Roadtripping with Your Ride-or-Dies.

“What is the best part of being a published author?”

I get this question a lot. Is it holding a physical copy of the book in my hands? Sharing it with family members? Seeing my novel in an airport bookstore or on my local library shelf? Bookstore events? Participating in book festivals or author panels? Signing books?

All of those have been wonderful experiences, of course! And thrilling beyond belief — mostly for the fact that I never thought they would happen. But my answer often surprises people.

Because for me, the best part of publishing has been reconnecting with friends from all over the country. People who live in California, Colorado and Texas, where my husband and I lived before coming home to Missouri. Others I’ve known who moved away from me. Friends that I used to walk to elementary school with or from my small rural K-8 school — go Panthers! — that I played softball and volleyball with (not to mention cheerleading and running cross country and track… because a class of twenty meant we all had to be multi-sport athletes, whether or not we were actually good at it!). High school buddies. Sorority sisters. College friends. Former co-workers. Writing group members. Parishioners from the churches we have called home. Moms’ groups. MFA mentors and colleagues.

Just… wow.

So many people that I know, adore and have shared adventures with; people I have truly missed having in my life once we no longer shared a school, a town, a city or state. People I kept meaning to look up or reach out to, but… life! As I said to so many old friends: “It would have been so much easier to pick up the phone or send a card or email rather than write an entire novel in order to see you!”

But apparently, that’s what it took. And it has been a delight.

Now that the official book tour for THE MOONSHINE WOMEN has come to a close, I have been reflecting on what made it so amazing. So many miles — and so many smiles — later, I am extremely grateful to old friends who fed, sheltered and entertained me. And to the independent bookstores and public libraries who welcomed me in and introduced me to their readers. I made so many new friends! From Belleville, IL to Belmont, NC; from Hot Springs, AR to Huntsville, AL and Washington, MO to Wichita, KS and so many places in-between.

But the true highlight for me was inviting a good friend (or group of friends) to roadtrip with me along the way! One conversation went something like this:

Obviously there are some practical reasons for wanting a traveling companion: taking photos at events and helping schlepp books and props. Plus keeping track of my stuff (I almost left my trademark hat on the first plane… good catch, Carly!). But the biggest help to me was with the driving. “Book tours” sound glamorous, but they typically involve logging lots of miles on the road. I’ve tried myriad ways to keep myself alert while behind the wheel (and not driving off a cliff!) — frozen Cokes, audio books, lavender lattes, Sour Apple Charms BlowPops, true crime radio — but there is nothing better or more pleasurable than chatting with a good friend to make the miles fly by.

But maybe the word “chatting” isn’t quite right. That makes it sound as though we just did some light conversing about non-serious topics — and I can assure you it was neither. Something about the safe enclosure of the car, a confessional on wheels, made it okay to share all sorts of things. Beloved books and writers, of course. Movies and shows we are streaming and loving. But also our worries and struggles: Parents and children; health and illness; sadness and pain. Beautifully balanced with lots of laughter and silliness, too. What a gift, to be able to both listen and truly hear; to be able to speak honestly and be understood, validated and supported. And challenged, in the best of ways.

Friends! There is no substitute for these genuine, smart and interesting women.

I came home from my travels exhausted. All the long miles (and the time I got pulled over by the highway patrol in South Carolina for not having my lights on… yikes!). Late nights. Erratic eating schedules. A bit of anxiety as I stepped into each different library, bookstore or special event, not always sure who would show up or what I’d be asked to do (spoiler: it was all amazing! From a backyard garden party to a big stage reading at a town founder’s day celebration — and everything in between).

But I was also very much re-energized by those heart-to-hearts, those real connections with special friends that made those weeks on the road not just bearable, but beautiful. And I’m still thinking about those conversations in the car, over wine and coffee, lunch and dinner, inside a hotel room or an art museum, or outside in nature.

Connections. They are the best part of being a published author. But I’d argue that they are the best part of being a human being, period. Thanks to all who braved the book tour with me. And everyone who cheered us on. It was a blast.

And now… go forth and travel with a friend! Or multiple friends. And your spouse or partner or sibling isn’t a bad choice, either. Sometimes road trips allow for talking and reconnecting with them, too. I’ve amassed a few tips for making your journey a fabulous one:

Happy roadtripping.

Wherever you find yourself this summer, I wish you the gift of good friends. A cupholder full of Sour Apple Blow Pops. And safe travels. Feel free to share your own road trip tips below. Until next time…

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What I’m reading:

• The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout. I’m a huge fan of this author, starting with her Olive Kitteridge books of connected stories. As a writer of small town characters myself, I adore her Maine town populated with quirky, interesting and introspective folks who loom large in some volumes and play bit parts in others. This new story only briefly references that place/those people and is set, instead, on the coast of Massachusetts. Artie Dam is a beloved high school teacher nearing retirement when he experiences a mid-life crisis that is a product of long-held secrets. We see into the silent suffering of his students, his colleagues and boss, his wife and son and other characters, all magnified by the upcoming 2024 Presidential election. An enjoyable, thought-provoking read… but didn’t love it as much as previous novels.

• The Mad Wife by Meagan Church. If I bought books solely for the cover (like I do wine!), I would have definitely picked this one up. LOVE it. And I’m happy to report that the story inside is compelling, too. Welcome to the 1950s world of Lulu Mayfield, a suburban wife known as the “Queen of Molded Gelatin Salads,” and a mother who is struggling with grief, worry about the mental health of a new neighbor, guilt over a childhood tragedy and the frustrating inability of the medical establishment — and her husband — to treat her symptoms seriously. Definitely a commentary on that age (not so long ago) of putting women’s issues down to “hysteria.”

• Brawler: Stories by Lauren Groff. Short stories were my original love and I so admire authors who can do them well. It is a challenge to put together enough strong stories to make a book, and Lauren Groff does it swimmingly in Brawler. I don’t think I will ever forget the final story — the novella, “What’s the Time, Mr. Wolf?” — about a young man in New England struggling with alcoholism and how to make his own place in the stifling wealthy family that has both created and rejected him. The way that story ends was unexpected, chilling and perfect.

Update on THE MOONSHINE WOMEN: Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone for an incredible book tour. I loved meeting so many old friends and new readers at libraries, bookstores, book festivals, community reads and other events across Midwest and South/Southeast. I am raising a glass of moonshine to all of you… and feeling so grateful for your love and support.

What I’m listening to:

• Railbird Festival, Lexington, KY. This was a first-time visit to this outdoor music festival. We only went one day and I think I can say that was plenty. Featuring three stages and some truly amazing bands — highlights for me were Mt. Joy, the Lumineers, Caamp, Watchhouse, Hazlett and The Wallflowers — it was an insane crowd. I’ve been to bigger festivals like Bourbon & Beyond in Louisville, but this one had less room and it was an absolute throng of people, practically standing room only for the last five or six hours. Our blanket we set out several hundred yards from the main stage to hold our spot while we checked out another act was completely lost in a sea of fans for Sam Barber (a new-to-me phenom, apparently!) when we returned. Crazy!

What I’m watching:

• Beef: Season 2, on Netflix. I only watched the first episode, but it set the stage for intrigue, for sure. A young couple employed by a huge country club/golf course enterprise witnesses a horrific fight between their boss and his wife (and the girl films it with her camera). Obviously a lot of socio-economic disparity and commentary on capitalism here. What I’m missing, though, is the heart-stopping car chases that captivated and horrified me from the first season. The verdict is still out on this one!

• Wimbledon, ESPN, ESPN2, The Tennis Channel & ABC. Starts on Monday and I can’t wait to see my faves — old and new — out on the pristine grass of The All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club in London. Carlos is out… and defending champ Jannik Sinner is the favorite. Iga Swiatek will be defending her first Wimbledon title, too. But after a chaotic clay slam at Roland Garros, my good money is on some new faces holding up the trophies!