Cats, Celebrate, Food, News

Success! Plus, Gotcha Day and a Short Break

56 Comments

Success

On Saturday, the weather gods were kind to us. The day was sunny, and the temperature was relatively mild—in the mid-60s. Off to southern Maine we went to join Shannon and Mike at Stonewall Kitchen and have lunch at their cafe.

Stonewall is such a pretty place.

And while the day was a bit chilly, we wore jackets and were able to eat outside.

I chose my favorite—grilled brie with fig jam and homemade chips on the side.

And a whoopie pie for dessert.

As always, we had a wonderful time talking and catching up. Because of our schedules, Covid, and the weather, the last time we got together was in June for Father’s Day. We, of course, text regularly, but it’s not the same as meeting in person and having a good chinwag, as our friends across the pond might put it.

All too soon it was time to head home—south for Shannon and Mike, north for me, Dee, and Clif. And with the trees glowing in their fall finery, what a beautiful drive it was.

Next birthday: Dee’s at the end of October.

************************************************************************

Gotcha Day

Sunday, October 4 was Gotcha Day for our two cats, Fern and Kai. Hard to believe it’s been a whole year since we adopted them. They have settled very nicely into our routine, and I can’t imagine the household without them. So many cats are given up to shelters, lots of kittens and lots of adult cats. (Kai and Fern were two when they came to live with us.) Poor creatures, totally at the mercy of humans, who are not always merciful. For folks who love cats (and dogs), adopting one or two from a shelter and giving them a good home is such an act of kindness.

Anyway, here Fern and Kai will stay until they cross the rainbow bridge. Happy gotcha day, Fern and Kai! So glad you are with us.

************************************************************************

A Short Break

In November, my fifth book, Darcy Dansereau and the Missing Children, will be published. My first four books revolved around a mysterious place called the Great Library, involving good librarians and bad librarians. Darcy Dansereau takes place closer to home, in Waterville, Maine. There is some magic—I can’t seem to write a story without it—but it’s primarily a slice-of-life novel, a coming-of-age story,  a portrait of an artist as a young girl. (This is a gentle nudge for those who don’t read fantasy. You just might like this one.) As the title suggests, the book is also a mystery involving missing children that Darcy and her friends must solve.

Here is a rough draft of the cover. It still needs some work. Either the leaves on the trees must go, or the white on the sidewalk, which looks like snow, must go. I think maybe my name should be moved to the right of Darcy. Anyway, Clif is working on it. But the image below gives a basic idea of what the cover will look like.

Over the next month or so, there will be a lot of work getting the book ready, and this entails many fiddly things. Therefore, I’ll be taking a break for a few weeks to get the book ready for publication.

When I come back, there will be a giveaway contest for the book, and I’ll send it to the winner anywhere in the world, from Maine to South Africa.

See you in a few weeks!

 

 

56 thoughts on “Success! Plus, Gotcha Day and a Short Break”

  4. What a delightful post! I could steal that brie sandwich! Yum. As for the book cover (I think you know I’m a graphic designer), I agree about the snow. Otherwise I think it works for the subject matter–the colors, composition and typefaces all work nicely. How fortunate to have Clif to make it a team effort. Best wishes with the book. (I have also been taking a break from my blog. I leave for Italy in 12 days, and then it’s Halloween, the time change and the holidays! We all sometimes need a break.)

  5. How exciting about your new book! Along with the drawing, I hope you provide a link for purchasing your book as well.

  9. Happy happy first Gotcha Day sweet Fern and Kai 💕🐈 and congratulations with your new book Laurie! 💖✨️ xxx

  11. Good luck with finishing off your book. The cafe looks nice but what a pity the food was served in a box and not on a plate. I also don’t know what is in a whoopi pie – chocolate I guess? Happy ‘gotcha’ to your cats.

  13. I cannot tell you how much I admire you for having the stamina, the ideas, and the imagination to produce a single book, let alone five of them.

  14. Sunshine, mid-60s, and a day with your kids sound like a perfect day, Laurie.

    Glad your adopted cats have settled in well, I’m sure they are very happy you adopted them.

    Good luck putting the finishing touches on your fifth (!) book. What an accomplishment!

  15. I’m pleased to see the birthday celebrations continuing with another lurking in the horizon. Enjoy your break, happy days to the cats, and I’m excited to see the new book

  16. A wonderful read of matters done and dusted and enjoyed! Best of luck with the new book . . . don’t think you’ll need it . . . must do further homework myself .. . Meanwhile, have a great ‘break’ !

  17. I read your post, shook my head and muttered “BAD librarians! Really?” But on reflection my former colleagues did indeed come in all shapes and sizes: the good, the bad and the ugly. I’ll leave you to decide which of these best describes me. 😂

    It sounds like you have a busy few weeks ahead, and I wish you every success as you hurtle towards publication day. I’m sure Darcy is keen to to embrace the world stage. Meanwhile, belated best wishes to Fern and Kai on Gotcha Day – cats are wonderful ambassadors for happiness, and deserve to be celebrated and loved.

  18. Your celebratory lunch looks delicious. How wonderful to have published your next novel – congratulations, Laurie!

  21. I love going down to Stonewall, though I always spend an utter fortune.
    Happy gotcha day to your beautiful kitties!
    And congrats on your new book.
    ❤️

  22. Wishing you all the best with your new book! I miss having cats, but I’m not ready to adopt again anytime soon. I will live vicariously through looking at photos of other people’s beautiful cats (and your cats are true beauties!).

  23. Two new things here for me: Gotcha Day, which I’d not heard of, and grilled brie, which I also had missed. I’m definitely trying the grilled brie. Who knows? Maybe I’ll give your latest a try, as my introduction to fantasy!

  24. I will look forward to your return Laurie. Meanwhile keep celebrating and I hope the book goes well.

  26. That sounds so exciting with your upcoming book!

    I am happy that you had some nice weather and was able to see your friends. It is so important 🙂

    Happy gotcha day to Fern and Kai. I am happy they’ve found a home with you.

    1. Thanks so much! As you know, I feel exactly the same way about you. I know the Internet has a lot of downsides, but as far as I’m concerned, the WordPress community has been such a blessing. So many kindred spirits all around the world.

  28. Pingback: This week's small pleasures in October.

  29. Hi, Laurie. I’m so happy to hear of your fifth book. Count me as a BIG fan of your first four. I’m not a fantasy reader (in theory) and I was utterly engrossed, entertained and delighted by your Great Librarian series. I can’t wait to read about Darcy. Perhaps with a grilled brie and fig sandwich to keep the vibe going. Much love, CA

    1. So nice to hear from you! I hope your writing is going well. Thanks for the kind words about my writing. My new book has completely different characters and storylines, but it’s in the same universe as the Maya books.

Comments are closed.