I love book clubs and have been a member of one myself. I would love to come and visit your book club either virtually or physically (in the Sacramento/Foothills area).
Connect with me through Novel Network:
All book club scheduling is done via Novel Network. This is a free service that arranges a 30-minute online visit either by FaceTime, Skype, or phone. The visit is free and so is your membership. There is, however, a small fee for longer, one-hour online and/or in-person visits. Please click here to sign up for your Novel Network membership and to request an in-person or online visit to your book club.
Countdown is on for my book launch — August 8, in Grass Valley, 6-8 pm, at the UUCM: Unitarian Universalist Community of the Mountains. I’m ordering cake! I’m placing ads!
You like cake, don’t you?
We’ve been collecting reviews, including this starred review:
Tracey does a masterful job in this novel, developing Martha as a relatable narrator; readers will find that their spirits rise and fall with hers. For the most part, her life in the city is almost too wrenching to witness. The most painful aspect of the story, wonderfully handled by Tracey, is its depiction of the casual cruelty of the righteous folk who think they should be thanked as they break families apart. This novel is based on members of the author’s own family; baby Homer became William Lozier Gaston, who’s Tracey’s great-great grandfather.
An often painful but uplifting novel by a writer at the top of her game.
Planning the book tour, writing essays and blog posts, and the like–it’s the kind of zany fun part of getting published. It’s midsummer, and ideally I’d be sitting out in the hammock with a book or a notepad. But not this year. Why, you ask? A couple of reasons.
Weird weather– it was chilly for most of June for some reason (cough–climate change–cough!)
I’m doing some research that involves reading old family letters and they would blow around outside.
We have a ton of ants and mosquitos this year, probably because of high rain and snowpacks over the winter. Too many bugs– on and near the hammock.
I must admit it — I have a small case of breast cancer. I was diagnosed in March after a wonky mammogram, had lumpectomy surgery in May, and have been undergoing radiation treatment over the past few weeks. Two more weeks to go, and I will be super radiated and ready to launch. My diagnosis was early, and it’s a Stage 1A, one breast, and they have high hopes for 100% cure. So my fingers are crossed as much as anyone can cross them. I haven’t posted about this on social media but it’s true. I was planning to post *after* I finish radiation. As in, fait accompli. So far, so good.
So bear with me as I go squiggly with book release excitement. Know that I am finishing up revisions on my historical novel slated for next fall release through Sibylline, and the letters? Research for the next novel, also historical fiction based on my an-sisters, as I like to call them. Won’t this look good on a cake?
Sept. 17, 6 p.m. Alameda Reads (Adult Literacy graduates) at Books, Inc. Alameda.
North Coast Redwood Writers’ Conference
Sept. 18-20: Annual Conference: Reading + two workshops (Social Media for Dummies/Why You Need a Platform; Creative Non-Fiction for Writers: Writing Essays and Reviews)
Feb. 26: Alameda Read & Wine Club — February Book Club Meeting: Thursday, 7:30pm @ Wine & Waffles on Park Street, Alameda. Free (purchase food/drinks). Discussing Veronika Layne Gets the Scoop.
Feb. 27: Girls Inc. of the Island City: Blogging seminar with teen girls.
Feb. 28: Booktropia Northern California gathering of authors. Sacramento, noon.
March is Women’s History Month: Available to speak about The Doris Diaries any time
March 20: Release of Tongues of Angels (Booktrope). Watch for details online.
March 21: Alameda Museum Board of Directors Installation. Reading Alameda Poetry #PoetLaureate Noon-2 p.m.
March 25: Alameda Main Library. Poetry Film Series. 6-8 p.m. Free. Film: Dead Poets Society. Rated PG; suitable for middle school and up. 1550 Oak St. Alameda
March 26: Women’s History Month reading at Perch, Oakland. Contemporary fiction and feminism. Featuring Alex Langford, Judy Juanita and Julia Park Tracey. 6-8 p.m. 440 Grand Ave. Oakland. Free/cafe drinks available.
March 28: Pitch-o-Rama, Women’s National Book Association, San Francisco. Meet agents and editors; pitch your book ideas to them. Free coaching ahead of time. (I’m one of the coaches.) 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; 3543 18th Street, SF. $65/$75 prepaid; $90 walk-ins if space available.
Who is Veronika Layne? She’s a sassy, tattooed, twenty-something newspaper reporter living and working at an independent community paper in a small city near San Francisco Bay. Never saw herself working for “the Man.” When her small weekly is swallowed up by Singh Media Group, that’s exactly where she ends up, though. Stuck writing fluff pieces that might as well be ads, how can she resist digging into rumors that a real estate developer is destroying native burial grounds? Warned away at every turn by her editor, she worries whether the story will see the light of day? And, dazzled by her sexy rival-turned-coworker, Ivan, what is she going to do about her love life?
“Brilliant imagery, sharp wit, and an entertaining voice had me whizzing through this sexy-fun story. A light read woven with enough depth and juicy suspense to keep the reader on edge, Veronika delivers what it promises and more.” — Christina Mercer, award-winning author of The Honey Queen, Arrow of the Mist and Arms of Anu
Get Veronika Layne Gets the Scoop at Amazon *now* and join me for the online launch party November 12. Join the online release party and you could win some fabu prizes! Contests are rolling now, so don’t wait for release day to check it out. Take advantage now by clicking here to join the party and watch for contests.
And just how does that work? On the day in question (November 12), between the hours of noon and 5 pm, visit the online party (it’s listed as an event on my author page) and there will be questions, contests, and prizes to win. Books, Amazon gift cards, Starbucks gift cards, ice cream. Did I mention ice cream? It’s a party, my friends. There must be ice cream!
When you finish reading Veronika Layne Gets the Scoop, will you do me a huge favor and go to Amazon and GoodReads and leave a rating and a review? It helps more than you can imagine. Thank you so much for your love and support.
Want more — no fear! Veronika has more assignments and stories to chase and investigate. There could be more handsome men, buried treasure, skeletons in the closet…who knows? Will she find true love? Find out in #2 of the Hot Off the Press series, Veronika Layne Stops the Presses, spring 2015!
