Yes, we’re in the new house. I questioned whether we’d make it, at times. We’ve bought seven houses over the decades and this was by far, the most difficult one. Why? Is it because the terrible housing crisis has made everyone involved in the process crazier? Is it because “frictionless” systems (using storage containers, hiring moving professionals separately) is full of gaps with no ability to talk to a responsible person? Probably.
But enough about the downside. The upside is that the house we’ve bought was formerly owned by artists, artists who’d lived there for over thirty years and who put a lot of themselves, and a lot of love, into the property. It’s the most loved, pre-owned house we’ve had the good fortune to buy.
The other exciting bit is that it comes with a huge outbuilding. The couple were metal artists, so they had a complete fabrication shop on premises. They nurtured their business from this 3,000 square foot building—creating, packing, shipping, heading off to ACC shows in their spiffy camper van. We, of course, don’t need all this space. But… I’ve always been drawn to having a separate building not only for working but playing around with (as I suspect a lot of people do). As a matter of fact, as we were moving our stuff onto the property yesterday, it dawned on me that we were spending more time in the outbuilding than the house.
If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that in the recent past we had a guesthouse above our garage, and I used that as my office for a couple years. I found, after we sold it, that I really missed it. The new property gives me the opportunity to recreate it. Really: you’ll recognize most of the furniture from that earlier space. It was the artists’ gallery, on the top floor of the outbuilding. I can’t wait to get it all set up—and honestly, I can’t wait to get it set up because I start taping videos and interviews for INCARNATE starting tomorrow (gulp).
In addition to my work space, we plan to house a rehearsal space for my husband, the musician; a separate garage for his motorcycles; a storage area for his musical equipment; and a home gym. The basement will be for storage, but with all this space, it will probably sit empty for a while. His recording studio will be in the basement of the house, and my weaving studio will be in an upstairs room in the house (at least for now).
We are inheriting from the previous owners a goldfish pond and a lot of plants. We’re not gardeners and have never had koi before so it’s all a little scary. There’s even a small greenhouse that will probably fall rapidly into disuse. Maybe it’ll become gothic inspiration—that’s my story, anyway, and I’m sticking to it.
Are we lucky? Yes, very. In many ways, it’s a dream come true. A dream we never expected.
But it’s also scary. It’s far more house than we ever thought we’d own. It needs some work and some additions, like a fence for the dogs. And, it goes without saying, it’s expensive. But—you only live once, amirite?
In other news: swag for INCARNATE is coming in! The bookplates are finally here (my fault; we had to put ordering on hold until we knew what our future address would be). If you want a signed bookplate, email me at almakatsubooks2@gmail.com with your mailing address. Sorry, can only send to U.S. address due to the craziness & expense of international mail right now.
I also have INCARNATE wristbands which I’ll be giving away at in-person events while supplies last.
It’s still shaping up times are needed for a couple events but… please take a look and consider coming out to see me if it looks like I’ll be in your area.
September 19
Carroll County Book Festival, Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 W. Center Street, Westminster Maryland. I don’t know the time of my panel yet but will post on my website once it’s confirmed. Jodi Picoult is the headliner!
September 21, 7 pm
Book launch at One More Page Books, 2200 N. Westmoreland St, Arlington VA. I’ll be in conversation with author & screenwriter Jamie Flanagan.
September 22, 7 pm
Riverstone Books, 5841 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh PA. I’ll be in conversation with author Gwendolyn Kiste.
September 23, 7 pm
Pocket Book Shop, 903 Wheatland Ave, Lancaster PA. I’ll be in conversation with author Gwendolyn Kiste. More details coming.
September 26, 4:30 pm
Patapsco Literary Festival, Ellicott City, Maryland. My talk will be held at The Market at Caplan’s, 8125 Main Street.
October 1, 7- 8 pm
Springfield-Greene Public Library, 4653 South Campbell Ave, Springfield MO. I’ll be appearing with Saratoga Schaffer in “Terrifying Tales Reimagined”. More details HERE.
October 14
Curious Iguana, Frederick, Maryland. Details coming soon!
October 15
Thrillerfest Online School. I’ll be on a panel on research. Details coming soon!
October 17
Merrimack Halloween Festival, Lawrence Public Library, Lawrence, Massachusetts. Details coming soon!
October 27, time TBA
Mary Riley Stiles Public Library, 120 North Virginia Ave, Falls Church, Virginia. Sponsored by Bards Alley Bookshop, in conversation with author KT Nguyen.
November 14
Rappahannock Writers Conference, Germanna Community College, Fredericksburg, Virginia. Details coming.
As always, thanks for your kind indulgence! Your support! Your good thoughts!
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