​It seems so long ago that my first book, “Did You Come Home for Lunch?” came out in print in 2021 but was in work in 2020 for nine months. This book is a military story that inspired my writing journey. I never thought I would get past book one. Then, the journey began.
 
In August 2022, I was invited by my publisher to have my book on display with my publishing company, Archway Publishing booth at the San Diego Festival of Books held at San Diego Festival of Books. I was not in person at this event. Over 8,000 people visited this festival.

In 2023, Archway Publishing invited me to their conference in Times Square in Manhattan, New York City where over 200 authors were there from age 9-90 years old from the U.S. and other countries. My book, “Did You Come Home for Lunch?”  was on display at the table of books. During the conference, I learned from the many sessions from Simon Schuster from their different departments from editing, marketing, and publishing. This conference really enlightened me and was great for my self-publishing journey.

​I had never been to Times Square. It was a fun time in Times Square but since the conference assumed most of my time, I was at least able to meet my cousin after the conference was over. I met him at Grand Central Station so we could get on a train to travel to his house outside New York City. I enjoyed staying overnight and visiting with my cousin who I had not seen for a long time.

In 2024, my book, “Did You Come Home for Lunch?” will be on display at the Miami Book Fair November 17-24th   (www.miamibookfair.com )  with my publisher Archway Publishing. I will not be in person, but my book will be on display and available for book fair attendees to purchase if they would like.
 
From one book to eleven books with additional stories in two anthologies presently, my journey has been fun, challenging, and full of passion and joy. Book 11 is almost ready for the world to be released to the public hopefully this month, so I am excited to see my book in print.
 
 My next journey is to get out book 12 that has been in the hopper for a while just waiting to be published. This book will be a fourth and fifth grade book. I just need to coordinate with my illustrator this year so I can hopefully publish it in January.

I like to mix up my books in elementary as much as possible, so each grade and child has options. This also helps the teachers at the schools and daycares when I read to the different age levels.
 
 You will probably tell me to “keep those stories coming.” Full steam ahead! I hope to have more exciting books coming out    in 2025. So, be sure to follow me on this website and on Amazon.

It was an eventful day driving to Ponca City Brace Books which was about a two-hour trip north to the top of the state of Oklahoma on I-35. Brace Books was located next to a clinic. It had a great smell and a very homey feeling. This is why it is called Brace Books and More because the store has more than just books. Brace Books has a wonderful and friendly staff attending to your needs to make you feel welcome.
 
  I was like a kid in the candy shop with so much to look at and had lots of stuff I really wanted. I could spend all day in this store with all the books, games, coffee, coffee bar, and cool kids stuff. Deep down, I am still a “kid at heart.” Maybe, this is why I am a children’s book author.
 
I was told to expect maybe just 0-2 years old, so I was highly surprised when various ages of older children came to the event. One little girl’s grandmother came up to me and bought a book before the event. Grandma wanted me and the girl to take a picture, but I knew the girl was shy, so I said, “how about trying to have her take a picture with my book cover (20 x 30 posterboard cover of my book)”. Grandma thought that was a clever idea. I called her the mother which she really appreciated the compliment. I signed the girl’s book with the words “Dream Big.”
 
The girl then joined the other children that began to come into the store for their craft time, snack time, and reading time with me. I was reading my book, “Nicoli Picoli!” So, I got to read to about 10-15 children and their parents. Of course, I had to wear my pickle hat. Before I began to read and share about myself, I asked everyone attending if they liked sweet pickles, sour pickles, or both. Everyone raised their hands for their choice.

It was a wonderful day to be reading to children in a different community and to be a children’s book author. I am incredibly grateful for Brace Books, Ponca City News, and my social media coordinator for putting the word out. We all make a wonderful team. 

This upcoming week, I am off to read to a daycare in another city. Wish me luck!

This week, I switched gears as an author. I participated in the Oklahoma Highland Gathering in Choctaw, Oklahoma on 11th and 12th October at Choctaw Creek Park put on by the United Scottish Clans of Oklahoma (https://unitedscotsok.com/) . I am an Oklahoma Commissioner for Clan MacRae of North America who is responsible for participating as the clan representative at an annual event in Oklahoma.

 People attending the event would come to the booth to learn if they are related to the MacRae’s by looking at the many different septs that fall up underneath the MacRae Clan. I would be responsible for filling the visitors in on Scottish history of the Clan MacRae. In addition, I passed out applications for membership into the MacRae Clan Society of North America (https://www.macrae.org/). Some visitors coming to the clan tent were also invited to march with the clan during ceremonies that were being held at the Highland Festival. These events included an all-clans gathering for a Friday night fire lighting ceremony and a Saturday opening of the Highland Festival with all the clans marching into the athletic field behind the Scottish Military Band with bagpipe players and drummers.

​ The event  had athletic competitions, vendors, demonstrations, clan tents, animals, birds, and activities for the children. The Clan MacRae has a castle in Scotland called, the “Eilean Donan Castle” (https://www.clanmacraescot.org/ ).
 
Many movies have been made at the castle such as Highlander, The World is Not Enough, Made of Honor, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Kuch Kuch Hota  Hai,  Bonnie Prince Charlie, The Master of Ballantrae, and   Prince Valiant.

​I am now preparing for the upcoming book signing event in Ponca City this weekend. I noticed I was in Ponca City, OK news. This bookstore was one of the independent bookstores that reported in March 2024 that “Nicoli Picoli” was in the Top 10 Best Sellers in Children’s Fiction. I am looking forward to Reading Time and setting up a book signing table.

​This week I attended the craft fair in Wellston, Oklahoma held at the Assembly of God Church. The day started out good except I had to leave early due to sickness . However, the craft fair was a success. I enjoyed visiting with all the great customers. Many children were in attendance at the craft fair with their parents just enjoying the fun day. Children make you feel young again with their great smiles. It was also good to see parents coming to the table telling me how their child really loves reading . I was so happy to hear this since reading is so important. It was good to hear that many children were going to the library and reading at home . Some parents were even reading at home with their children. To be better in reading, one has to practice just like you would riding a bike or any new adventure.
 
I have heard it said many times, “Practice makes Perfect”. I agree with this statement. I will endeavor to make it my mission to encourage literacy .
 
On to take a break from book events to switching roles as an Oklahoma Commissioner hosting a booth for the Clan McRae  for the upcoming Oklahoma Highland Festival at Choctaw Creek Park in Choctaw, Oklahoma October 11-13th. This is always a fun and interactive event with lots of vendors, athletic events, celebrations, clan events, and much much more for adults and children to participate in.
 
Next event on my agenda after that weekend is going to Brace Books in Ponca City , Oklahoma October 19th, 2024 for reading to children and a book signing table. This was one of the stores selling “Nicoli Picoli” that was in the Top 10 Children’s Fiction Book with lots of sells in March 2024 as reported to Tulsa World  by this store and other independent bookstores in Oklahoma.
 
Stay tuned for Book 11 which will be released this month.