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Book Reading and Signing, September 30, 2016, New Dominion Bookshop. Photo by Mark Rough.
Scattering Ashes, has been launched!! I had a great crowd on Friday night and the question and answer period could have gone on forever, but having done a few poetry reading in the past, I know it’s good to stop and leave the audience wanting more. From the calls and notes I’m receiving from those who were there, my reading and book talk were very much enjoyed.
Writing my book and getting it published has been a humbling and educational process. But I need to take some time to let it settle before I can truly say what it means to me. I loved the whole experience for sure, but I want to think about what the easiest part was, the hardest part, and how it will affect me in the future.
So far I’ve noticed that my sense of self-esteem has hit the top of the charts. I did it. I really did it. Who’d a thunk this highly sensitive, shy, introvert would actually share the details of her life with others in a book and enjoy doing so? How do I separate myself as an individual who wrote a book from the book itself? Am I the book or am I still Joan, who happens to have written a memoir? Why does it matter?
There are so many questions rolling around in my noggin and I haven’t had time to get to the end of the list just yet. Needless to say, I will be writing about all of this in coming blogs.
In the meantime check out my newsletter which was published yesterday morning. I’m giving away two signed copies, of Scattering Ashes, to those who send a comment and reply to my newsletter. I’ll be choosing the winners at random. If you haven’t yet subscribed to my newsletter now is a good time to do so. You can sign up at the top of this page on the right.
Here’s to life’s journeys and the learning! My love and best to you all!
Joan, huge congratulations! I wish I could have been at your reading! You look fabulous up there in front of your audience, by the way.
It is a heady experience, launching your first book. Enjoy it to its fullest!
Thank you Saloma! It is a heady experience and also exhausting, but I’m enjoying it all!
Joan: C-O-N-G-R-A-T-U-L-A-T-I-O-N-S! I’m so excited for you I can’t see straight!
Thanks, Laurie. Just wait. If you think you can’s see straight now, you’ll be completely blinded when your own book comes out. It’s a trip and a half!! Now I need a vacation!!
Congratulations, Joan! This is so wonderful, and I am very happy for you!
Thank you so much, Merril!
Congratulations!
Thank you so much, Mary Gordon!
Joan, Kevin and I wish were could have been at your event on the 30th. We would like to order a copy of your book. Please tell us the best way to do that. It sounds like such a rich story.
Congratulations!
Bridget and Kevin Mitchell
Bridget, thanks so much. You can pick up a copy at the New Dominion Bookshop on the Downtown Mall or order it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble. It was a fun evening and it went beautifully.
I remember that feeling when I published my first memoir Joan. It felt so revealing to expose my personal life, which later turned to a feeling of reward when I knew how much my story resonated with others. Congrats again, and I feel privileged to have already won a signed copy of the book from you. 🙂
Debby, I’m finding it rewarding already. The number of people who my story resonates with is amazing. And many of them have not talked about their experience taking care of an aging parent with anyone and have felt so alone. That they don’t feel alone now, helps me my story was very much worth writing. And very appropriate for our times.
Congratulations Joan. All richly deserved. It is a wonderful book! You look beautiful!
Thanks so much, Sue! We’re sending love to you and Robin!
Hi Joan, I was reading Shirley Showalter’s blog, and she made mention of you, and your book. I just purchased in for my kindle. I look forward to reading it. I will let you know what I think. Congratulations on your book.
June
June,
Thank you for your congratulations, for stopping by and purchasing my book. I’d love to hear what you think about it. And more thanks to Shirley for her sharing and continual support!