It's DANCING WITH DADDY's 1st book birthday! Oh my goodness, are we here???? Baaaah, we are! What an adventure! I'm so incredibly grateful for each and every facet of the past year. It was so much more than I EVER could have dreamed, imagined or predicted. DANCING WITH DADDY’s journey has been a huge success, and that was 110 percent because of you!!!
Every bookstore and library event attended
Every book purchased and gifted (I’m looking at you, holiday elves!)
Every library request and book borrow
Every post, story, boost, comment and share on social media
Every school principal and librarian introduction
Every book review, interview, story and podcast
Every kind word and warm wish
An especially big thank you to illustrator Ziyue Chen, who created a girl that readers everywhere just fell in love with. THANK YOU, ZIYUE! The fan art I’ve received and the favorite scenes that readers have shared have been the best gifts to unwrap. I mean, the BEST!
It’s hard to believe that I ever felt nervous presenting in front of crowds (and oh, I used to be VERY afraid). But I had so many opportunities to talk in front of audiences this year that it’s truthfully become a distant memory! If I haven't presented at your school, or the school of someone you love, please reach out! I LOVE doing school visits! Young readers see themselves as writers, just as I see myself. They are my people. Talking about creativity and inspiration with students fills me up to the brim - it’s so energizing! I’d love to do even more of it in 2023 and beyond.
Among the year’s surprises were unexpected accolades: a feature in The TODAY Show’s holiday gift guide, a starred review from Kirkus, inclusion in Kirkus Reviews and Bank Street’s Best Picture Book of the Year lists, Dolly Gray and Christopher awards, recognition as an SCBWI Crystal Kite finalist… I was just completely, utterly blown away! In fact, I still am.
How did my oldest, wildest, biggest dream come true?
I’m from a small town - shout out, Bethany! There are 1,300 people in the place where I grew up, and one thing I am certain I carry with me to this day is how deeply connected we are all - sometimes in ways we don’t even recognize, respect, accept or appreciate.
Each generous, loving, supportive rock that you tossed into the waters of your world for DANCING WITH DADDY rippled out and out and out—creating waves that carried our book to places I never imagined. Thank you doesn’t cut it, but it’s all I have. My deepest and most sincere thanks, to each and every one of you. I love you all!
To celebrate, I’m going to get a delicious coffee today, from my favorite coffee shop, LOL! And… I'm also hosting a Twitter contest, for those of you who are active there. Visit my pinned tweet HERE to enter. I’m giving away a signed copy of DANCING WITH DADDY, plus a Zoom visit. To enter: Follow, RT or QT, and tag a friend by EOD 12/7!
What will 2023 bring? Oh my… a lot. I’d be so honored if you’d join me again on the wild, winding rollercoaster of book creation. Until then, Happy Holidays and lots of love to you and your crews! And if there’s a little one in your life who you’d like to give a copy of DANCING WITH DADDY to this holiday season, I’d be so happy to send you a signed bookplate and bookmark to go with the gift. Just LMK!