Early Thanks

Hello friends,

Since my season of gratitude blew in several weeks early this year, I’d love the chance to tell its story, in words and pictures.

I’d been sitting on the news for some time. A behind-the-scenes bulk purchase had been arranged and Kim Bullock had received six heavy boxes of books in Dallas, where she packed them up and personally drove them to Santa Fe for the Writer Unboxed UnConference at the end of October. Meanwhile, friends attending the conference had been asking: would they be able to buy my new craft book at the conference, or should they buy one and bring it along so I could sign it?

I am a terrible actress and a worse liar. Luckily, I was able to concoct (and repeat) a careful sentence, all of which was true: “There will be a bookseller on site. I’m sure you’ll be able to get one.”

By the time the opening dinner finally arrived, I was ready to burst with excitement.

At the end of her announcements, Therese Walsh, Editorial Director at Writer Unboxed and the mastermind behind the UnConference, asked her husband to remove the tablecloth covering what was hidden on the table next to the podium—130 copies of my new book, Crafting Story Movement, in piles—and she was giving one to every attendee. Applause broke out and people craned their necks to find me, knowing I had to have been in on it. I tell you, it was one hell of a moment. I’m beyond grateful to Therese for offering me the incredible opportunity to get my new book in the hands of writers who will be able to put it to good use.

Happy recipients, from left: MK Meredith, Marianna Martin, Kimberly Curry.

Another question I had to deflect before the conference was, How should I purchase a copy, to best support you? Here, I can finally answer that truthfully: order it anywhere books are sold! If you love supporting independent brick & mortar bookstores but don’t have one nearby, consider ordering a paperback or hardcover copy through my local independent bookstore, The Doylestown Bookshop. If you request a signed copy, I’ll stop in and do that for you! If you already have a copy and would like a signed bookplate, just reply to this email with your address and personalization instructions and I’ll send that off to you. If you’re looking to own a digital copy, Amazon is currently the only option—but it is free there for a while longer if you’re a Kindle Unlimited member.

Over the past 20 years, I’ve grown to think of many of my clients as friends. It is an oddity of a remote developmental editor’s role, though, that I’ve gotten to know them only through the stories they’ve written and followup calls. So it was a rare pleasure for me to be able to meet and share a meal with two repeat editing clients at the Santa Fe conference: Leslie Rollins and Solveig Eggerz. (Yes, that’s me, in the same outfit, cramming in photos on the last day. When I’m fascinated—as I was every day of the conference, whether presenting or attending sessions or dining with other writers—I am present.)

From left: Leslie Rollins, me, Solveig Eggerz

On November 10, Xena, my son Marty’s pit bull mix rescue, turned 13. I’d like to tell you a bit about her life.

She has been a wonderful companion for my son Marty, as well as for me, his “grand bitch,” who provides temporary digs when Marty goes to band gigs or on rock climbing adventures.

Xena has summited several of the High Peaks in the Adirondacks

She does imitations.

And she’s been naughty in the most humorous ways, often while Marty tries to work.

She’s also made friends with everyone she’s ever met, adores delivery workers, and has driven our neighbors at the lake crazy while she—ahem—“protects us” from 4th of July explosions that some lakers insist must continue for an entire week.

But our dear girl’s days are numbered, as she has had degenerative myelopathy for more than a year and can no longer use her back legs. For a special birthday treat this year, I went down to Marty’s in Philadelphia and he strapped her into her custom-made wheelchair so we could take her for a walk in a nearby park.

Xena is more popular on social media than I am. To all who have loved her through the years, thank you. ❤️

When your kids are grown and leading vibrant lives of their own—and one of them lives in Paris and says he’ll be in the States mid-November for a vocal performance—celebration dates take on a necessary fluidity. When we found a date that worked for all of us, Thanksgiving came on November 15.

I was scheduled to teach my last Your Novel Year class that day, though, and knew I couldn’t pull off a turkey plus all the sides. First I broke the news to Mary and his girlfriend Karen. Poised with pen and paper, I asked, “What are your must-haves?” They looked at each other and answered at the same time. I noted their one-word answer. Later, on a Zoom with Jackson (his wife Béa would not be able to join us), I asked him about his must-haves, and he answered with the same word.

My Thanksgiving table, set with the only must-have. From the top, sans whipped cream: pumpkin, chocolate pudding, apple, banana cream, pumpkin with a gluten free crust, and a small apple with gf crust.

I decided to give them their heart’s desire. So, after some fun appetizers, we moved to the main course. Judging by these smiles, I think it went over well.

From near left: Marty, Karen, Dave, and Jackson. They were all enthused that there would be plenty of leftover breakfast pie.

Yes, Your Novel Year 2025 is a wrap. As Madame Morrible would say in Wicked, writing fiction is an act of braverism. Because of this, it’s always hard to say goodbye to the writers—now friends—who laid their nascent stories in my hands to read, discuss, guide, and nurture. The only way not to mourn each year’s loss is to look forward to the next year’s class. The application period for Your Novel Year 2026 is open! The first workshop will be held January 16.

I know that it can be hard to commit to a yearlong program. We live in precarious times. The change in our country is so rapid right now that we could read news all day long and never feel caught up. The resulting instability may even suggest that now might not be the right time to chase your novel-writing dreams. But if you are a writer at heart, consider this: a long-range, meaningful, consuming focus is one way to make productive use of your otherwise scattered brain.

And then… there’s always the chance that… I mean, what if the novel you write ends up being someone else’s hope? Their joy? Their salvation—or yours?

If you or know someone who might benefit from small-group support, immediately applicable craft workshops, social accountability, and expert feedback, I need 2-3 more writers to make a go of next year’s class. I’ve worked with everyone from people who are considering their first novel to agented writers drafting their fifth. You can read more at my website, in this brochure, or if you have questions, reply to this email and we can set up a call. I believe in this class so much. It’s exactly what I needed when I was starting out.

Thank you all for opening and reading this Substack, and a very special thanks to those who opted to support my work through a paid subscription. I see you, and I am so very lucky to have you in my life.

• The Whole Writer podcast: I had a lovely chat about my new book with the ever-gracious Nicole Meier, is herself an author and book coach. The link is to Spotify, but check out Episode 87 wherever you get your podcasts!

• On February 27 I’ll be giving a workshop, “Sparking Story Movement,” as part of the Doylestown (PA) Bookshop’s “Lit Lab” series. If you’re local enough to attend, I’d love to see you there! I’ll send more info as it becomes available.

• During the May 15–17 Pennwriters conference I’ll be in Lancaster, PA presenting a workshop, “That’s What She Thinks, about how perspective is an under appreciated driver of story. The keynote speaker this year is the talented horror writer (and the incorrigible blogger and apple reviewer at “Terrible Minds”) Chuck Wendig.

Whew! You made it through the update! 🏆 Thanks for sticking by my side.

With wishes for a lovely Thanksgiving—whenever you celebrate,

Kathryn