Release of Book Two – Hope In The Holler

Whoo Hoo!

Book two is finally out in the world and I couldn’t be happier. Having a book done and out feels like this:

Y’all, I wasn’t sure this was ever going to happen. Having a contract for a book that you haven’t written yet is scary! I literally could not sleep at night.

What if I couldn’t finish? What if they hated it? It felt a little like this:

Only with a lot more stress-eating.

I used to google, “Writing the Second Novel”, to read what other authors had to say about the subject. They all basically said the same thing – yes, you can. Just get to writing.

Also, your first draft with stink.

They were right on all accounts!

If you’d like to read about Hope in the Holler and see a review, click on the Books tab. But I thought I’d share a few fun facts about the book.

10 Fun Things About Hope In The Holler

1. There really is a Convict Hollow road. I saw it in Virginia.
2. Boncil (Wavie’s middle name) was the name of one of my favorite people in the world, Katie Yarbrough.
3. I met a Ronelda (Wavie’s mom’s name) years ago when I was a little girl. Obviously, I forget nothing.
4. I have a peony bush, too. I transplanted it from my parent’s home in Tennessee.
5. You know how Gilbert is wearing a Dollywood shirt when he first meets Wavie? I actually met some kids in rural India wearing one. Blew me away.
6. Hope takes place in Kentucky and I moved there briefly in first grade. In a trailer. It was only for 6 weeks, but I think I can claim Kentucky as mine now.
7. I originally wanted Wavie’s mom to be alive and bad, but early readers wanted Wavie to end up back home. So I killed mom!
8. My sister has a coal train that runs through her backyard and it does cover everything in black dust.
9. Wavie likes Ale-8 and I do, too. It’s made in Kentucky and is yummy.
10. I started the book with the three kids already being best friends in Atlanta. Told you the 1st draft stunk.

I hope you’ll get a copy of the book. Let me know what you think about Wavie and the gang!

If you’re in the Georgia area, I’m having a book signing on January 13th at Foxtale Book Shoppe. I’d love to see you there. Or give them a call and order the book. I’ll sign it and they’ll ship directly to you!