Happy November, readers! I recently made a major decision regarding my author accounts; beginning December 1, I’m going on a six-month social media sabbatical. This means that until June 1, 2024, I will have no new posts (with the exception of those I’ve already promised to other authors). I am deleting the apps from my phone and will set an auto-reply for direct messages. That doesn’t, however, mean I’m abandoning my readers.
For many months, I have felt this tug when it came to social media. There was a constant battle with what I should post, how often, and was I posting for the right reasons or just because I felt I had to? Was my content what God was truly calling me to share or what I need to be seen as an author? Most people would say a lengthy social media break isn’t a good business decision, especially in the months leading up to a book release. It has the possibility of making readers forget you and never return. But were those fears overshadowing the bigger picture? After lots of prayer, discussion with friends, and massive confusion, I believe that this break will help me to refocus on the stories I need to tell and what my readers need from me. It’s a decision as positive as it is frightening.
I am extremely grateful for my readers and especially you, my newsletter subscribers. You have taken an extra step to be on this journey with me and I never want to diminish the importance of your support. Therefore, from at least January to July 2024, I will be offering a second newsletter, sent once per month, that includes bonus content related to my writing process, characters, playlists, books I’m reading, etc., all curated especially for you. I want to be appreciative of your time, so this extra content will be opt-in via the link below. I ask you to pray for me, as I will be praying for you, as we take this next step in the writing journey together.
Write Your Novel November
It’s National Novel Writing Month, known in my Christian Mommy Writers group as Write Your Novel November. While the traditional goal of the month is to write a 50,000 word novel in one month, authors can use this month in a variety of ways. With the business of mom life, wife life, and my day job, I know that 50,000 words is an unrealistic goal for me, but I always try to complete a large chunk of my current work in progress. This year I made a goal to complete 30,000 words in Sparks Fly Upward, and I am pleased to share that as of writing this, I am at over 16,000 words. If you’re an author, what are your goals for this month? If not, do you have a reading goal?
Fictional Characters, Real Settings
One of the scenes in Sparks Fly Upward takes place at the real Old St. Mary’s Catholic Church in San Francisco, a church that still exists to this day. After finding mixed information related to its founding, I contacted the church staff and was so appreciative when they sent me a photo of the interior from 1906, the same year the church would survive the Great San Francisco earthquake, only to be damaged by fire the next day. This would have been the same interior my characters see when they visit in 1858.
Old St. Mary’s has an interesting history. Its construction began in July of 1853 and due to its intention to be a Chinese mission, was built by Chinese laborers using brick brought over from China, yet built in a Gothic style. It included seating for over 1,200 people and its spire rose over 200 feet high, making it, at the time, the largest church in California. One of its unique features was the clock on its front tower, which read underneath, “Son, Observe the Time and Fly from Evil (Ecclesiasticus 4:23).” In the 1850s, San Francisco was known for its large number of brothels; the clock was installed as a warning to the men who frequented them.
The photos above show the church altar as it looked then versus how it looks today. The modern photo is from St. Mary’s website.
Getting Crafty
Do you enjoy craft fairs? I like to attend them on occasion, but this past month was the first one I decided to sell books at. Fellow historical fantasy author, Susan Laspe, and I shared a booth space, not knowing how many books we would sell or if we would sell any. (Craft fairs aren’t typically known for being book fairs.) I’m happy to say we were thrilled with the results. It was lots of fun talking to our readers, friends, and family, including those from the St. Louis chapter of the Catholic Writers Guild. Thank you to all who stopped by! This may have been our first craft fair, but it certainly won’t be the last.
On Central Park Giveaway
Thank you to those who entered the Hotel Hamilton giveaway last month. Congratulations to our winners, Katja and Mrs. M!
This month’s giveaway is one paperback copy of The Metropolitan Affair by Jocelyn Green. This is an exciting story of romance and betrayal in the world of 1920s art and Egyptian archeology, set in New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. The second book in the series, The Hudson Collection, releases June 4, 2024. To enter, complete the form at the link below by November 24, 2023. Winner will be contacted directly and announced in next month’s newsletter. U.S. residents only.
Releasing in November
Need another read? Here are the new releases I’m excited about:
- Already in the Kudzu by Hannah Hood Lucero – military romantic suspense set in the blue ridge mountains.
- The One Who Promised Forever by Tara Grace Ericson – small town firefighter romance of second chances within marriage. I read the first two books and they were excellent.
- One Week in November by Sarah Everest – a novella of friendship, family, and the tough choices we make that change everything
- A Faith Such as Heaven Intended by Amanda Lauer – the fifth novel in a Catholic Civil War series of faith and romance set in the American South
- A Class Inherited by Susie Murphy – the sixth book in the A Matter of Class series about Irish immigrants from different sides of the class divide. Note for my clean readers: this series is not clean, but is wonderfully written. It is currently the only series I make an exception for.
Did you know that reviews help both readers and authors? Even one sentence is enough, and every word greatly appreciated. Consider leaving a rating on Amazon, Goodreads, BookBub, and/or your favorite retailer!
Until next month, happy reading!
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam
Kelsey
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Purple Mask Publishing
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