How people react around authors

I’ve been thinking a lot about how people treat authors. The good and the bad (the latter, because I’m chronically online and hear the horror stories). I’ve been VERY lucky and grateful so far to mostly experience the good.

Now that THE GREAT TREE OF IRIS is out and reaching readers, and I’m actively marketing, attending events, and publishing a second (totally different world/story—keep reading for another sneak peek!), it’s inevitable that the topic comes up:

Oh hi, yeah, I write books

So, what’s lovely (and funny sometimes) is how much people are in absolute awe. Especially kids and teens. I take the responsibility very seriously. For example, at my recent Barnes and Noble signing, one of my friend’s kids (only 4 years old) wanted me to sign one of his own books—that was NOT my book—simply because I’m an author. 😂 Yes, I did it! (The book was bought). I will tell that story forever.

But like also… I’m just a girl! Yes, I accomplished something huge, but writing a book is actually something a LOT of people have done and really, truly, you really, probably could do it, too. I really do appreciate all the support and excitement, but sometimes it’s also a little surprising. Like I’m on a pedestal or something.

I also think about the couple of times I’ve met authors that I admire and how I didn’t know what to say.

So I kind of get it. But it’s definitely an experience, being on the other side of the signing table. That being said, if you come to one of my upcoming book events (please come!), I don’t bite and I LOVE chatting with readers (it doesn’t matter if you’re buying the book or not). I might be hungry or bordering on hangry. I may really have to go to the bathroom soon. I’m just like you!

• Pirate Princess (2027, title to be announced here soon) sneak peek incoming! I’m editing nearly every day to hopefully send to my second round of beta readers in April. For reference, Cecelia is the princess, and Ross is the female pirate captain:

Cecelia took out the cloth sack of cherries. She didn’t have a fork and knife, as she preferred. Far beyond caring and ravenous beyond belief, she began eating around one, sticking her teeth out to avoid the pit. Ross was watching her again.

“What is it now?” Cecelia asked, once she’d swallowed.

“That’s not how you eat cherries.” Ross held out a hand, and Cecelia, rolling her eyes, dropped one in her palm. The pirate placed the fruit right on her tongue and made quick work of it. Then, she pulled off the stem, threw it over the railing, and spit the pit straight into the sand beyond. “See?” Ross said. “Easy. Efficient. None of this tooth business. You chew around the pit. Put the whole thing in your mouth.”

Cecelia, heat creeping up her neck, fought another brief internal battle, in which she didn’t want to give Ross the satisfaction. But also, it looked quite fun. She popped a cherry into her mouth (Ross grinned wider), and she avoided the pit. Sweetness burst on her tongue. So much more was edible this way.

“Go on,” Ross urged.

Cecelia pulled out the stem, clutching it in her palm as the pit soared from her mouth into the sand.

Ross clapped. “See? I’ll make a pirate of you yet.”

😈<me, the author

• I put THE GREAT TREE OF IRIS paperbacks back on my website for sale—signed with swag. This will be on and off as I’m able, but I wanted to make sure signed copies were more accessible outside of events (and Sorcery and Scripts in Bethlehem, PA has signed copies available right now).

• Some of my next events are so unique and fun. I hope you can make it, if you’re local! I’ve just added a couple more to my summer calendar, too! I’m excited to meet everyone.

Watching: Husband and I just rewatched Shakespeare in Love for the first time in years. We really have to be in the mood to watch a movie (and we almost never watch a whole one in one night anymore—who else?). There’s so much to enjoy… romance, poetry, lol moments, iconic actors, and a bit with a dog.

The longing!!

Listening: To the sounds of adorable Pokémon as I lose myself to Pokopia (the new video game). I’ve been playing Pokémon games since I was a kid, so this is a real treat. All of them are so cute and want to be your friend—even Charizard. What more could you want?

Also, a shoutout to the podcast, Once We Were Spacemen. If you’re a Firefly fan, don’t miss it.

Crafting: I finished a cat quilt for good friends who are getting married! I just cleaned up my craft room, too, which feels like a huge achievement. My very small goal this month is to adjust some necklines on t-shirts. We’ll see if I get there.

Reading: I am definitely in a reading rut, but I’m okay with it now. It’s funny because I AM actually reading every day (Pirate Princess) and then editing the crap out of it. All my energy is there. With the good(ish) weather, I know I’ll want to read on my porch soon. Last week we had write-on-the-porch weather for a couple days, and god, has that balmy breeze ever felt better after a long winter?

Amber says, see you in April! It might be time by then for a big announcement here??? (Title reveal and release date for Pirate Princess)?? Who’s to say? (It might be May, lol, we’ll see, I haven’t totally decided)

Purchase THE GREAT TREE OF IRIS, an epic romantic fantasy, here (signed copies with swag, US only) and here (eBook and paperback wherever books are sold)! Oh, and request it at your local library. I’ll be honored.

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