JUST WHEN I THOUGHT...

…life was GOOD, it got even BETTER during my trip to Clark County in Nevada a few weeks ago to be the featured author at this year’s APPLECORE “kick off” events. Being able to talk to dozens of librarians and teachers about the books I’ve written — plus my passion for writing — was such an honor. However, the absolute BEST part of the trip was visiting Marion B. Earl Elementary School. The welcome I received was truly incredible: a FAB billboard AND the vice principal of the school singing as my intro to the second graders I read “Moving and Grooving to Fillmore’s Beat” to. These kiddos also received an exclusive ‘sneak peek’ of my next picture book with Capstone “The Glam World Tour” (*slated for release in January 2025).

Since I flew to Las Vegas just a couple days after my birthday, I felt especially appreciated and CELEBRATED this “b-day” after those wonderful people made me feel VERY special. The ‘author life’ can be challenging. But moments like this, make all the ups & downs I've navigated in my career absolutely worth it. Thus, keep going after what you really want in life because it is never too late to achieve it —while also discovering even MORE interests, talents and opportunities along the way. This is exactly how I ended up landing more than one paid gig as an editor in the last eight years. (*If you are a writer who would love to make some extra cash, as well as get more of your work published, join me for How to Earn a Living as a Writer on Oct.12 at The Loft Literary Center. I am also leading the Group Wrap-Up Session this Sunday that concludes the next Lit!Series weekend. Pop by for community, conversation and SNACKS if you’ll be near Open Book on Oct.4-6.)

You might be thinking with so much going on in September that my new house is still mostly “boxed up.” But I am happy to report that we are almost completely unpacked, in addition to having some proper furniture now in every room! Even Butter is starting to feel quite at home (*as shown in the photo above). In fact, I’ve resumed going to farmers’ markets now that most of the kitchenware is actually accessible again. Which means pumpkin chili is on tap for this week’s menu as well as a few test recipes for content I am currently working on for TOPS Club.

Also I have resumed accepting product samples. One of the first to arrive was MINGLE’s full mocktail line. I tried their NA Sparkling Rosé several months ago and adored it. Atm, the Blackberry Hibiscus Bellini is my new fave. Brands like this have made the transition from ‘sober curious’ to living ‘alcohol-free’ pretty stressless for me. My other main source of “chill” this month was reading “The Measure” by Nikki Erlick. The premise of the book had me from the moment I skimmed the book jacket at the library. Then I cracked it open, saw it had more than five protagonists and couldn’t get to the ‘check out’ kiosk fast enough. (= I remain in AWE of authors who can successfully pull this off.) No spoilers on this one either; y’all have to read it for yourselves! But I will share that my current literary ‘nightcap’ has multiple narrators too. Esmeralda Santiago’s “Las Madres” is slowly reeling me in. Books with a slow burn can be subtly seductive…

Make it an AMAZING autumn,

—Rachel