One of the keys to my success as an author, ghostwriter, and book coach is my ability to go with the flow and generally be polite while doing so. That’s helped in a variety of jobs and circumstances over the years, some far beyond the normal realms of writing. I learned to play “Yes, and…” as a young actress at a short-lived Renaissance Faire in the Pocono Mountains; the lessons of that improv game have served me well.
As a teacher, a go-with-the-flow mentality helped me create healthy classroom environments where most everyone felt heard, it allowed me to deal appropriately with a student breaking up pot in ISS (yes, seriously—he was a bold 10th grader and I was only doing my cooperative teaching), and to correctly handle kids who came to me to report physical abuse by their parents, or their need to come out about their new name and pronouns. That attitude of mine helped me keep students calm during everything from tests to active shooter drills and evacuations under bomb threat.
Have you thanked a teacher recently? You should. Teachers have never just taught.
As a Library Director, going with the flow and being polite allowed me the strength I needed to help get the town’s library’s funding placed on the tax rolls even after surly old white men with money and social influence came around to try and bully me; it let me deal swiftly and well with a fist fight between surly tweens; it enabled me to get a brand new roof (and more) donated for the library, and gave me a calm disposition when dealing with the discovery of pot pressed carefully into a donated book. And beard hair from someone’s manscaping.
I think now’s the time to remind you that most of us don’t give librarians enough credit, either…
It’s allowed me to be calm in any number of emergencies, including rescuing farm animals who did amazingly stupid and dangerous things to themselves, and I tend to believe that, overall, a come-what-may attitude and politeness coupled with huge doses of gratitude has been instrumental in dropping lovely opportunities in my lap again and again. My agency ghostwriting began with an offhand Facebook post and quadrupled my previous year’s earnings (which had already increased after leaving the classroom). Good things don’t just “come to those who wait,” they also come to those who watch and are open for them.
Such is the case, I believe, that dropped a book signing opportunity in my lap for Saturday. Yes, this Saturday. Look at this lovely flyer the fabulous Tara Conrad put together for us!
Yes, I am returning to my favorite Barnes & Noble—it’s in Vestal, New York, and has a lovely and welcoming staff and a fabulous selection of books. When I got asked to participate I already had plans to be in Vestal on Saturday. I even had plans to be in Barnes & Noble to pick up my copy of Z Brewer’s The Chronicles of Viktor Valentine (it came in earlier than expected) and there are two spring festivals happening at Ukrainian churches in the area (we’ve attended one some years ago and then kept missing them…).
Funny thing is—also—that last week I was just at that B&N supporting author Trinity Slain (I really need to share those photos…) and her book, Burning Red. I first met Trinity last year at a fun author’s event in Richfield Springs that was put on by the local library and author Mindy Baker.
Back in February I was one of the authors at B&N’s HEARTS AND STARS, organized by the fabulous Jen Bokal. As often as I’m there, they’re going to start charging me rent!
So who are these authors I’m attending this B&N event with?
I’ve known Cat Johnson for some years (she lives not far from me and we’ve attended a few of the same events). She is lovely and just wonderful. I’ve even purchased, read, and enjoyed a couple of her books (I should buy more…). You can find Cat and her books on TikTok here, and Instagram here, on Facebook, and Bluesky. Go, follow her—check out her books—she writes romance for almost everyone: cowboys, SEALS, the Cadaver Lab books, and the Kissing Books.
Raven Storm is an author of fantasy and why choose romance, with some paranormal romance thrown in on the side. She has published 20 books so far that have been enjoyed in 31 countries, including her best-selling Rise of the Drakens series which has sold over 200,000 copies worldwide.
A former musician and music educator with degrees in Music Education and Conducting, when Raven isn’t writing you’ll find her performing locally, or helping coach her daughter’s softball team. She lives in the northeast with her amazingly supportive husband and three children.
Tara Conrad’s newest novel is Beneath the Shadows: In a world ruled by betrayal, love may be the deadliest trap of all. In the dangerous and often deadly world of the mafia, staying loyal to the family is rule number one. Antonio learns this first hand, abandoning the luxury of emotions when his cousin, Valentino, son of the current boss, marries the girl he loves. Trapped in an arranged, loveless marriage to Valentino, Alessia hides her fears behind obedience. She yearns for a life free from the dark underworld that surrounds her. When Valentino is murdered, Alessia runs away, believing she can finally live the life she’s dreamed of. When ominous notes start mysteriously appearing, she realizes danger is now closer than ever. Antonio is sent to find and return her, but when their worlds collide, so do the feelings they once had for each other. He’s determined to protect her at any cost, but will he be able to before it’s too late? Step into a dark mafia retelling of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Cask of Amontillado—where love, betrayal, and danger intertwine. Start Beneath the Shadows today.
In book release news, later this month the Tasting Freedom anthology will release with a short story of mine in it. Published by Bayou Queen Publishing, proceeds support Ukraine through the Canada-Ukraine Foundation. Here’s the blurb: When faced with adversity, we have a choice to make. Will we crumble and fall, letting despair win, or will we lift our head, square our shoulders, and stand tall, showing the world that no matter what it throws at us, we will overcome? Join S.L. Davies, Johnna Dee, Beth A. Freely, Jane Gundogan, Alexi Ferreira, Award Winning Author Elizabeth York, USA Times Best Selling Author Katherine Moore, Liliyana Shadowlyn, Jessica Lucci, Ragan Carmichael, Rubi Jade, J. L. Perry, E.S. McMillan, Shannon Delany, Ben Christian, and Angel Nyx as they weave tales of freedom, resilience, and perseverance of the human spirit.
STORMBRINGER (Book Two in the WEATHER WITCH series) releases in May (we’re running a bit behind as I try to meet multiple deadlines and deal with abandoned lambs (I am too old for bottle-feeding babies). Like the recent release of WEATHER WITCH, it includes the original interior (with a few additions in the front and back, but not the story) and a beautiful new cover that I’ll share soon.
Oh! Also, my next event (at least as of now) is on May 10th in Oneonta’s Fortin Park. We’ll be in the hangar, under cover, with books, of course!
