busy... and grateful for it!

I don't think I have ever truly been this busy is my entire life, although many times in the past it seemed like I was, always running. But this is for real and it's the best kind of busy. The best because amazing things are happening at every turn. People keep coming into my life who I have been connecting with on deep levels. We are helping each other. Projects I have been working on are coming to life. Dreams are being manifested. Awards are being won. People are connecting to my book and the books I am a part of like I've never seen before. So much synchronicity! The universe continues to surprise and delight me. I am just having the time of my life!

"A Free Woman on God's Earth"

I am totally blown away! Jackie Rogers, the amazing illustrator working with me and Ann-Elizabeth Barnes on our new book, "A Free Woman on God's Earth" The True Story of Elizabeth 'Mumbet' Freeman, The Slave Who Won Her Freedom, has completed the color cover and it is perfect. Beautiful to say the least. I am thrilled beyond belief!

Mumbet and Charlie & Moon

This is a time for endings and beginnings.
Ann-Elizabeth Barnes and I are putting the finishing touches on "A Free Woman on God's Earth" The True Story of Elizabeth "Mumbet" Freeman, The Slave Who Won Her Freedom! Jackie Rogers has begun illustrating it and it's going to be beautiful. We are beyond excited about this project. Mumbet has become very dear to me. I admire her so much and cannot wait to bring her alive for children to read!

Martin Meader and I are also working crazily to get The Adventures of Charlie & Moon ready to go to press. The story just keeps getting better and better and so far, every kid who has been privileged enough to read it, has loved it wildly! I see great things for this book! I cannot wait to see it born.

GOLD MEDALIST!

I am beyond thrilled to announce that yesterday at the Book Expo America in NYC, ForeWord Magazine announced the winners of the Book of the Year Award and my novel, Weeping Under This Same Moon took the gold in the YA catagory! I was there in the audience when it was announced and it felt like I had just won the Oscar! What a thrill to have my novel be considered the best in young adult fiction! It feels great and it gives me a boost of confidence and a feeling of great joy.
I am wondering where all this will take me, but for right now, I am soaking it in and feeling much gratitude and appreciation for this honor and for all my supportive family, friends and readers!

The River

There is an icy clear stream near my home. It's the place I love to sit and meditate, my bare feet dipping in and out of the moving water. The water is numbingly cold and can be deliciously refreshing on a hot day. My dog, Jordy loves the river as much as I do, but he is braver than I, and swims no matter what the weather. I must wait until it is so hot I can barely stand it, and then I will inch my way in. Some days the river is deep enough to swim a lap, other days it is only deep enough to skim a smooth flat stone. I will go there tomorrow with my dog, and I will sit and think about things.

What Fun!

I just got back from spending two days in Mystic and Norwich Connecticut. I did a reading and signing at Bank Square Books and then spoke with 300 high school students at Norwich Technical High School.
When I first got to Mystic, the entire English Department as well as the Principal and Vice Principal took me out to an elegant dinner. Then we went over to the book store for a book signing. Not too many others showed up, but we had a great time. The next day I spoke for 3 hours in front of freshmen, sophomores and juniors, all of whom had read Weeping! It was incredible. Mostly everyone had interesting questions and comments. There were some tough customers, but that's high school! I got huge applause, which was just heartwarming. Kids came up and talked to me about writing, what they are doing and their inspiration. Some of them wanted me to sign autographs. I could get used to this!
It was a wonderful time.

So much to do!

I am in the throes of getting three books ready for publication and feeling a little like a crazy person! A Free Woman on God's Earth is almost ready to be born!
The Adventures of Charlie and Moon, by my friend Martin is starting to take off and The Twelfth Stone is almost ready for typesetting. Then there's Jasmine who is just at the beginning stages.
So, aaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!
But, I'm having so much fun with all of it, that I had better not complain!
:)