Here's What's Happening, I Think...
January 1, 1970
Okay, I am going to try and send a newsletter. I attempted this once before (months ago) but it ended up somewhere in the ether so this is either brave or stupid, depending on how (and if) it works.I'm beginning to realize that my new novel Night Sisters is nearly a reality. It's already listed on Amazon.com although they don't have the cover illustration reproduced -- and the cover is unbelievably beautiful. I unveiled it for my book club last week, just to get their reactions. Wow! The photograph on the cover was taken by a Polish photographer (a woman) who specializes in ethereal imagery. I hope you're blown away by the mood it projects and the touch of humor as well.
Because my other author photos are so giddy (my brother and sister and I all have very toothy smiles) I'm having another taken tomorrow have been practicing a more pensive look in the mirror. The other night I tried on the turtleneck I wanted to wear (no explanation needed) but my husband said it made me look like my head was sticking out of a stump. "You're worried about your neck, aren't you," he remarked, shaking his head. He knows me way too well.
About Night Sisters: there will be a Book Launch on Sunday August 24th at the Wonewoc Spiritualist Camp, at 11:30, following their church service. Much of the novel is set at that locale, so I'm hoping the spirits will provide a good sendoff. I can't deny that it is a bit spooky to think of reading from my book up there. I am not actually a Spiritualist but I feel something exists on another level. So it's all very exciting and kind of eerie at the same time. I hope we'll have a good crowd -- both in person and the other kind.
Big mistake: last night I was fiddling around on my computer and Googled myself plus Night Sisters just to see if it was mentioned anywhere. That's something authors are reluctant to admit they do but we all secretly care about what's being said and where. Unfortunately, I looked at a Barnes & Noble site and found a reader review of Star Lake Saloon and Housekeeping Cottages that was less than favorable. I can't recall it verbatim and if I look it up again now I'll lose this newsletter and all I've written here thus far -- but the woman said something like she'd hoped to purchase the book for relatives who had a cottage up north but read it first and was appalled at the inappropriate sexual blah blah blah and "forewarned is forearmed," which has me thinking this woman must be kind of a prude anyway so I shouldn't let it bother me. Nevertheless, it's the bad reviews that stick around much longer than necessary. You can have a hundred good ones that cause a momentary burst of pleasure but one nasty review hangs around and hurts for a long time. I don't want to disappoint anyone but the activities surrounding the motel scene in Star Lake are not replicated in Night Sisters. Of course there's a love story (several, actually) but no one's hiding behind the door. Well, come to think of it, someone does peek through a keyhole...
Before my novel is published, I'll be gathering my materials for my class at The Clearing that will run from June 22-28. We are very noisy and raucous -- we laugh a great deal (and loudly) so the week we shared the building with a Yoga class there were a few complaints that we'd interfered with their meditations. Last autumn we were next door to a watercolor class. They said "You guys have way too much fun!"
Okay, I'm going to try and send this now. Wish me luck!
Sincerely, Sara