Whew! What a busy few weeks I’ve had! With the holiday season upon us, I’ve been touring the craft show and book fair circuit with my fellow writer friends. I’ve met tons of nice people and sold quite a few books. It’s all been very exciting, and I’ve finally developed my “elevator pitch” after telling people over and over about my book. It’s been wonderful practice and loads of fun.

We had our first Open Mic Night with the Women Writers of Catawba County last weekend, and it was amazing! There’s nothing quite as exhilarating and terrifying as standing on a stage with a microphone in your hand reading your book to a room full of people, especially after you literally drop the mic! After the initial thump and squeal of feedback, I absolutely loved it, and I can’t wait for us to do this event again!

My author friends and I also spent a couple of days visiting bookstores and talking about our books with the owners. I’m proud to say that my book now sits on the shelves of four different shops! Two stores are here in Hickory and two are in nearby Blowing Rock, and I’m honored that the owners and managers are willing to take a chance on my debut middle grade novel, The Secrets of Shadywoods.

After so many weeks of marketing my book, I’m ready to be creative again and delve into my new novel. I’ve decided to take a hiatus before writing my next Maggie & Darlene adventure, and instead, I’m focusing on a new idea. As a matter of fact, I’m now six chapters into this new idea, and I’m absolutely enthralled with the world that is coming out of my imagination and forming on paper (or laptop screen). It’s full of magic and art, and of course adventure, with a main character named Fenn. I’m also trying my hand at writing in first person, so that’s new for me, but it’s making it easier to have a different voice for Fenn, since she’s a bit older and much different from Maggie.

So, time to take a break from the juggle of marketing, book signings, open mic performances and craft shows. I plan to enjoy the next couple of weeks of holidays and sneak some writing time in between family visits and festive activities.

Here’s hoping you get to do the same- enjoy your holiday season and sneak some time in there just for you. Happy holidays!