Guest Author Events & Book buzz

Happy (almost) Thanksgiving! There is a lot happening behind the scenes, so here is a very unorganized update of what has been going on recently! 

• I am honored to be the featured guest author at the Palmetto State Literacy Association Conference, in February 2023 in Hilton Head Island, SC.
• I am equally honored to be selected as the visiting author at Collegiate School's Hooked on Books reading program in Richmond, VA, Summer 2022. 
• I was asked to speak at the Writing Picture Books with Heart webinar with Rosie J. Pova and the Writing Workshops of Dallas last week. I love sharing my journey with others who are on a similar path or anyone who is interested in my children's books. 
• I was selected to blog for Writing Workshops of Dallas as I am one of their featured students to follow on my path to publication. 
• I had new headshot photos taken by a very talented friend of mine, Krystal Comisky Photography (see photo above). 
• I am planting seeds everywhere I go. I was out shopping and ran into Pottery Barn Kids where I found a beautiful children's picture book display. I started talking to the sales associate who became very interested in hearing about my books, and said they would love to feature a local author and sell my books in their store. She gave me her info and asked me to contact them when they are ready for pre-order. 
• The local Barnes and Noble wants to host a signing event for me when my books are published, which is so kind of them, and I seriously cannot wait for the day.
• My environmental awareness story, Island Girls: Turtles in Danger has been endorsed by Global Expeditions Group, Animal Ocean, Plastic Ocean Project, various PADI scuba diving instructors, teachers, and reading specialist. 

This is only a little snapshot of what is happening behind the scenes, which is all fantastic and wonderful and so thrilling, but I still need a good solid publishing deal. I've asked all of these people if they care that I haven't signed a publishing deal yet, all of them say they do not care, they are just interested in hearing from an author on their journey and so thankful to have me speak! If I have pre-order or a way to order my books or if they are available, they will happily circulate to their audiences and support me. How amazing is that?! I am so humbled and thankful, and I just hope I can deliver an inspiring message to each different audience I speak to. Honestly, sometimes I am frustrated by this process and even doubt myself, but I think the important thing is to be real and maybe that is what is attracting people to ask me to speak at their events? Whatever the reason, I'm honored, excited, nervous, and I hope I will have books they can buy and that I can physically sign at the events. Nonetheless, I am planting a lot of seeds for when the time comes, whatever publisher decides they like me and my books, we can hit the ground running. 

One last update, my agent has all six of my manuscripts out on submission and we are nearing the time when *hopefully* we start getting some good solid offers from publishers who have distribution here in the USA. I feel that is a very important piece of this publishing puzzle, to make sure my friends and family and network can actually physically go into a store and buy my books. 

Thats it for now. I am so thankful for each and every one of you, for the different ways you are  supporting me and for the ways you will support me in the future. It means the world to me. 

Stay tuned for lots of excitement ahead... I know it's coming! 
Blair