Book news & other things
So much for my aspirations of writing weekly in a blog. How do people manage this? It's challenging to discern what readers actually want to hear from me (I'm not even certain if anyone is reading this). So, I suppose I'll approach it more as a diary than anything else.
A couple of weeks ago, a publisher contacted me expressing interest in my book. It wasn't entirely unexpected. I had reached a point in my life where I pondered, "What am I going to do with myself?" and found myself directionless. Prior to and somewhat during COVID-19, I had been querying agents about the book, with a few requesting the full manuscript, but nothing materialized. Life intervened, as it does, and I took a step back.
As some of you may be aware, I was a foster parent for about a year and a half, and my life wasn't my own during that time. I had dedicated myself entirely to caring for two young children. They have since returned to their parents, leaving me once again uncertain about my path in life.
So, as a last resort, I decided to submit my manuscript directly to a publisher instead of through an agent. The publisher had been recommended to me by an editor who had reviewed my manuscript before submission.
I thought to myself, "If this doesn't work—if they don't want it—then it's back to the drawing board, and I'll have to figure out my future in another way." So, I sent it off and received a response. Here's a snippet from John, the publisher, after he read my manuscript:
"Let me extend a warm welcome back. Welcome back from the edge, from the dungeons. I'm proud of you for getting clean and for writing this book. The most exciting aspect, I believe, is how you can use the book to reach and help young women going through similar experiences."
After several discussions, a Zoom call, and negotiations, my story has found a home with Koehler Books/Koehler Studios, and I couldn't be happier.
Naturally, I had to celebrate. Last weekend, my sister and I headed to Ann Arbor to take senior photos of my nephew. We took them at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens on N Dixboro Road in Ann Arbor. It is a very calming place - and super warm in there despite the cold weather. I may want to go back when it's nice outside to see the outdoor part.
We ended up spending the night with my youngest daughter at her place while she's in grad school at U of M.
We went out to dinner at Mani Osteria (pretty decent food - I guess they have great pizza) and the bar (a place in a downstairs part of a building called LoFi) and let me tell you—I can't hang like I used to. I also lost my "Michigan Mom" sweatshirt there. :(
Anyway, I'm working on a new website, so stay tuned for that. And there's more news to come from the book front as we progress toward the publication date of December 10, 2024.
Until next time!
-H
