Since I write about animals, or rather, people who can turn into animals, I thought it was absolutely necessary and required that I take myself to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park on a recent visit to sunny California. Fun fact, rhinos can easily hide among rocks! Who'd a thought? How many can you count in that photo, and are you sure?

My fans and friends know that one of my favorite things about Colorado is live wildlife sightings, whether it's on my drive into the mountains or in my own backyard there. It is such a thrill to see them in their natural habitats, which can make most zoos problematic. Not so with the Safari Park. Word of advice, wear good walking shoes. If you are lucky enough to go there, you will marvel at the size and arrangements of the different habitats. One disadvantage is that there's more space for the animals to hide from you! 

Now, while I have resumed work on book 3, I had a thought about zoos. What if a Netah was accidentally caught and taken to a zoo? Would they survive with the actual animals? If they transformed into humans, would they become dinner? How could they escape? I would love to explore this situation, but will not do so right now, because I don't want to get distracted from the progress I made today. I managed to edit the first four chapters and add new scenes and moments. I then turned to my outline and fleshed that out. Having made a false start a year ago, I realized I still had some good material in the original and figured out where it could be used in the new version. That feels like progress. The zoo situation feels like a short story. I could make it a bonus piece, or submit it. Stay tuned. 

​Thanks for reading!

I'd like to acknowledge my new CPO (chief promotions officer) who has made it her practice, when sitting at her favorite diner, to place copies of the two books in my Netah series on the corner of her table, and then handing out table cards to anyone who pauses for a look. Her favorite diner is the Towson Diner on York road, if you happen to be in the neighborhood.  

I just placed a new order for these cards for my own use at Vista Print. I have already managed to talk my local salon, several restaurants, and some gift shops into placing these on their counters for customers to take. I also had them on hand at my bookstore appearances. Talk about an easy way to reach neighbors and visitors to my area. Now my reach is extended to Baltimore!

So, how to extend my reach elsewhere? If any of you kind readers have ideas, please email me at [email protected].

On a different note, my wrist is healed, typing is easier, and I'm back in business working on book 3. Some exciting things are already happening to Josh at the summer games, especially when it comes to attention from some female Netahs. The summer games include things like racing and dancing. Try to picture a meadow filled with elk spaced out evenly from each other while they practice their new line dance routine! Yes, that happens. 

To my skier friends, enjoy the snow while we still have it! Stay warm. 

Thanks for reading.

I missed a month of posting because of this! Right hand fingers are a little more mobile now, so here goes nothing...

I mentioned the SCBWI bookshop promo and my appearance at Bookies bookstore in my last post. Today I want to say thank you to the folks who arranged the Bookies event for 35+ local Colorado children's authors, and to those who came to visit. If you missed it, but you still need holiday gifts, I highly recommend their new location for its space and cozy vibe, not to mention their support of us locals.

I remember from before I became an author, the thrill of meeting book authors in person. It was as close as I got to a celebrity. From the other side of the table, celebrity is the last thing on my mind. It's all about the readers. The most fun  part of events like that is meeting readers, chatting, and especially seeing their eyes widen when I give them my elevator pitch. That's the one or two sentences I recite that sum up my books. 

Don't get me wrong, this was no lining up for hours, the line going around the block, for a chance to get the latest Harry Potter book. Instead it was tables spread out around the store, each shared by two authors, waiting to meet and chat with anyone who wandered by. Opportunities like that are rare for authors. The low key, no pressure set up meant everyone was relaxed. How fun it was to discuss the state of YA publishing with a fellow writer who came to shop, who happened to be an editor and writer herself! These were my grateful Thanksgiving thoughts, which I couldn't share in November.

With my wrist in a removable brace, and finger movement improving daily, I am not looking forward to the holidays as I usually do. No baking or knitting for me for a while. I'm trying not to feel sorry for myself, because I did get to help decorate a tree with two of my favorite little boys, and I will have family surrounding me for the next few weeks. I am one of the lucky ones. I hope you find yourself in a good place, good frame of mind, and good health. Happy Holidays!

Do snow days signal to you that it's a good time to curl up with a cup of cocoa and a good book? They do to me, unless I'm in the mountains and the ski resorts are open! I know I may be a little obsessed with skiing, but it's not for everyone. If you found this blog, you are probably a reader like me. 

Today is as good a day as any to get a jump on your holiday gift shopping. If you are in the Denver area, come join me and 35+ other local authors at Bookies, 2085 S. Holly Street from 10 am to 2 pm. Meet the authors, get your gift books signed, find a good snow day read or three. This is a Society of Book Writers and Illustrators event sponsored by Bookies, and you will find this year's picture, middle grade and young adult books all in one place. 

​See you there!