Dear passionate humans of literary pursuit,

 

The Only English Bookstore in Bologna is pretty much wrapped up, and I'm beyond pleased with its evolution. There's no rest for the weary, though, as I'll be pitching a new story idea to my publisher this very week! We'll see what they think soon enough. 

 

Regarding my new merch store, you spoke, and I listened. I've added new images (as seen below), as well as v-necks, new totes, long-sleeve shirts, and more. Click here to check everything out. I've loved seeing pics of you and your merch so far. Thank you.

Check out my latest Substack, in which I talk about the importance of reading your work aloud. 

Let's talk Richard Russo, the Pulitzer-prize winner from Maine. He's been a part of my lit life ever since I saw Paul Newman play Sully in the adaptation of Russo's Nobody's Fool, one of my favorite movies of all time. If you haven't seen it, what are you still doing here? Along with Paul, you have Jessica Tandy, Melanie Griffith, and a young Bruce Willis! So I came to Richard through a movie and then jumped into his wonderful books.

 

A couple of months ago, I had the great fortune of meeting him and got to share a funny tidbit. When I'm in the south, where I'm from, and people ask what I write, I say I'm a bad Pat Conroy. But up here in New England, I say I'm a bad Richard Russo. I won't soon forget his grin when I told him that. 

 

Recently, Oprah selected one of his older works, Bridge of Sighs, as her latest pick, so I used the excuse to leap in. He's a MARVELOUS writer. We're not talking the kind of book that I would call a page-turner in the sense of being packed with twists, but more the kind that you want to savor as you ease back in a comfy chair with slow jazz playing in the background. He's a master of bending the English language to his will and captures small-town life in the Northeast in a way that will wrap a warm and loving hand around your heart. 

I'm also re-reading Mind Magic, by the fantastic Dr. James R. Doty, who was recently issued his wings. He was a neurosurgeon and Stanford professor with one heck of a story. After his life fell apart, he changed his ways and became pals with folks like the Dalai Lama and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and did so much good for our world.

 

So far as self-development goes, I think he's written one of the most important books of the last decade. My heart swells when I read his words, as he reminds us how powerful we are as individuals, should we take the challenge to squeeze every last drop out of our short lives.

In celebrating hitting one million readers, look what Lake Union, who has published all my books since An Unfinished Story, sent me. Along with my wonderful publisher, I have you to thank, folks. You're my people, and I'm so grateful you give me the gift of slinging stories for a living. I mean that with all of me.

P.S. Please forgive me if I don't respond to your emails. Know that I joyfully read each one. Your notes keep me going, but I best put my energy into meeting the next deadline. Thanks for understanding.

Catch up on old newsletters here.