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.
January felt long, didn’t it?
I hope you’re staying safe and healthy and that this new year is better than the last. I’ve been staying home and writing, working on making our landscaping more drought resistant, and attempting DIY home renovation projects with varying degrees of success.
I turned in a new draft of On Home to my editor in early January and am waiting for feedback. I am really hoping there are only minor notes on this one. I’m still hoping for a summer release!
The Book of Great and Tiny Things won the Breaking the Bechdel syndicate’s January pick so I got a nifty badge on the book page and some more orders. Please check it out and give it a follow if you haven’t already! There is also an option to “nominate” it, which tells Inkshares you think it should be published, no pre-order necessary.
I’ve been reading a ton this year and am on my ninth book already. Most of them have been by Appalachian women, which has been inspiring in many ways. I’ll be reviewing some for Southern Literary Review, including Call It Horses by Jesse Van Eerden, which is beautiful. What are you reading? How else are you keeping busy and staying relatively sane? I am sending love to all of you, and, as always, gratitude.
Becca