Livin' the Dream
“If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; there is where they should be. Now put foundations under them.” –Henry David Thoreau
I’ve wanted to be a published author for almost as long as I can remember. I have memories of elementary school me writing letters to Santa asking for Barbies, Breyer horses, and a book deal.
I got every Barbie and Breyer horse I ever asked for.
But that book deal eluded me.
Until now.
I’ve spent three decades building the staircase up to my castle in the sky, and I’m almost to the top. While I’ll be sure to spend time luxuriating in the accomplishment of seeing my first book published, I won’t be resting on my laurels. Part of living this dream is promoting the book I’ve worked so hard to see published. Check out the schedule of appearances listed at the end of this newsletter to find out when and where you can get yourself a personalized, signed copy of the book!
And now that I’ve (just about) gotten my debut novel out into the world, I guess it’s almost time to start writing (Santa about) book No. 2…
What I’m Working On
My Debut Novel: An Expected End
Preorders opened September 30 on both Amazon and Barnes & Noble. If you want a copy before the October 16 pub date, I encourage you to order yours today. If you’re hoping for the ebook, that will be out sometime in April.
Recently, I was able to get my Amazon Author Page rolling, and I’d love for you to follow me on Amazon for book updates on An Expected End and future works.
I’ve been making progress getting the book onto the shelves of two local libraries and am still working on inventory requests for some small, independent bookstores. I also recently applied to be one of 50 authors interviewed on Atmosphere Press’s Author Series. Apparently, upwards of 80,000 authors apply. My chances aren’t good, but I’ll take them.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that today is Marshall Milton, my male protagonist’s, deathday. He writes about this fact in his Annual Deathday Diary Entry on October 10, 2044. An excerpt appears below.
…until ten years ago, October 10 blended in with all the other dates on the calendar. It had no particular significance tied to it. It does now. It has for the last ten years, and it will for the rest of my life, which consists of 17,898 more days, plus a few bonuses for leap years.
Today I thought about expiration dates and retirement, worked, and ate deathday cake. And exactly forty-nine years from now, I will be dead. Or dying. It is 7:12 PM, so depending on what time I die, forty-nine years from now, I could have as many as four hours and forty-eight minutes left. Or I could have died nineteen hours and twelve minutes ago.
Outdoor Writing
Unfortunately, neither of my essays was accepted for inclusion in the Blood, Sweat, and Tears anthology. While that news was disappointing, it came the same weekend preorders for An Expected End opened, so I wasn’t as disheartened as I might otherwise have been. I was pretty focused on my accomplishment.
Writing Community
While writing is indeed a solitary activity, so many different people are involved in bringing a book into the world, in one way or another. Over the course of the next few months, I’m making space in my newsletter to honor some of the writers who helped bring An Expected End into the world, in hopes of helping you discover them and their work. After all, word of mouth is the best way to drive book sales, and books make great Christmas gifts.
Matt Cricchio
An Expected End would not exist if not for Matt Cricchio, who led the year-long novel writing class that provided the structure and accountability I needed to draft the manuscript. His guidance, encouragement, and faith in my story played a huge role in my ability to sustain momentum and maintain motivation.
Instagram: @mattcricchio
Matt’s Book: Security Day
Website: https://www.notmfa.com/
Conferences and Workshops
This past weekend was the James River Writers Annual Conference, one of my favorite writing events of the year. On Friday, I attended a virtual Master Class called Freelance Writing 101, followed by an in-person Master Class called Nature Writing, held at a nearby park where The Littles and I often paddleboard in the summer. One of my big takeaways from the latter: We are a part of nature, not apart from it. It was an extremely enjoyable and thought-provoking class, and I’m looking forward to seeing what I create from the ideas inspired during the session.
Saturday I very much enjoyed Lisa Cooper Ellison’s session, Writer Self-Sabotage. I left feeling enlightened, empowered, and reinvigorated to return to Goodbye For Now once the excitement and busy-ness of debuting An Expected End calms down a bit. (For now, I really just want to enjoy that. :)
Sunday I enjoyed a follow-up session on nature writing and a panel discussion called Demystifying the Debut (time for me), moderated by Melissa Scott Sinclair. Both sessions were extremely valuable. Nature Writing was inspirational and motivational, while Demystifying the Debut was informative. One thing I learned? Contrary to popular belief, neither good reviews nor awards (though I want both) sell more books. What does? Word of mouth. So, if you read An Expected End and enjoy it, please please please tell your readerly friends. If you read it and don’t enjoy it, just don’t tell anyone. :)
Links to My Latest
Early next year, an essay I wrote about Jack, Sadie, Nacho, and Soda, along with a photograph of The Littles, will appear in Jackie McCool’s first coffee table book, Beer Dogs, currently available for preorder (for just $35!).
What I’m Reading
I’ve almost finished Lesley St. James’s The Sweet Scent of Death, the first book in the Jilly Cooksey Mysteries series. It’s a super fun read—pithy, witty, and relatable (except for the whole murder bit).
The Littles
Below: The way The Littles looked at me when I got home from the writing conference Saturday. This look says, “You left us. On a SATURDAY. Now what are you going to do to make it up to us?” (We went hiking at Pocahontas.)
What I Saw Outside
On a recent Saturday morning, I enjoyed a hike at John R. Radcliffe Conservation Area with some family members, friends, and colleagues. Below is a mini photo journal of the experience.
Scheduled Appearances and Important Dates
October
October 16, 2023 | An Expected End Release Date
An Expected End will be available just about everywhere books are sold on October 16, but if you’re eager to reserve your copy, I invite you to preorder today! Preorder options are available from Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Place your order today, and tell your friends!
October 21, 2023 | 2pm-4pm | Brew Craft Bar & Kitchen | An Expected End Launch Party
Come join me at 6525 Centralia Road for a celebration of the release of my debut novel!
November
November 4, 2023 | 11am-2pm | Book Signing at Books, Beads, & More
Stop by Books, Beads, & More at 8106 Mechanicsville Turnpike to get yourself a personalized, signed copy of An Expected End. While you’re there, peruse their excellent selection of books, jewelry, and gifts and get an early start on your holiday shopping!
Literary Calendar
November 11, 2023 | 10am-4pm | ARGS Writer’s Fest
Join the students and faculty of Appomattox Regional Governor’s School for the 19th Annual Writer’s Fest! Festivities include a $1 used book sale, a bake sale, and classes and workshops led by professional writers.
Glad to have a copy of your book already—before they sell out!