I hope you love deeply and are loved in return!
I must admit that February is one of my favorite months. I suppose part of the reason for this is that it’s my birthday month—I’ll turn 60 years old on February 11. I have such a hard time believing that! In my head, I’m still in my mid-thirties. But then I catch a glimpse of myself in a mirror and realize the truth. I have so much that I still want to do, though; I sure don’t intend to let a few years get in my way!
This year—like most years—Chris and I will host a bluegrass jam party in our home on my birthday weekend. The party really has nothing to do with my birthday; it’s just a good time of year to get together and play music—a month and a half after Christmas and a month and a half before Easter. In mid-February, the weather is usually yucky and folks are looking for something to do. So they’re happy to come here and join us to play bluegrass music for a night. Chris and his music buddies are amazing musicians—Chris plays the fiddle very, very well—and so much fun to listen to! During the party, if I’m feeling particularly brave, I’ll pull out my dobro and play along—very quietly—for a song or two. I’m not very good but still love to be part of the jam. Dinner is potluck, everyone brings delicious food, and a good time is had by all. If I remember to take some pictures that night, I’ll post them in next month’s newsletter.
In this month’s edition, I have some big news to share, a few people to thank, and two February author events to tell you about—one public and one not. And then I’ll share some fun photos readers have sent in of them enjoying But Cats Don’t Talk, my new YA novel. A few of the photos feature cats, too—of course!
BIG NEWS
I’m Now an Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach!
I am proud to announce that after completing over 100 hours of online classes and passing three rigorous practicum tests, I have earned a coveted book coach certification from Jennie Nash’s Author Accelerator Program. With fewer than 200 certified coaches worldwide, I have joined an elite group of professionals trained to coach authors through every phase of a book’s life—from conception to publication.
In the coming months, I will be revising this website to offer coaching packages focused on specific aspects of the book-writing process, making it easier for me to provide you with exactly the coaching you want. Do you need help in developing an idea for a book? I can do that. Or perhaps you need assistance writing the rough draft? Count me in. Or maybe you’ve written a draft and need help revising it? I’d be happy to help with that. Or maybe your book is written and polished but you’re confused about how to pitch it to literary agents? I know how to do that. Or perhaps you’d like someone to guide you through the whole book-writing process, beginning to end? I can do that, too. And I LOVE coaching! Helping another author write and publish a book is as rewarding to me as writing and publishing my own books—maybe even more so!
THANK YOU
Thank You, Willett Free Library!
Thanks so much to all of the great folks at Willett Free Library in Saunderstown, Rhode Island, for making my Author Talk there last month so much fun. Everyone—especially Library Director Jennifer Shaker—was so kind and welcoming! The audience was attentive and then asked great questions about But Cats Don’t Talk, writing books, and being a book coach. What a wonderful experience! If you haven’t been to Willett Free Library yet, make sure to visit soon.
Talking about a talking cat at Willett Free Library
Click here to buy a signed copy of the book
And Thank You, Kingston Free Library!
And then last week, the kind folks at Kingston Free Library in Kingston, Rhode Island, welcomed me for a presentation of But Cats Don’t Talk in their beautiful meeting room—once a courtroom. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Librarian Mary Ann Comstock and the rest of the staff there for making me feel right at home. It seemed especially appropriate to do a presentation there since two scenes from the book take place right there on the University of Rhode Island campus.
Reading an excerpt from But Cats Don’t Talk at Kingston Free Library
UPCOMING EVENTS
Book Signing at Wakefield Books
If you happen to be out and about in Rhode Island on Saturday, February 10, please stop by to see me at Wakefield Books in the Wakefield Mall at 160 Old Tower Hill Road in Wakefield, RI. I will be there from 10 a.m. to noon, signing copies of my books. They’d make great Valentine’s Day presents—just saying!
Beachwood Book Club
If you are a member of the Beachwood Book Club of the North Kingstown (RI) Senior Association, I will be joining you for your February meeting at Beachwood House on February 27 to discuss my historical fiction novel, Frozen Voices. I enjoy presenting to book clubs—other people who love to read—and I look forward to meeting with you.
Click here to buy a signed copy of the book
That’s all the news for this month. Now, as promised, here are some photos of readers—and their pets—enjoying But Cats Don’t Talk. If you would like to send me a photo of you enjoying BCDT, too, I’ll post it in a future newsletter.
Thanks for reading!
Lynne
READERS’ PHOTOS OF BUT CATS DON’T TALK
Phil reading BCDT in Taipei, Taiwan
Avery’s adorable kitten, Igor, getting ready to read BCDT
Julia sharing BCDT with her cuddly kitty, Beaf
Kate at the Providence Airport, taking BCDT on a trip with her