I’m coming out of the gate with the hot off the press cover for the second book in my middle grade series, FLOW. In this follow up to Shift, Dax Masters is tasked with figuring out what is happening with the oceans. With the help of his friends, and some new characters, these 7th graders identify the problem and work together to come up with a solution. The cover is SO ALIVE, much like Shift, and perfectly embodies the turmoil in the pages and in the oceans.
I’ll let you know as soon as the pre-order window opens. FLOW is scheduled for an August 20, 2024 release.
Seeing the cover for my next book was exactly the lift I needed. I don’t know if it was menopause, or the creative drought I’ve been in, or the eclipse, or mercury retrograde, or filing my taxes that sent me spiralling toward the end of last week. On the advice of some other writer friends, I stepped away from the women’s fiction I’ve been working on and did some other things. I spent my mornings sleeping in until 6 or 7 am. I did some morning reading. I ramped up my exercise and spent many, many days with very sore muscles. I allowed myself to daydream and not think about the book I was struggling with.
I can already feel that tomorrow I’ll be ready to tackle the novel again. I guess I did need to take a break.
Yesterday (Saturday) was the first day of the Spring Fling Market in Okotoks. I spent the day with other writers from the Foothills Writers Group selling my books. New to my inventory is the freshly launched Camping Logbook that I’ve been quietly working on for a few months. If you are a camper like me, this is a great way to keep track of where you’ve been and what you did. I started keeping a log two seasons ago in a blank journal. It proved really useful when I was booking sites at campgrounds we had been to, but where I couldn’t remember if we liked the site, if there was deep slope, or if it was tricky to get into. I took all the prompts that I’ve been using and put them in a pretty book - hardcover and paperback. Available on Amazon at the link above.
One final note. I treated myself to a flat white at Monogram Coffee in University District and was thrilled when they served it with sparkling water. I haven’t seen this since I was in Italy more than 20 years ago. In the small town of Siena, the pasticcerr\ia where I went for my morning espresso and brioche didn’t serve it with sparkling water and it certainly wasn’t served on a platter. The first time I was handed a glass when I ordered, I shook my head and said “no, grazie. I don’t need water.” The barista glared at me, then explained I drink to cleanse my palette before the espresso. Next time you order any espresso drink, ask for a small glass of sparkling water or mineral water (it has to be mineral water to cleanse). It will change your experience.
What I’m reading
In line with needing a break, I picked up a book that I was hoping would make me laugh and had a character much like Charlie in Starter Villain by John Scalzi, which I read last month. On a recommendation, I borrowed The Kaiju Preservation Society from the library without recognizing it was from the same author. I think I was on page 6 when I thought this book had Starter Villain vibes and only then did I look at the author. *insert eye roll*. It’s fun, a bit dark, and the main character is so damn human.
Happy reading friend.
XO Dana
As someone who left AB 20 years ago, I love the subtle reminders of home
Congrats on the beautiful cover!