Launch week whirlwind w/cupcakes & tears

Dear friends,

This is gonna be a blubbering thank you newsletter! I don’t know how to put into words what your posts, emails, texts, and well wishes have meant to me for the launch of The Blue Dress. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I also wanted to share a bunch of super cool stuff that happened last week. My book came out Tuesday, along with this piece in HuffPost. It’s got a harsh title, “My Mom Claims I Wrote A ‘Revenge Book’ About Her. She’s Not Entirely Wrong,” but it’s a deeply personal and loving piece, and one of my favorite essays.

Then on Thursday, my sweet friend Julie and her husband, Homi, threw me a party where I was on the verge of tears the entire night as I celebrated with friends.

Then on Friday, the amazing publishing and writing teacher Allison K Williams, hosted my zoom book launch (Thank you, Allison!!!! You’re the BEST!). It was awesome to celebrate with writing friends who’ve been with me so long as I worked to get this book out into the world.

Then on Saturday, something I couldn’t have even imagined in my wildest dreams a few years ago…I did a signing of my debut novel at Barnes & Noble.

Then this! It’s still so surreal to see my book sitting on the table up front at Barnes & Noble!!!! What is happening?!

If you missed the stuff last week, here are a few things coming up in case you can join, share, or participate in. :)

April 3, I’m doing a drawing of this Persian-inspired giveaway on Friday!!!! To be in the drawing take a pic w/my book, The Blue Dress, in the real world, post it & tag me. I’ll put everyone’s name on a piece of paper, put it in a bowl & pull one out old-school!

April 10, I have an essay coming out w/Oldster about self-image and having confidence in yourself even if the mirror says something different. It’s a deeply personal essay about my own doubts and fears, and how I still fight every day to live the life I want.

April 20, I’m speaking on a panel at the American Society of Journalist and Authors virtual conference at 12:30 pm-1:20 pm about finding meaning and success as a writer without having to rely on a big social media platform with Jane Friedman, Darien Gee, Tonya Todd and Allison K Williams.

April 23, I’ll be on the CBS morning show, Good Day Washington!!!! Holy cow, I’m nervous about this. It’s going to be LIVE at 3:00 pm EST.

April 25, I’m doing an author talk at Book Nook, a kids bookstore in Arlington, at 5pm.

April 26, I’m doing a live interview/podcast at Elaine’s Literary Salon in Alexandria, VA. It’s a great restaurant so if you’re in the area, come have lunch and see me pour my heart out about the book.

Here are some things that I’ve loved! :)

This interview with Viola Davis about her new book is gorgeous. I'm in absolute awe of her. You will love it, especially if you're a writer, actor, artist, or any kind of creative person that wants to be seen or make something that makes others feel seen.

Check out this powerful piece by Diana Foutz Daniele about how we find the words for things that have happened in our past that are so hard our brains have erased a lot of it. Thank you for sharing your story with us, Diana!

This important piece by Gila Pfeffer and Jess Zucker about those of us that can’t take HRT, whether because of cancer or blood clots. This is so much more prevalent than the current menopause community talks about.

I love this piece by Ellen Goldberg in Oldster Magazine!!!! It’s funny, heartwarming, and super interesting. Thank you for sharing your fantastic story, humor and creativity with us, Ellen, and Sari Botton for publishing it!!! Yes to using our creativity to heal, care and find joy for ourselves and others.

This is such a beautiful and powerful piece in Oprah Daily about aging by Rebecca Gummere. Thank you for sharing your story with us, Rebecca.