…but whether about retirement or the writers’ life, I’m not certain.
I.
When I was a kid, I used to tease my grandfather for wearing plaid pants together with a striped shirt. He was of the generation of old people that dressed more formally – he still wore a fedora to go out in the early ‘70s – so even just around the house he’d wear slacks and a button down shirt, but if he wasn’t going anywhere he didn’t worry which slacks and shirt he’d picked to wear together.
Last night we ate outside on the deck as we often do; it’s chilly this time of year, but comfortable enough with warm clothes and a propane heater, and we get to watch the sunset. I was wearing a lightweight loose sweater and leggings, so I added one of my fleece-lined flannel shirts. (They are snuggly and our house is chilly, so I love them and have several. ) I grabbed it in a hurry when dinner was ready and didn’t realize exactly what I was wearing until bedtime when I went to get undressed.
So, this is for you, Grandpop Lou.
II.
These are my fingernails this morning. It’s a magnetic polish I bought for Halloween; you get blobs of purple or iridescent green depending where you place a magnet when the polish is wet. I put I on three or four ago to experiment.
Nail polish never lasts me that long! It’s not because I do less with my hands in retirement. I was working at a desk job; if anything I’m typing more now that I’m working on a novel. I think it’s because I’m not bored; I used to pick at my polish as soon as I noticed the least imperfection. It’s easier to ignore them now.
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A Plan – and some book recommendations
I think I have a Plan. It could even be called a Cunning Plan, as it dovetails the publication of Percival 3 (or as I like to call it, George III, the Mad One) nicely with some upcoming travel plans. However, it has one risk factor: it depends…
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What do authors do after a book release?
Other than drinking champagne, of course. A Heart in Percival was released on March 20 on Amazon, but I’m still working on getting it published on Ingram, so that indie bookstores and libraries who don’t like to buy on Amazon can get it there. (I’m currently waiting for…
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Shortly before release day
I am officially past the point when I can change or edit my book before Amazon publication now – or at least, I am for the paperback and will be for the e-book at midnight. The Library of Congress Control number came through just a couple days ago,…
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State of the Author, early March 2026
Almost everything is done for Book 2 (The Heart of Percival, but my working file is still called “George II”. ) All the text has been edited, beta-read, re-edited, professionally edited – twice – and rechecked one final time, and it’s all been uploaded to Amazon. I would…
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Free: First Chapter of The Heart of Percival
Or scroll down if you prefer to read inline Chapter One: Adjustments It was a really good party. This was the first one I’d thrown in years, so that was a relief. It was good enough that most people stayed until after midnight. (And when you’re past forty,…
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About Release Dates
One of the big differences between traditional and self-publishing is around release dates. When you’re working with a big publisher, they choose the release date and it depends on a lot of things including marketing and their other planned releases. As a result, there’s typically a long wait…
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Quick update (Status of the Author, Feb 2026)
I’m still well on track for releasing The Heart of Percival by the middle of March (though Amazon shows a later date – that’s for safety since they let you pull dates in but not push them out. I’ve incorporated all of the editor’s feedback, and now I’m…
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Books about stuff
Book 3, as yet untitled, is cruising along – well over 11,000 words! We’re heading out next week for a road trip, no idea how much I’ll get done on travel but I am taking my laptop. Meanwhile, the books I’ve been reading are making unexpected links in…
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Status of the Author, December 2025
November felt like I was drowning in travel plans – first we had a couple trips for regattas, then a trip to CA to see family with a quick visit to Ted’s parents on the way way, another visit to his parents for Thanksgiving, and then I had…
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My first reading!
Wednesday night I had my first reading as an author! When I published my first book, the publisher flew me out to Rhode Island to seek to a group of CEOs there that bring authors out every month. I’ve also presented on my book’s topics within companies I…