Dear ,

May was a busy month. I had a book launch, attended an in-person convention, and water up to my big toe...in my basement.

If I Should Die, the Fellowship Dystopia, Book Two launched despite many trials and tribulations. Was it successful? For an unknown author with too long between books one and Two, it did okay. Personal circumstances made this a very difficult book to write and publish. The biggest success is that I did it. And I celebrate that.

If you haven't gotten your copy, buy it now.

I went to my first in-person science fiction convention in three years. I checked into the hotel later than I’d planned. The parking lot I’d planned to use had a sign up saying no hotel parking. SIGH. There’s no other free parking nearby. I park there anyway and keep my fingers crossed.

The first night we all sat around looking at each other in awkward silence. Finally, someone admitted what we all were thinking. “This feels weird, like I don’t know what to say or how to act around people anymore.” Well, that broke the ice. Quiet conversations started. Soon conversations grew more animated, normal.

The panels I was on were interesting and we had decent attendance and audience engagement. I had my books on display, but I’d forgotten so many things about selling my books at a con. It started coming back to me… on Sunday. I walked a lot, sold a few books, and I made a new friend.

After the con, I had my one day of rest as I’d planned, but then…

Rain.

And more rain.

I went to the basement to plan which area would be best for my temporary office and stepped into one to one and a half inches of cold water. UGH. The sump pump stopped working. 

Fortunately, the rain stopped for a few hours. I found and bought a new sump pump and wet-dry vacuum. More, my superheroes (my son and grandson) came and installed the new pump and vacuumed up 95% of the water.

And of course, I forgot to take pictures of the standing water, but here's the aftermath. (No, the water didn't get THAT high. The box wicked up the water.)

Or trying to work on. This is my temporary office. Smack right there in my living room/ dining room space. Unused to being in the front half of the house, the comings and goings of my neighbors, every delivery person, and the trash trucks distract me. This will be a thing of the past. I’ll be moving to the basement by the end of the month.

During the convention, a random conversation about strange places I’ve visited gave me a lightbulb moment. I’ve some research to do, but I think I’ve discovered the setting for book three. The next three months will be research and planning while also moving every single thing out of my living spaces into the basement and garage so my floors can be redone. Bet I excavate interesting things during this period of transition.

For me, it’s all work. I need some vicarious summer fun. What are you up to this summer? Please hit reply and share your fun activities and projects.

Until next time,

Happy Reading, Rebels!