Nov 17, 2020

Welp, I haven’t updated you in seven months. Sorry about that. In my defense, the last seven months.
I’m still working hard on this every single day. The difference now is that I’m working closely with the Inkshares CEO, Adam Gomolin, to make sure each chapter is as good as it can be. We’ve tossed around the idea of a summer release, but we’ll see. The world is still pretty wild! Just talking about a release is pretty exciting though!

I know some of you have mentioned a concern that all the changes have made this different from my original story and I hear you! I was talking to my husband about how much the book has changed and improved. The structure is much more readable and intentional, the historical aspects are more immersive, the characters are more interesting. So much has changed. In fact, I think you’ll be pretty surprised when you meet this newest iteration of the main character. But it’s still the same story. I told Jared I didn’t know how to explain what still made it the same story and he said something wise. He suggested this book is the same story as the original in the same way every Fitzgerald book is the same story, every Kerouac book is the same story. He nailed it. This is still the same story I always tell-- a story about women and what home (specifically West Virginia) means, about the specifics of time and place and how they affect who women can be. In a way, it’s the same story I’m telling with my nonfiction WVU book too (which is coming along nicely, by the way!). It’s a good story. And I know this can be a good book. Thank you a million times for sticking with me while I learn how to get it right.

Inkshares is running a manuscript contest and I’ve entered my second novel. No need for pre-orders this time. I wouldn’t do that to you, haha. But if you could check it out and follow it, I’d be so grateful. Again, it’s a story about women and West Virginia, but this one has magic and opioids.

I’m thinking of all of you and hoping you’re well. Stay safe and stay healthy. Love and thanks. So much love and thanks.