The last few weeks been full of fun times with the book community! I enjoy getting out and meeting people who love to read, and I’ve been blessed with several opportunities this month to do so. From classroom visits to bookstore events and everything in between… April has been a wonderful whirlwind of bookish events!

There’s nothing quite like celebrating the opening of a new bookshop! I was honored to be a part of the festivities at Libreria Bookstore in Newton, NC. Some dear author friends and I spent a Saturday afternoon in this amazing shop, signing books and greeting all the excited readers. The owners, David and Crystal Fiorentino, are fun to hang out with and they have created a beautiful community space. If you’re ever in Newton, I highly recommend checking them out!

“Libreria is one-of-a-kind community third space bookstore in the heart of the social district in downtown Newton, North Carolina. We carry new and used books along with items from local artists, musicians, crafters, and other local businesses.”

-Libreria Bookstore

Classroom visits are always a blast, so I was thrilled when I got the invitation to do a presentation at Greenville Technical Charter High School in Greenville, SC. The students had read VARLANDRIA and were prepared with questions and lots of discussion about the novel and my writing process. We also talked about building a writing community and the steps to self-publishing. I met so many aspiring writers and creative students. It was terrific!

The 2nd Annual Hickory Literary Festival was held last weekend, and I joined my talented friends from the Women Writers of Catawba County at a table. My writing sisters create so many amazing things- novels, memoirs, pottery, book totes, bookmarks, and even a murder mystery game! We met a ton of book-lovers at this event and had great conversations. We also got to sign and sell lots of books which is always exciting!

Books and products featured at our table included:

• Murder at the Couples Retreat: A Cozy Murder Mystery for 8-9 Players by MeighlaCreations
• Good Morning, I Love You by V. Rose
• Kindly Twisted Art Pottery by Lady Rose Productions
• The God’s Wife Trilogy by JW Kingsley
• VARLANDRIA and The Secrets of Shadywoods by Jill Hovis

On our way home after a day of hiking in our beautiful NC mountains, my husband and I happened upon someone I’ve been wanting to meet, Dr. J. Keith Brown, the owner of A Novel Twist Mobile Bookshop. This cool little bookshop on wheels travels all over the Catawba Valley, setting up at events, gatherings, and coffee shops, and offers a fantastic curated selection of novels and bookish gifts. I’ve been seeing this unique shop online and several of my friends have mentioned it, so when I saw it in the wild, I had to stop and take a peek. Keith and I talked books for a bit, and I picked up a signed copy of his novel, Autumn in Orchard.

I was really excited when he asked to take a look at my books (because of course I keep a few copies in my car). I was even more excited when he said that my novels will be the first he’ll be offering in his shop for middle grade readers! He asked me to do a live video with him on his store’s Facebook page, and even though I was super-nervous, I joined him in talking about my books and his shop.

And finally, the lastest bookish happening occurred yesterday at Central Wilkes Middle School, where my friend, Deanna, is the media coordinator. The Book Room, an adorable bookshop in Wilkesboro, has partnered with her school for a book fair. She tagged me in a Facebook post (featured below) to let me know that she was selling my books. Her support meant the world to me, and I’m so happy that young readers at her school had a chance to pick up a copy of The Secrets of Shadywoods. I also noticed in the background that Liberty Biscuit and Little Pearl, middle grade novels by an author friend of mine, Melanie Sue Bowles, were at the book fair as well. School librarians and indie bookshops are the best!

Being a part of the book community is such a wonderful feeling. Readers, booksellers, teachers, librarians, and writers- we all work together to support one another. I’m so thankful for our community!