Independence Day
No more dog fur in my house
Why do I still cry?
It's been a full week since we lost our beautiful German Shepherd, Ranger, and I'm still programmed to prepare his breakfast before I fix my own. I wrote my latest piece--"Don't Forget the Dog"--yesterday, and want to thank you all for your kind and generous outpouring of love and understanding.
The idea of independence strikes me in a very different way this year. With Mike's new job and our move to a lovely, quiet property in Salida (still ongoing, just an hour down the hill from Leadville, thus my failure to send a mid-June letter), new challenges await me, and new inspiration thrills me.
We did not anticipate Ranger's release--that he would free us from our promise to love and care for him as his previous owners did not. But I will forever believe the timing of his departure was a gift to us, a sorrowful gift, to be sure, but a gift of freedom to fill new pages with promising adventures without worry over his ability to participate fully.
Independence often aligns with hardship--the rewards may not be immediately obvious--but I wish you all a fresh start to whatever lies ahead of you on this Independence Day.
HUGS!
Upcoming (and maybe some past) Events!
- May 31st-June 2nd: Denver Pop Culture Con was crazy fun! My buddy Diane (author D.R. Kiss) held down our table and sold books galore while I was moderating panels with SOOOO many renowned authors/film producers! And can you believe it? I discovered that I am the legitimate heir to the Iron Throne!
- July 13, 8-4, Arapahoe Community College in Littleton: "Write. Market. Publish. SELL!" Writers Conference 2019 in Littleton. Check out all the details HERE, and register soon for earlybird pricing!
***Support your Local Public Libraries!***
WHO LOVES TO READ AND SHARE OPINIONS ABOUT BOOKS?
Awesome Indies Book Awards is still looking for assessors! This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone looking to bolster their literary credentials. For more info, go to Awesome Indies or email admin@awesomeindies.net. Good luck!
AUTOGRAPHED BOOK MAKE GREAT GIFTS!
(contact me if you'd like a personalized autograph of any of my books)
AUTHOR/BLOGGER/PODCASTER NEWS!
(let me know if you have literary news you'd like to share)
- My Waterwight trilogy is ripe for summer readers! If you read and enjoy this fantastical adventure, please share with others who might like to join Celeste's quests (and a brief comment in an Amazon review would be SOOOOO appreciated!)
- Debut author Marge Hickman has finally made another dream come true! She has co-authored a book with Steve Siguaw about the legendary Leadville Trail 100 Mile Running Race! Get your copy of Leadville Trail 100: History of the Leadville Trail 100 Running Race now!
- Donna Baier Stein was recently interviewed on NPR's Museum Confidential in an episode called "Every Picture Tells a Story" (May 10) about her short story collection Scenes from the Hearland. Listen to her informative interview HERE!
- Tim Hall has a new book out! Flying Upside Down: Life Lessons for the Faint of Heart is a story about how the author "overcame this dysfunctional mindset by turning the fear upside down and becoming a pilot." Tim served with the Marines in Vietnam in the 1960s; his novel Marines Never Cry presents an honest account of his experiences during that troubled time.
- Minette Lauren's Race for the Sun is a fascinating mystery romance combined with a story about the afterlife...a most unusual read from a spectacularly energetic author! Visit with us on YouTube or podcast HERE!
- Kaye Lynne Booth answered many questions about her Western-themed books and her evolution as an author in a recent interview. Learn what she has to share with other writers HERE!
- Carol Bellhouse continues to create unique short films combined with poetry. Subscribe to her YouTube channel for updates!
- Chaffee County Writers Exchange (CCWE) membership is only $10/year, and the benefits are truly worthwhile! Check out their site and consider joining.
- Also consider joining Colorado Independent Publishers Association (CIPA), a wonderful organization with resources to help writers and authors at every stage of their professional development.
So many talented creators, so little . . . you know.
BOOKS I'VE READ and WHAT I'M READING NOW
in addition to what I might already have mentioned above.
- Reading now: Miriam Green's The Lost Kitchen: Reflections and Recipes from an Alzheimer's Caregiver. I'm already deeply engrossed in this fascinating memoir and will interview Miriam as soon as my recording studio is operational in our new home.
- Have read: J.D. Vance's Hillbilly Elegy. My husband suggested I read it to better understand the environment in which he grew up. It's well written and thought provoking, and explains a few more things about my mate! ;)
- Have read: Julie Powell's Julie and Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously. Funny, irreverent, and I was hungry the whole time I was reading it! SO much butter. The author's angst was palpable throughout. What a challenge she gave herself! My kind of woman.
(I think) IT HAS FINALLY STOPPED SNOWING IN LEADVILLE!
Have you checked out my weekly podcast Alligator Preserves lately? There are unique short stories (fiction I create and narrate every month) and interviews and insights galore!
If you've ever considered becoming a "Patron of the Arts," I'd humbly ask you to consider becoming a patron of my Alligator Preserves podcast. It's easy and painless to become my patron on Patreon for as little as $1/month, and I will love you forever.
:)
Looking for hot Writing Tips? Check HERE
Please send me some of your own and I'll credit you in my list!
The podcast link above is brought to you by ME, and I'm a one-woman operation! Please share it with anyone you think might enjoy what I offer each month, and become my patron. Find out how--and what rewards you will earn for being my patron--HERE!
Please let me know if you're participating in any awesome writing contests and if you have any personal writing/publishing news you'd like to share!
Until next month...
Be kind to yourself.
Laurel
(here's a link to all of my books, available in paperback and Kindle!)
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