Hello friends–I’m wondering if you’ve had times when you’ve felt overwhelmed by commitments to which you’ve blithely said, “Sure, I’ll do that,” and then, seeing a list of what you’re taken on–and wouldn’t dream of backing out of–you’re suddenly face-slapping yourself and choking out, “OMG, what have I done?” And at the same time, you wouldn’t change a thing.
That’s what my event schedule for The Language of Kin is looking like to me. And I’m grateful as more is being added. Crews are back in their studios since my last novel so there are more podcasts and radio interviews. At least those don’t require me to clean-up, amen, but I’ll tell you what does: live video interviews and in person events. Those mean I’ll need to wash my hair, style it, come up with clean, matching, and unwrinkled clothes, put on makeup that doesn’t look like I’m a refugee from Cabaret, and–a true challenge–find shoes that aren’t flip flops. This may not sound like a lot, but I’m a writer so this may be something I usually manage once a week but not all at once. Yes, I do realize that those of you who don’t work from home do all of these simultaneously at least five days a week; I bow to your skill and bravery.
During Covid, I would have killed for a schedule like this. There were no opportunities to interact face-to-face with readers, to discuss and connect. Somehow, I guess I got used to it when my last book came out and now a normal publication life for an author has turned daunting, maybe even scary. And I know there are authors whose schedule shows a great deal more travel.
“No, I will not look at that atrocity! Not only is there no noble, handsome and smart Lab in it, which she owes me big time, but she makes a big fuss about a chimpanzee! What is WRONG with her?”
But I’m especially thankful that independent bookstores are open and even thriving and want authors to come to them, grateful for the book-loving communities who read and spread the word about new literature, and for libraries that are the hearts of so many of our towns. They acquire, display, and recommend literature. Don’t forget to thank a librarian and the people who work in your local bookstore (if you’re lucky enough to have one.) You can ask your local library to acquire The Language of Kin. That’s always really helpful to a novel.
Here’s some bits of information: my event schedule is on my website, here: https://www.lynnehugo.com/events. I’d love to see you in person or have you join a virtual event.
AND there is a Goodreads Giveaway going on right now. One hundred free e-books are on offer. I’ll give you a link to enter the contest. And please, put The Language of Kin on your Want To Read list if you’re a Goodreads person– What’s behind a Goodreads giveaway is the hope of generating extra reader reviews as early as possible because they count a lot with potential buyers. (So far early reader reviews of The Language of Kin have been, no kidding, stellar.) You can go to Goodreads.com and look up the novel and read them for yourself. And the one review that’s hidden, because it contains spoilers–go ahead and read it anyway. The author says that the review doesn’t contain spoilers.)
This link is to the Goodreads Giveaway, which ends June 12, is: https://bit.ly/3BYM8OY
If you’re a book buyer yourself, please know that any pre-order made through any outlet (brick and mortar bookstore, any online outlet such as Amazon, etc., Bookshop.org, or IndieBound.org) makes an enormous difference. It tells the publisher that there’s desire for the book, and the publisher then knows about additional print runs that will be needed, and, too, plans other ways to promote it. Honestly, this is why authors are always asking you to preorder a book and/or to ask your library or local bookstore to carry it.
If you’re curious about Scout, thank you for caring! Although he still often struggles to get to his feet by himself, he’s walking unassisted, not a fan of hot, humid weather, and is doing a fair amount of going out alone, knee to belly deep in our small, singing creek to retrieve his ball. When he’s in the mood, he’ll do a short, lopsided trot/run on the trail, also after his ball. We’re working on getting him to swim again, which would be the perfect exercise, finding spots in the river that are deep enough and the current is very lazy. We have to dress so that we could easily go in after him. Yes, his vets are thrilled with his progress, which was never a sure thing.
Thank you! I hope your summer has started off beautifully and hasn’t galloped off on its own (yet)! I’d love to hear your plans in the comments section. One randomly selected person, first name drawn by my neighbor from that of those who comment will get my second to last copy of the print Advance Reader Copy. Pre-proofreading mistakes included.
