after hitting “publish”

There’s a sense of completion… The book is out in the world, there’s nothing more I can do, it’s for the readers now.

There’s a sense of dread… Will they like it? Will they even read it? Have I done enough…?

There’s a sense of excitement… I DID IT!

There’s a sense of gratefulness… for all the people (and the Person) who have brought me this far.

There’s a sense of exhaustion… What are words anyway? Oh, now I have to market this? Bah humbug. I need a lie-down or an accidental blog hiatus. (Oops. 😉 )

There’s a sense of the future… What’s next? I’m free to tell another story, oh but first I must catch up on my responsibilities… But look at this shiny new idea!

I’ve been feeling all of these emotions since publishing If the Stars Awaken, and I’m sure I will with the next book and the next. It’s just a thing. 😉

release. day. ahhhhhh.

Happy release day to my book baby!

I’m still in shock it’s here. 🖤

Thank you for all your support and excitement for If the Stars Awaken. I appreciate you all!

Now to collapse and savor this moment. 😉

Meet Claire – The Get to Know My Character Tag (Again) (Because)

I’m doing this tag again just for fun, and because it’s imperative you get to meet Addie’s younger sister Claire.

(Again, thanks to Anna from Anna’s Idea Blog for creating this tag.)

What’s your full name?

Hi, I’m Claire. That’s all you need to know. *waggles eyebrows mysteriously*

How old are you?

I’m 12, which is more fantastic to be than 11, in case you were wondering.

Where do you live? (You can be as specific as you want)

I live in the upstairs bedroom on the right side of the hall on the right side of the room at my grandfather’s house with my older sister and cool aunt in the tiny town of Mush. You said to be specific. 🤪

What has been your greatest achievement in life?

Oh, boy. I reached level 500 on one of my video games, but just because I was sick a lot and needed something to do.

Do you have friends? Enemies?

I’m friends with Addie, my aunt, my grandfather, and the KITTENS. Also, Skyler is really cute but he’s more Addie’s friend. My enemies are mostly my chronic pain episodes, and a tiny bit anyone who is rude about my illness.

What’s your hobby/hobbies?

Video games, also sometimes reading, and sometimes gardening. I’ve just discovered I like it.

How would you describe your personality?

Typical annoying little sister? *laughs evilly* No, but I’m really cheerful and enthusiastic because I want to enjoy every moment I’m well to the fullest.

Describe your family. Siblings, parents, pets, etc.

I have Aunt Mae, she’s pretty cool. Addie and I are working on getting an uncle, but so far no luck. I have Addie, who is kinda the best older sister. And I have a grandfather straight from a book. And KITTENS.

Oh, and of course I had parents, but they passed when I was really little.

Walnuts and Brownies, yay or nay? (I feel like this is an important question)

DOUGHNUTS

Favorite book to read, or if you don’t like to read, something else you like to do?

Books with tips about my farming videogame. 😉

BONUS! If you had a choice, what would you tell your author? Would you wanthim/her to change your story? Explain.

Find an uncle for us, please and thank you. I need the cuteness in my life. 👏

And that’s Claire. 😉 If you haven’t met Addie, her older sister and the main character of Addie’s Mountain, yet, read her character interview here.

Addie’s Mountain is now available in the A Very Bookish Easter anthology!

A Very Bookish Easter Is Here! (+Thank Yous)

IT’S HEREEEEEEE!!!! Our anthology is finally born, and ebook copies are going out with paperbacks soon to follow. 😍😍😍

I hope you enjoy diving into this anthology this Easter season. 💖

I’m so overwhelmed with joy to be a part of this (and to be back as an author!), that I’m honestly out of words and emotions except happy dances and hugs. 🤷‍♀️

I think I’ll let my acknowledgments from the novella speak for me.

The author wishes to thank…

My Joshua—for your support, encouragement, and adorable face while I was trying to concentrate at the coffee shop that one time.

The Very Awesome Mikayla—for letting me send you chapters for motivation and for giving me the cupcake mascot.

Lillian Keith—for your encouraging comments on my blog throughout the whole process.

My A Very Bookish sisters, Sarah, Kelsey, and Abigayle—for having me as part of this anthology. It means so much to be in your company. 

My fabulous beta-reading team, Perry, Rosy, Kaitlyn, Havelah, and Rebekah—for your enthusiasm, thoughtful questions, and grammar skills. It’s been a delight to have you on my team. 

Kelsey—for the always amazing editing and encouragement.

Birkenfeld, Oregon—for being such a beautiful, dynamic place to grow up. Your people and your flowers fill the world with color.

God—for resurrecting me.

May hope invade your heart! 💖

The Get to Know My Character Tag: Addie

I found and snagged this tag from Bree at Laughs and Literature, and I’m very excited to share more about one of my characters with you. 😉

Also, so much thanks to Anna from Anna’s Idea Blog for creating this tag. 😉

Today I’ll be interviewing my character Addie from my upcoming novella Addie’s Mountain. 😉 There are some very minor spoilers, but I hope you enjoy getting to know her. ❤

What’s your full name?

Hi, I’m Addie! It’s short for Adelheid, like in the book Heidi. My middle and last names are not revealed in my book, but I’m sure they are very cool.

How old are you?

I’m about fifteen, though some days I feel younger than that and others I feel older. It’s a funny age like that.

Where do you live? (You can be as specific as you want)

I grew up around central Oregon, and we just moved far north to the tiny town of Mush to live with Grandfather Ari. I’m not sure how long we’ll stay, but I hope it’s forever. ❤

What has been your greatest achievement in life?

This is going to sound really funny, but it’s actually how hard I’m working to handle my anxiety. Secondarily, it’d have to be how many books I read in a year… 😉

Do you have friends? Enemies?

Lol, I love this question. My sister Claire and I are best friends, I’d count Aunt Mae and Grandfather Ari as friends too, and I’m starting to make friends with the neighbor boy, Skylar. No enemies, unless you count Ryan from kindergarten. (He spilled my crackers and laughed.)

What’s your hobby/hobbies?

My hobby is reading, early and often and happily ever after. I might add baking to my official hobbies soon, if Grandfather has anything to say about it. 😉

How would you describe your personality? Describe your family. Siblings, parents, pets, etc.

I’m a shy extrovert living with my Aunt and younger sister Claire. Aunt Mae took us in when we were very little, and she’s been taking care of us since. We all moved in with Grandfather and his two dogs, Penny and Luke. I have anxiety from some past trauma.

Walnuts and Brownies, yay or nay? (I feel like this is an important question)

Brownies = yes (if they’re Grandfather’s maple ones!), Walnuts = no. I’m partial to pecans and cashews. Walnuts feel too much like eating a tree.

Favorite book to read, or if you don’t like to read, something else you like to do?

I’m currently reading Heidi (and yes, I’m aware of the parallels to my life), and when I finish, I’ll probably read an old mystery or something…

BONUS! If you had a choice, what would you tell your author? Would you want him/her to change your story? Explain.

Oh, hmmm. Maybe less trauma, please? And more books for me to read. I saw that scrapped storyline where I got to renovate a library…

There you go! That’s Addie. 😉 If you have a question for her or for me, drop it in the comments, and we’ll answer you soon. 😉

A Very Bookish Easter releases on March 1st and is available for pre-order now.

Kiera Release Day!!!

IT’S HERE!

KIERA IS HERE, Y’ALL!

🎉🎉💙😭😭🤩😍✨

I think my unofficially official author picture sums up how I’m feeling perfectly.

One eye smiling and the other just a little bit crazy. 😉😉

This book has taken a lot. A lot of time, stamina, criticism, and creativity. But it’s also given me so much, and one of my favorites is you all. 💙

Thank you for all your enthusiasm and support!

Just Kiera chilling with some other real books. 💙

---

Buy on Amazon // Order hardcover

Bloggers we’re celebrating with today…

Kristina Hall

Autumn

Saraina Whitney

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

My Proof Copy Came!

Something absolutely wonderful happened in my author world this week.

My proof copy arrived!!!! 😍😍😍😭😭

Package 😍

Y’ALL, I had been tracking it all day and just as I thought it was probably too late to come, the delivery driver knocked on the door, scared the hair off my dog, and my package was officially here.

I got to open it with Mikayla on video call and Joshua filming. 💙

Song credit: A Millions Dreams by Anthem Lights

It is absolutely and entirely perfect. I’ll share some more pictures when I have daylight (and there’s a giveaway 🤫), but I am so grateful for how perfectly and beautifully it printed. (Thank you everyone who has prayed. 💙)

I still look at it like “that’s not real” “what is this thing” “how do I have a book and a HARDCOVER one??”

Can you believe it?! 😭🤩

It’s been such a gift, and let me tell you–there has been so much grace. 💙

(Kiera releases 5.11.2022. Pre-order your copy now!)

5 Ways You Can Help Celebrate Kiera!

Release day for the second edition of Kiera is less than one month away! (#runsaroundscreaming #inexcitementandterror #whosideawasthisanyway #ahhh) I cannot wait to share the gorgeous new hardcovers with you, and I think you’re going to love the bonus content. 😍🙌

If you’re bursting with excitement and would like to help celebrate, here are five ways you can…

1. Pre-order your copy in ebook or hardcover. Hardcover bundles include some pretty sweet bonus goodies, fyi. 😉

2. Join the release week celebration team! Whether you’re an Instagrammer, blogger, or reviewer, I’ve got something you can help out with. 🤩🤩 (Join here.)

3. Mark the book as TBR on Goodreads. This helps spread the word, and Goodreads will also send you a release reminder email, which is kind of fun. 😉

4. Tell a friend! If you know someone who might enjoy Kiera, tell them a little bit about why you liked it or are looking forward to it.

5. Pray that everything with the release would go well and on schedule. 💙💙

Thank you all for your support and excitement! I can’t wait to share this with you. 💙

Something Old, New, and Very Blue (Kiera Cover Reveal!)

3/16. Today’s date. I chose it for the cover reveal before I really looked at the number written out, but when I did, I was kinda delighted.

3/16 happens to be the address for one of the most famous Bible passages on love, and since that’s really what my book is all about, I thought it was a pretty fun nod from God. 😉

I seriously have been sooooo chomping at the bit to get to share this cover with you all. My designer (Perry Kirkpatrick who also designed the first edition) did an amazing job, and I really think she captured the spirit of the book perfectly. 🙌🙌

(It’s also going to look SO GOOD in hardcover. 😍)

*rubs hands together* *tries not to look crazy* *fails*

Ready, set?

EEEeeeeeeek! The birds, the fonts, the whispy bangs, the TEXTURE, that little hint of dystopian grunge… 😁😁🤩 I’m. In. LOVE.

Just for fun, here are two quote graphics I made to celebrate.

(New) Synopsis:

Kiera’s life is pretty simple—garden, hang out with her best friend, babysit little Jade, and finish up homeschool highschool. But a global war and mandatory draft turn her eighteenth birthday into a nightmare.

Brennan, Jade’s adoptive dad, offers his last name and exemption status, leaving Kiera to question everything she’s ever thought about love. Even worse, she might actually be starting to have feelings for him.

Life settles into a routine before shattering again, and Kiera is left with only one question… If God truly loves her, why is this happening?

Limited edition hardcover includes exclusive bonus content.

Releasing in hardcover and ebook on 5/11/2022!

Hardcovers bundles are available for pre-order here.

So there you go! That’s all the deets. 😁 Thanks for sharing this moment with me. 💙

I (Sort Of) Published!

Y’ALL. 😳😳😳

I’ve been very accidentally working on a new project.

Remember my short story “Enjoy the Poodle Skirt”? And how much fun we had with free copies when it was first released?

Well, good news for my newer readers (and longtime ones too), it’s now permanently free with an updated cover and interior files. 🤩🤩

Behold the cuteness…

While I’ve always adored the original cover by Victoria Lynn, late night insomnia decided it was time for a fresh one, and I started experimenting with my newfound confidence from designing for Sincerely, Jem.

This idea was born, and I couldn’t love it more.

It didn’t stop at the cover bug, though. 😬😬😂 I’d always thought this story was too short for a paperback edition, but with the trim size (and template!) of my medieval stories, I had to see if it could work.

And work it did! 😍 There was a learning curve for sure, and Perry was an amazing Jedi master. 👏👏 I’m especially excited about the cute details like quirky fluerons and the most darling back cover. (Committee Canva projects can get pretty hilarious. 😂)

I could not believe how little and cute it was when I got my copy. 🥺😍

I’m so excited to give an old story a fresh new face, and I hope you enjoy. ❤️

FREE on Amazon // Read reviews on Goodreads