, the director of my favorite non-profit G.I.R.L.S. Rock Sacramento. She told the audience about our connection and the wonderful work her non-profit does to help young girls find their voice. A portion of my book sales and the speciality drink sales go to support their mission and I’m so grateful she could join us. Thank you!!

Next, my childhood best friend Angy Cring told stories about us as middle schoolers, including a story of us sneaking out in the middle of the night to meet boys, and how we changed our names to reinvent ourselves before high school. She traveled from Las Vegas to assist me all weekend, handling backend promotion and even filming the event. I’m so fortunate to have her in my life! Thank you!!

Fantasy author and close friend Jason Denzel, author of the Mystic books, then introduced me. He talked about our writing group, playing D&D together, and watching me grow in confidence through our time together. Jason inspires me daily and helped make the entire event run more smoothly. I’m so lucky! Thank you!!

Finally, it was my turn to speak. I was incredibly nervous and forgot I was going to thank a bunch of people to start off, but once I got talking about the book, I calmed down. After reading the short story Striders, I took questions. This is where I truly surprised myself. The audience asked such thoughtful and amazing questions, and I found it easy to talk about my writing. Far easier than I thought! By the time I read my second story, Coffee and Cloves, I really felt good. I thanked people and then setup for the book signing.

You guys! The line went ALL THE WAY around the store. It took me over an hour to sign all the books. So many hugs and pictures and joy! I’ll honestly never, ever forget the feeling of this first author event. My heart is still so full more than a week later.

To date, I’ve sold over 100 books! Thank you to everyone who has supported me. If you want to help support me further, buy a book for a friend, or consider leaving me a review on Goodreads or wherever you do such things. Also, if you’ve read the book, I want to hear from you! Tell me what you liked. Do you have a favorite story? Tell me!

Hope you enjoy these pictures from the event:

My table at the author market on Saturday (the day before the big event).

Me and my childhood friend Angy about to start the event.

Larisa Bryski of my favorite non-profit G.I.R.L.S. Rock Sacramento.

Fantasy writer and good friend Jason Denzel introducing me.

A portion of the book sales, as well as this special drink, went to support G.I.R.L.S. Rock Sacramento.

My amazing writing group! I’m so lucky to have these people in my life.

My dear friend and writing partner Anna Loscotoff. She made me the beautiful scarf I was wearing.

My nephew Wyatt brought his little gnome to the signing and his scarf matched mine!

My daughter, her bestie (my second-daughter) and my husband busy at work. My son was behind the camera and took video.

When I’m with my brother, I apparently make silly faces.

I sure love my beautiful writing friends. Thank you!

Real talk: I try to be honest and vulnerable with my readers, so I’ve got to mention two things.

First, even though I’ve sold over 100 books, I’ve still not broke even. Self-publishing is expensive and I couldn’t do this at all without the support of my husband. I’ll never be able to support myself financially with my writing, but it’s still worth it. Creating and putting my words out into the world is something I’ll forever be proud of, regardless of any monetary success. As a friend reminded me earlier this week, years from now, some distant relative might read my book to get a peek at their ancestral lineage. That’s pretty amazing to think about. So, future great-grandchild, this is for you.

Second, and this one I say with a bit of hesitation, it was hard to see myself in these photos. I’ve put on a lot of weight since a hip injury a few years ago, and it is hard looking at the reality of it. My hair has started to thin, something I inherited from my mom, and I noticed it. Big time. I’m so freaking proud of myself for putting this book out into the world, for being brave to share it at the bookstore, and for everything I did…but man…it’s hard to face our changing bodies sometimes. But you know what? I’m glad I’m where I am right now. I’m in the best place mentally I’ve been in my life and I’m surrounded by inspiring and talented friends, so I’m going to embrace myself—flaws and all.

Let me leave you with this: Love yourself right where you are, friends, and write the words, paint the painting, do the thing! Don’t wait. It’s never the right time. I’m here to cheer you on! Tell me about it! We are in this together.

Yesterday I went to Old Sacramento with my mom to do a little photography. She’s headed back to Washington in a few days and this was our last outing until I visit her in the Spring. Instead of taking photos for the next challenge, I took photos of whatever I liked.

There were more cracked windows and boarded-up businesses than I remembered seeing the last time I visited. More homeless people and garbage too. For most of my life, this part of Sacramento has felt sacred to me. It’s a bit of history you can walk around and touch. It’s sad to see it declining.

It feels like a microcosm for so much in the world. Things aren’t the way they used to be (oh, that makes me sound old). “Back in my day…” But it’s true. It’s hard to remain optimistic with mass shootings and climate change disasters. It’s hard to think about where this is all heading. It’s hard to live in the uncertainty.

Meanwhile, my personal life is easier right now. My daughter’s mental health is stable and she’s enjoying homeschool. My son has graduated high school and is taking some time to rest and recover from the last few years. I’ve got some great friends who love me and a fantastic and supportive writing group.

Despite all this good, I feel trepidatious. After living in a state of constant anxiety for years my body doesn’t trust “easy”. I’ve had some panic attacks and some nightmares. The writing goals I set for the year aren’t looking possible and I walk the line between optimism and grief quite regularly.

As a result, I suppose, my blog has become filled with photography and poetry. I’ve been using these creative forms as a way of exploring joy and finding balance. I still pull out my works-in-progress and play with them from time to time. I still want to self-publish my short story collection. I still have plenty of goals, but maybe it’s not a bad thing to slow down.

I don’t know what the future brings for my family, my blog, and the world, but I do know it’s better when we all reach out and support each other. I’m so grateful to everyone who stops by to leave me a like or a comment. My friendships here fill me with so much hope. So, in case I haven’t said it lately, I’m glad you are here.

Thank you.