ONE WEEK TILL PUB DAY!!!!!!
A few days ago I was in a Zoom conversation with Carter Wilson, a fabulous author and the brains behind the “Making It Up” podcast. (One of the fun things about “Making It Up” is that at the end of each taping he asks the interviewee to choose a page at random from one of three books, and then reads a sentence as a prompt, and together he and his guest make up a story based on the prompt. Our exchange centered on an aggressive squirrel and a cat named Snicker Bar. Apparently I am, so far, the only author to take it to the realm of animals.)
Anyway, before we got to squirrels and cats, we talked about writing. When he asked me “How’s it feel to be about to see your book in bookstores?” and added, “I’ve published a lot of books, but the feeling of being a debut author, of seeing your book in print for the first time, is just such a thrill”
That’s when it hit me.
I have been overwhelmingly busy with teaching and an upcoming exhibition in addition to the book, but his remark made me realize I need to step back for a moment, take a deep breath and feel it. Thanks Carter, for the reminder. And YES, it feels wonderful, a bit surreal, and fabulous. It also fills me with huge affection for my fellow authors (and artists) out there, working in difficult and capricious fields: keep the faith and make/write/create with joy!
I’ll keep this short, as I hope to see many of you at the launch events! (And if you can’t make them next week, another reading has been added in May in Chicago at the Printer’s Row Wine Bar).
I’ll have a more in-depth post later, but in the meantime, Happy Spring!
See You Soon!!!!
These programs are partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
BOOK EVENTS AND READINGS
Tuesday April 4, 6 pm
An Evening With Three Authors: Jess Lourey, Rebecca Keller and Cara Black
Once Upon A Crime
604 West 26th Street, Mpls, MN
https://onceuponacrimebooks.indielite.org/event/cara-black-night-flight-paris-rebecca-keller-you-should-have-known-jess-lourey
Thursday April 6, 7 pm
Authors on Tap: Rebecca Keller and Tracy Clark
Exile In Bookville BE SURE TO RSVP!!!!
10 S. Michigan Ave, 2nd floor of the historic Fine Arts Building
https://exileinbookville.com/events/20230406
Sunday April 23, 2pm
Prairie Lights Books in Iowa City!!! With Abby Geni!!
15 South Dubuque St. Iowa City, IA 319-337-2681 800-295-BOOK
Saturday May 13, 2pm
READINGS, Printer’s Row Wine, 2pm
719 S Dearborn CHICAGO
INTERVIEWS
In the coming months I’m going to be a guest on several podcasts and interviewed in several publications. (Details to follow as drop dates become finalized). These include:
The Gazette, Iowa City
Little Village, Des Moines
The Writer’s Forum, with Michael Tusa, WRBH New Orleans
PODCASTS
Hey Boomer
You are ready to live your best life, but sometimes wonder where to begin or how to make it happen. You would really like some insight into what is getting in your way.
Turn the Page
The official podcast from the Syosset public library in Long Island! (I love librarians!)
Game of Books
Game of Books, a podcast where you can get valuable writing information and follow along on the journey to conquer the World of Publishing. Cathi in the North and Christie in the South start begin with novel ideas in the Land of Writing. They each become Queen of their Domain (just ask their kids) and have moved into the Land of Querying. Each time they think they are going to become the all elusive Author in the World of Publishing, a new land pops up … Land of Editing, Land of Contracts, Land of Promoting, Land of Readers, etc. Luckily they are recording their adventures and pitfalls for future generations in the Land of Writing.
Late Bloomer Living
Reimagine your future! Create a better life!
https://www.latebloomerliving.com/podcast/
A Bookable Space with Yvonne Battle-Felton
A Bookable Space is your audio literary salon. Each episode features writers delivering three engaging readings and answering three interesting questions. Hosted by Yvonne Battle-Felton, author of Remembered. Here's the link for the show: https://shows.acast.com/bookable-space
or:
Carter Wilson's Making It Up
In this conversation series USA today best selling author talks with writers of all backgrounds in order to find out why they do what they do...childhood influences, roots of creativity, luck and loss, tools of the craft, and the highs and lows of publishing. At the end of the conversation, a random sentence from a random book is used it to create an impromptu short story. https://carterwilson.com/making-it-up/
Kris Clink's The Writing Table
A podcast for writers and book lovers. Whether you're a newbie-author or a reader, pull up a chair and learn from established authors, publicists, bloggers, and creatives. There is always room at the writing table.
ARTICLES
Look for upcoming articles in Writer’s Digest on “How to Keep Readers Connected When Your Protagonist Does Something Reprehensible” and in CrimeReads (sister publication of LitHub) on a special reading list roundup. Details coming soon!
EXHIBITIONS
April 1- May 7, (Opening reception April 16 1-5 pm)
All the Water that Ever Was, Now Is
Evanston Art Center
Comprised of large paintings, a sculptural installation, research into agencies that care for our water, and demographic data of the communities that share Lake Michigan water accessible via QR codes, All The Water That Ever Was, Now Is engages the idea of water as a commons, a contended resource and a mutual responsibility. The dialogue touches on livelihoods, access, pollution, wealth, ownership, usage, climate change and fears and obligations for the future.
https://www.evanstonartcenter.org/exhibitions/rebecca-keller