Hello, 2024!

When I turned in the key to the university office that I had occupied for nearly three decades, I had no idea what my future may hold. I had an academic routine that one could count on. Now I had endless days to fill. I began with a plan. I wanted to finally write a novel. I had drafted one out in the last three summers as a professor, the only way I could carve out a little time to write what I wanted to write. I began seeking an agent, or publisher, or just someone to read what I had written. If I say it was hard, I have to say it loudly. IT WAS HARD.

There were times when I would walk around my house and look out the sliding glass doors and feel that maybe I should do something else with my time, something that would at least have me out in the community feeling as though I might be contributing something. I joined three board of directors being president of one and then I became executive director of a storytelling non-profit. I was busy, really busy.

The traveling ladies (Fran, Freda, Valerie and me) planned to travel during spring break last year. I was in charge of finding things for us to do. I googled and googled and read. That was when I saw an indie publishing house that was only interested in fiction books about the Irish. My book was a fiction book about the Irish. I did all that the website told me to do. The publisher emailed me and wanted to talk. We set a time. The conversation led to more conversations and a breakfast meeting. She gave me a contract. A lot has happened since then: more rewriting, more editing, a website—thank you Sydney Wakeford, a photo shoot—thank you Shannah Cahoe Montgomery, an editor in the northeast, and now discussions on the final details of the book. My first novel, Spancil Hill is to be published soon by Old Fort Press.

When I walked out the office door three years ago, I had no idea what my future may hold. As we close the door on 2023, we have no idea what the future may hold. I’m hoping for good things for all of us and saying out loud, “HELLO 2024.” In the meantime, save some time to read my book. Details of when it will be published (we are aiming for March) and how to get it will be on my website. Happy New Year.