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Fall Frenzy a.k.a. The October Newsletter

October 2, 2023

Ooo-la-la October! September was jam-packed with all sorts of fun–book clubs, garden clubs, and a trip to Chicago for the Women’s Fiction Writers Association 10th Anniversary Conference. I’ve sprinkled some pics throughout.

But by the time you read this I’ll be in Provence, France, trying to conquer jet lag. I plan on doing that by eating every croissant in sight. I know this is not a typical cure, but I’m creative. This trip was supposed to happen in 2020, but do you remember what was going on then? Yep, the pandemic. (Is there anyone reading this who wasn’t able to answer that? No. No there wasn’t.)

So, why was it supposed to happen then? Because I turned 60 and my mom turned 80 and we wanted to celebrate in a big way. Back in 2000, we took a 40-60-80 trip. My grandmother turned 80, Mom 60, and me 40. The three of us went to San Francisco and had a most memorable time. My grandmother has gone on to better things, but Mom and I couldn’t resist another trip. I’ll let you know how it goes. Follow me on Instagram and Facebook for some pics!

Read on to see all the September action and find out some fabulous book recommendations.

WFWA 10th Anniversary

The WFWA conference was inspirational, motivating, insightful, and so much fun. I met hundreds of writers–350 attended, but I didn’t get to meet everyone! And learned about craft–classes on humor, scenes, revision, and more. We got to hear from author Nancy Johnson (The Kindest Lie), Camille Pagan (author of Good for You and eight other books), Carly Watters (agent and co-host of the podcast The Shit No One Tells You About Writing), Amy Poeppel (author of The Sweet Spot and three other books), Marilyn Simon Rothstein (author of Husbands and Other Sharp Objects and three other books), Nicole Meier (book coach and author), Denny Bryce (author of The Other Princess and two other books), Leah DeCasare (author and TEDx speaker) and…well, too many to name. It was nonstop writer catnip.

The term “women’s fiction” is debated these days. We heard from a panel of agents and authors who talked about what this genre is, how it can be considered sexist, and what its future might be. Words are powerful, hopefully leading readers to places of understanding and insight. So, is Women’s Fiction a helpful label or should there be a new way of explaining this umbrella term?

Let me just say one more thing about the conference, and I’ll hush. The women who attended were so welcoming, supportive, and smart. What a treat to get to be with such a diverse and interesting group.

Book Clubs, Book Signings and More

I met with--and Zoomed with--several book clubs and had a book signing and talk with fellow writer Bruce Leonard, author of the Quilt City Murders series. The women in the group above are part of the El Arbor Garden Club. I'll speak to anybody who asks! It's fun to get to interact with readers and hear how the book affected them.

What I’ve Been Reading

I’ve enjoyed some wonderful books lately. Here’s a sample…

  • The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger (pub date 9-5-23) Nobody writes historical fiction like this amazing author. This newest addition to his prominent book shelf is a mystery and a look at life in America in the ’50s. Themes of racism, classism, home, and healing from trauma weave a golden story of survival and learning to love again.
  • Louise and Vincent by Diane Byington (pub date 8-15-23) Byington takes the facts and imagines a tender love story, explores a woman’s options in that day, brings to life a girl made famous in a painting , and “paints” an artist known for mental illness with gentle strokes. See my full review here.
  • The Golden Gate by Amy Chua (pub date 9-19-23) First things first—I haven’t listened to an audio book in a very long time. I almost exclusively read on my Kindle. So, I have to admit to getting off to a rocky start with this book. My mind doesn’t seem to compute “reading” when it’s listening. But I’m happy (and a little proud) to say that I overcame my deficiencies and ended on a high note. This was a twisty, secret-laden, who-dunnit ride through Berkeley, Ca., in 1944. Read my full review here.
  • The Burnout by Sophie Kinsella (pub date 10-10-23) Filled with a colorful cast of quirky characters, The Burnout brims with personality. Each person is absolutely endearing, and the story unfolds in Kinsella’s easy-to-read, often humorous style.  Read my full review here.
  • October in the Earth by Olivia Hawker (pub date 10-10-23) I’ve never read a book about female hobos until now. Themes of female friendship, poverty, and starting over no matter the risks combine with rich prose to paint a portrait of a bleak time in our nation’s history. Read my full review here.

So, October, What do You Have for Me?

October promises just as much action as September delivered! After I return from Provence, I’ll be attending the Kentucky Book Festival in Lexington. If it’s not on your calendar, mark it down–Oct. 21. You ought to grab a couple of friends and plan on a fun weekend there!

What does your October look like? Are you cooking all the pumpkin bread and pots of soup you want? Are you going on long walks under changing trees? Are you reading anything fabulous? Please let me know the answers to these questions! I’m dying to know!

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