Where Did Summer Go?
Where Did Summer Go? Mine Went to Nashville!
I’m stunned to see the word September on my calendar. Did July and August speed by for you too?
My summer began with the excitement of being welcomed into the Black Rose Writing family, followed by a deep dive into prepping my manuscript for publication next July 2027. But it wasn’t all work. In fact, shortly after my novel was accepted and contract signed, I learned that the Black Rose AuthorFestwas taking place on July 30-31 in Nashville! Since my best friend had moved to Nashville and begged me to visit several times, well, there was no hesitation. I was Nashville bound.
Nashville
My time spent with Margaret and her precious dog, Woody, nurtured my soul. There’s nothing like a deep friendship born from years of sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly and either celebrating or finding much-needed comfort. Despite the miles, I’m grateful we’ve stayed close. As for Woody, I fell madly in love the minute he took the ball I had brought him and wouldn’t let it out of his sight—or his mouth. He plopped it on my lap repeatedly throughout the week, showing his profound appreciation.
As for Nashville itself, what a fabulous city! Nashville won my heart. I loved all the massive old trees and the immense lawns with homes set well back. Of course, downtown was rocking at all hours. At one point, I walked along Broadway at noon and the bars were full with live bands playing.
Parnassus Bookstore
As a voracious reader, no trip to Nashville would be complete without a stop at Ann Patchett’s bookstore, Parnassus. While Ann wasn’t there, all of her books—signed—were. We left with Parnassus tote bags, a sweatshirt, bookmarks, notebooks, and of course, books.
Black Rose AuthorFest
The AuthorFest took place at Noelle Hotel in downtown Nashville. It was a two-day event from 8-5, included breakfast and lunch, and was jampacked with helpful presentations by authors for authors.
I’ve been to many writers’ conferences, but the Black Rose AuthorFest was tailored to the needs of their writers. How do we get our books in front of potential readers? How do we reach our readers? What writers have been successful and why? To answer these types of questions, the presentations were focused on: How to Build a Newsletter, Bookstore Events that Sell, How to be a Video Star, Narrate Your Own Audiobook, Dos & Don’ts for Author TV, Radio, & Podcast, and BRW Success Stories.
Over the two days, I met some wonderful writers, both male and female and of a range of ages. Prizes were given to the youngest author, 42, and the oldest, 83. And I won a prize for being the newest Black Rose Writer, having signed in June. I left the AuthorFest energized and inspired as I begin the process of putting out my third novel. I’m so grateful to be a member of the Black Rose Writing Family.
Editing, Editing Again
The rest of the summer, I’ve been immersed in the sometimes tedious, ever-important work of editing my manuscript. Cutting unnecessary filler words that I never noticed, such as, that and just. Smoothing out scenes and dialogue. Cutting some darlings that just had to go. There I go again, using the word just!
I finally finished and sent it off. Now I work on other aspects, like cover design ideas and reaching out for endorsement blurbs.
I was thrilled beyond words to get a yes and a beautiful blurb from one of my favorite writers, Molly Gloss, author of Jump Off Creek and The Hearts of Horses. She even thanked me for writing a book to educate people about the plight of wild mustangs.
Reading, Reading, and Recommendations
And of course, I did a lot of reading this summer. I highly recommend:
Whistler by Ann Patchett
The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout
The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff
The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett,
The Horse Dancer by Jojo Moyes,
The Music of Bees and its sequel, Bumblebee Season by Eileen Garvin
The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife, by Anna Johnston
The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo—almost finished
Meet Roșie!
I’d like to close with an introduction to Rosie. Black Rose Writing Developmental Editor Mary Ellen Bramwell gave everyone at the AuthorFest a little Black Rose Mascot, Rosie.
I placed her atop the books that inspired me.
A Lantern in Her Hand by Bess Streeter Aldrich, a novel I read at twelve that shook me to my core. As the protagonist aged from eight to eighty, I confronted my own mortality. Powerful effect on me.
Little Women by Louise May Alcott. Given to me by my Aunt Clara when I was eleven. While I loved Jo, apparently my favorite character was actually Beth since I wrote this inside the book! Sorry, spoiler alert.
And finally, two writers who were trail blazers:
Ethelinde 1789 by Charlotte Smith, early female novelist who made a living and supported her large family as a writer.
Evelina 1778 by Fanny Burney, early female novelist, influenced Jane Austen
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