Our Book – Telling Tales and Sharing Secrets

We finally have the galley print of our book retitled Telling Tales and Sharing Secrets. Sally, Jackie, and I have worked very hard over several years to bring this project to fruition. We three are rereading the book for the umpteenth time. It is a different experience to read it as a book than as a manuscript you imagine as a book. Of course, I see lots of things I would change but it is too late in the process and, for the most part, it looks good. I don’t think a writer ever finishes a piece of writing because word choices and phrases keep popping up in your head even after you have put the piece “to bed.” At some point, you just have to let go and say done.

I am so very grateful for the support we received from the writing community who agreed to read the manuscript and contribute a thumbs up compliments in writing for our book. That includes Meg Files, Sheila Bender, Rita Magdaleno, Janice Eidus, Nancy Turner, and Dina Greenberg who took time from busy schedules to read 310 pages and comment. All three of us were awed by their willingness and responses.

I am even more grateful for the friendship and diligence of my co-authors. We had a few disagreements along the way but for the most part, we were on the same page when issues arose. Each disagreement was confronted directly over multiple zoom calls and amicably resolved to everyone’s satisfaction. The absolute trust we have with each other has been forged over more than two decades. Even after Jackie moved to Colorado we were able to keep our writers’ group alive and well thanks to internet connections, some reunion trips, and the commitment we share.

We also give kudos to our spouses who supported us in this project. They encouraged us and reserved space for us to be focused on our project without complaint. Thank you Allen Showalter, Danny Collins, and most of all Ken Kinared.

The publication date is sometime in the future, probably fall 2022, and we still have to meet with the marketing coordinator at Atmosphere Press. I am working on a website we will use to shout out our news. We will all three blog on that website to maintain awareness and hopefully generate sales of the book.