I hope you had a wonderful holiday and that your new year is off to a great start. I don’t know about you, but last year flew by. My head is still spinning from it. Or it could be from the champagne I consumed on New Year’s Eve after the UGA Bulldogs thankfully pulled out a victory. Though I’m not a Dawg fan since I prefer Wildcats, for my husband and son’s sake, since he’s a sophomore at Georgia, I cheer for them. My house is much happier when they win.
Last year was quite the year. As you know, I signed a book deal with Red Adept Publishing (while under quarantine after being exposed to COVID), created multiple social media accounts, started a website, and began blogging for the first time. And that was just the first week in 2022! I won’t give you a complete rundown of all twelve months, but it was a roller coaster full of twists and turns. On a personal note, I also had three children graduate—two from high school and one from college. I was one proud mother.
Throughout the year, so many of you have asked me about my book and when it’s coming out (thank you for that). I’m happy to tell you WHERE THE GRASS GROWS BLUE, will be debuting THIS YEAR! It will be available in paperback, as an e-book, and as an audiobook. Currently, my cover is being worked on. I can’t wait to share it with you.
I cannot express how much your support and patience mean to me. Before I started the querying process, I had no idea how long it takes to get your manuscript ready for the marketplace. Traditional publishing moves at a glacier pace, so thank you for sticking with me.
Not only have I been getting my novel ready while writing my second, ASHES TO ASHES, but I’ve been busy learning about my new position as a Tour Guide for Bookish Road Trip. I was both honored and scared to death by the responsibility of it when I was asked to take on a leadership position.
If you are not familiar with them, this is their mission:
"We are an upbeat and growing community of travelers and book lovers who enjoy taking road trips virtually, in person, and through our imaginations in pursuit of our next great read. We meet and interact with fellow travelers, authors, and bibliophiles in our Facebook and Instagram groups."
Bookish Road Trip has over 4,000 members and is growing by the day. If you are looking for a book-loving community, become a member. It’s a click away and free.
On Thursday, January 11, at 1 p.m. EST / 12 p.m. CST, I will host my first-ever Facebook Live event for Bookish Road Trip. I will be interviewing Karen E. Osborne about her book Reckonings. Karen is an award-winning, Amazon Kindle best-selling author of three women’s fiction and suspense novels. Her fourth book will be released in September 2023.
Before becoming an author, she had a forty-year career, first as an academic administrator and then as a co-owner of The Osborne Group, traveling the world as a consultant, trainer, and motivational speaker. She has also served as an adjunct faculty member at Johns Hopkins University’s graduate certificate program in nonprofit management. Now she spends her time volunteering, serving, and writing. She's been featured in Essence Magazine, Poets & Writers, a BestThriller.com finalist in 2021, and a Maxy Awards finalist in 2022. She’s a member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association and the Women’s National Book Association.
Her third novel, Reckonings, was released in the summer of 2022 and is our featured book for January’s Author Take the Wheel. Reckonings is a fast-paced family drama that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Karen E. Osborne takes you on the emotional journey of Roxy Quinton. From the start, you'll root for this strong, yet complicated woman as she juggles her busy life as a wife and mother with her own ambitions of becoming a successful playwright. This is a story full of dark secrets, complex relationships, and the power of hope.
This event can be found on Bookish Road Trip’s Facebook page. Drop by on Thursday and ask Karen a question. I’d love for you to join us.
Until next time…
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