My debut novel, The Salt and Light Express, will be published this October. It’s the story of Chris, an adventurous older woman who heads west in a small RV after the death of her long-time partner, Sally. Her original mission was to spread Sally’s ashes at Bryce Canyon, but detours along the way help her heal, confront her flagging faith, and find love and purpose again. It’s an inspiring novel perfect for book clubs, and I can’t wait for you to read it.
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Pre-order begins September 15. You’ll be able to buy the book here and in all the usual places. Stay tuned.
Pre-order begins
Salt and Light Express launch party
MFA and Beyond
I post on Substack about the low-residency MFA, the writing life, and what happens next. Subscribe for free!
Shifting Sands Media will be the imprint for publishing The Salt and Light Express and subsequent novels.
This book. It’s inspiring me to write more vividly and freely about my main characters’ relationship. Wowza. Thanks, @amcapone802 for the tip. #atmosphere #taylorjenkinsreid #bookstagram #writersofinstagram
I migrated from #adobeexpress to #canva. If you haven’t given it a try for you #socialmedia you should. I made a #booktrailer with it. Link in profile #indieauthor #writersofinstagram
#thenames @florenceknapp_ got up at 4 to finish it. I have read some wonderful novels lately. Unique premise, beautiful writing, epic story, but with disturbing domestic violence. #bookstagram #books #booklover #booksbooksbooks
Believe it or not these gals were thrilled to meet a “real author.” They are voracious readers and nieces of a good friend. They asked a lot of questions. #writer #writersofinstagram #booklife
Just got my copy of classmate @e_keisman novella. Looking forward to reading it! #drexelmfa @drexel_mfa_alumni_
Could. Not. Put. It. Down. A novel for our distracted, AI-addled times. Need to find a #bookclub discussion. #culpability @bruceholsingerauthor #bookstagram #mindfulness #putdownyourfreakinphone
My first ever #unboxing. The physical proof of the #saltandlightexpress arrived today. Why do I sound like #oprah? (She and #gayleking are mentioned in the first chapter.)
Our new entertainment. The #happybirdy feeder. Records video, IDs #birds 24 hours a day. #birdnerd
Wow got a lengthy and positive review from @forewordreviews and it’s going in their September/October issue. #indieauthorsofinstagram #indiewriter #writersoninstagram #woohoo
My #audiobook is a wrap! Now I just have to listen to 8 hours plus of it to sign off. Thanks! @soundslikemarquis and @theaudiobookexperience #saltandlightexpress #authorsofinstagram #writer #writingcommunity
There are 16 songs mentioned in the #saltandlightexpress - frustrated that you can’t easily use song lyrics I made a playlist on #spotify. Link in profile. #writer #writersofinstagram #author #indieauthorsofinstagram
It’s been awhile since I read #historicalfiction and I really enjoyed what I learned about WW2 England in #thebookloverslibrary by @madelinemmartin. Margarine sandwiches (!), married women (even widows) not allowed to work, children separated from families for years, subscription lending libraries. Good stuff from a fellow #drexelmfa author.
Sigh. There’s always a way to get your book #published #writer #author #writersofinstagram #dontgiveup
The copyright page for #saltandlightexpress Working on the book trailer now! #drexelmfa #drexel_mfa_alumni #author #writing #writingcommunity #gettingreal!
#Kerrville is where my mother grew up and my family lives. I see “The Secret Beauty of Their Hearts,” as #thomasmerton put it. It is the setting for my novel. #hillcountry #guadaluperiver
Link in profile.
My protagonist spends about half the novel in Haysville, which is really #Kerrville, Texas. Most of my relatives live in the #HillCountry.
“Far below the town’s main street, the #guadaluperiver flowed green and lazy among the pecan and bald cypress trees, although it did not take much of a storm to quickly churn it into a violent torrent.”
Spent last Friday on the periphery of the huge #alaac25 in Philly. #Libraries and #librarians are one of our last lines of defense against authoritarian #censorship and #bookbanning. Don’t be quiet!! Link in profile.
Hello everyone! Here’s the #coverreveal for my debut novel, “The Salt and Light Express.” Later today I am Zooming with the audiobook producer and chosen narrator. Thanks to @monkey_c_media for the cover design. #writing #writersofinstagram #drexelmfa #writingcommunity #saltandlightexpress @drexel_mfa_alumni @drexelmfa @drexel_coas
I don’t really need another tote bag. But I need this one. #alaac25 #librarians #library #indiepublishing @ibpalovesindies @forewordreviews
I was armed with bookmarks for the #alaac25 in #Philly. Wish I could’ve hung out with these folks for more than a day. My novel features a small-town #library and courageous #librarian caught in the culture wars. #coverreveal is Monday. #drexelmfa #writing #writingcommunity
Sometimes you have to quit a #writing group to focus on your writing. Getting very focused and single-minded now. Link in profile. #drexelmfa #writersofinstagram #writingcommunity #writinglife
I am not the only reader disappointed in the ending, but still an amazing read. #tilt #earthquake #portlandia #cascadianfaultline
This baby is going to be birthed in October! An update. Link in profile.
Mfaandbeyond.substack.com #drexelmfa #writersofinstagram #writer #writing #writingcommunity @drexel_mfa_alumni_
