Happy Holidays–Counting My Blessings!

Looking back on 2023, my year was defined by family health challenges. My mom had surgery on her spine, a cardiac ablation, and a prescription drug overdose. I am her primary support and found myself living with her for about four months. This year was one of those times when writing takes a back burner to real life. That said, how lucky am I? My mom is back on her feet and able to live independently at the moment.

As for my writing life, some good things are happening!

1. There will be an audio version of DANCING IN THE STORM, which will be available on February 6, 2024. Amie and I received four audio clips of different narrators and got to weigh in on our favorite.

2. The reviews have started to roll in for DANCING IN THE STORM. This one is from Publishers Weekly: https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780593619469

3. Reycraft, (publisher of my Appalachian Storytellers Series), has invited me to ALA LibLearnX on January 19th–22nd. I look forward to seeing old friends and meeting some new ones!

4. In the spring, I will be traveling to Kentucky and launching my book OF WORDS & WATER–The Story of Wilma Dykeman Writer, Historian, Environmentalist at Berea College. Wilma was the first woman to serve on the board of trustees at Berea, so it’s especially fitting to launch her story there.

Wishing everyone a healthy and happy 2024,

Shannon