Happy New Year! I can still say that. According to what Mom used to tell me, I have two weeks into the New Year before wishing happiness becomes passé. I don’t know where she learned her rule but I’ve always lived by it. So, Happy New Year! And in keeping with the traditions of a new year, I’m going to look back at 2016 and remind us both what a great year it was for me as an author.

Last year marked the first year that I could say I was more visible online than ever before. Here is a brief review of the year’s premium events:

Jan – Guest panelist on an Author/Publisher panel sponsored by local library

Feb – Attended Book ‘Em NC Conference as signing author and guest panelist

Mar – Interviewed twice with blog talk radio’s La Femme de Prose, part of Focus on Women Magazine

Apr – Guest author for Poetry and Pastry at the local library// Guest speaker and presenter at Robeson Community College’s Annual Poetry and Prose Awards

May – Featured author in the May/Jun issue of Focus on Women Magazine

**Decided to hire a Personal Author Assistant, Terri Wilson. Best decision ever. ***

Jul – Guest blogger on KerryAdrienne.com // guest at #carolinareads // on blog talk radio with La Femme de Prose

            Published new book, The Book of Now (nonfiction poetry)

Aug – Guest on Yvonne Mason’s Off The Chain podcast/radio show

            Held a Book Launch for The Book of Now in a local wine bar – sold lots of books

Sep – sponsored a hole during a local golf tournament (sold two books online from it)

interview appeared in Don Massenzio’s blog

Oct – Panelist at local library for National Indie Author Day

Nov – article published in Southern Writers Magazine on NaNoWriMo

            Published new book, Breaking the Glass Slipper (fictional memoir)

Dec – on the air with Off The Chain

Awards won in 2016

Global Ebook Bronze Award in Fiction for Midnight Assassin
Global Ebook Honorable Mention Award in Cover Design for Midnight Assassin

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Whew. That was a monumental year! Published two books, received awards, appeared in print magazines, online blogs, and on the radio several times! Something happened every month. I’m very proud of the year.

A quick reality check. Most successful authors would tell you that my year was just okay. Yup, successful authors find much more massive sales due to much more massive amounts of publicity. Makes you sigh, doesn’t it? It does for me.

In an effort to improve publicity and visibility online and in local areas, I started my own street team in May – Sherry’s Team Phoenix. Membership is small right now but I fully expect that to improve this year. (You can read about it via a link under Press, News and Events tab. We’d love to have you join us)

So let’s just take a moment to reflect. You should look back over your year too, and take note of the GOOD things you accomplished. This isn’t the moment to see failure or polish regret. This is the moment to say, “Good job, you made progress and worked hard.” Go ahead pat yourself on the back. Even if you only did one new thing, do it. It is one more thing than you had before and that’s progress!

All right, now I challenge us to do more this year. I have to confess I don’t have a major plan yet. I have two conferences upcoming and I hope to have two books this year (working on it).  I’m entering my two newest books in some awards. But I don’t have a publicity plan yet but I will. Time enough to say what I didn’t do or did incorrectly. For now, what a year 2016 was. And thank YOU for being such a huge part of it. My success is largely due to the support I get from you, the readers. I am grateful.

Good job on last year and Happy 2017! Let’s make this one our best yet, together. I’ll have links to the radio shows coming on the Press/Media page. Look there soon.

I’ll be back later this week to discuss jealousy. Did you know it could be good for you while being bad TO you? Get your green eyes ready for an eye opening revelation.

Until then, I remain Yours Between the Lines,
Sherry

Okay I’ll admit it. I’m excited and psyched. My new book of nonfiction poetry, The Book of Now, is now available for purchase! I’m so thrilled!

This book was a true labor of love, but also, an experience. I could not stem the tide of poetry that came out of me for about six months. If a person can hemorrhage verses, then I did. Morning, noon, middle of the night, it didn’t matter. The issues compelled me to write about them and the headlines drew out the emotions. Terrorist attacks, bigotry in politicians, friends of mine beaten by spouses and boyfriends, other friends batting over HB2NC and wondering if they will be attacked because they chose to pee in the “wrong” bathroom, natural monuments being destroyed out of stupidity. The toll on the people filled my heart and the poetry came unbidden. Much of it could never see the light of day but the rest is my offering in the new book.

Terrorism, Abuse, Politics and Nature — topics that include bigotry, racism, sexism, misogyny, xenophobia and domestic violence, as well as ecological destruction, international slavery, and immigration. A heavy variety of headlines and issues that will leave deep wounds and deeper scars.

I’m very proud of this new book. I hope you will give it a try. For now the print book is available and the ebook will soon follow (in about 2-3 weeks). This is my reflection of today’s world and the issues consuming it. Join me in recognizing them and working to change the future.

You can find the book here and soon there will be a direct link from the front page as well as inside the list of books. You will also be able to order it from B&N and other online retailers. It will be available in overseas distribution too.

Please raise a glass with me as I celebrate my newest creation! And if you do read it, please consider leaving me a review on Amazon and Goodreads. I would be very grateful for your comments and support.

I’LL BE ON THE RADIO! – Tune in to hear me discuss the new book and read a poem or two on Focus on Women Magazine’s blogtalk radio, La Femme de Prose, on July 26 at 7pm.  Here’s a link to listen live and you can call in with questions at 917-889-3894. Looking forward to chatting with you.

I remain yours between the lines,
Sherry

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****The following items will always appear to keep you posted on activities.*****

WIP (Works in Progress): –  Writer’s Workbook – Learning to Write Everyday – Beginners Volume

– first novel in the Evening Bower series, about vampires and other supernatural creatures
– fictional memoir – November 2016!
– four-part fairy story (part one complete)

On the Desk: (next reading): TBD

Off the Desk (book just finished): Flameout by Keri Arthur

Coming Soon:  Interview with new folks and more about upcoming projects. Plus meet my assistant (yes, you want details!)

Hello everyone! I’m proud to reveal the full cover of my upcoming release, The Book of Now. The expected release is the end of this month and will be in softback and ebook.

Love to hear your thoughts!

I’ll let you know when you can pick up your copy.

I remain yours between the lines,
Sherry

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****The following items will always appear to keep you posted on activities.*****

WIP (Works in Progress): –  Writer’s Workbook – Learning to Write Everyday – Beginners Volume

– first novel in the Evening Bower series, about vampires and other supernatural creatures
– fictional memoir – November 2016!
– four-part fairy story (part one complete)

On the Desk: (next reading): TBD

Off the Desk (book just finished):Ghost of a Potion – Heather Blake

Coming Soon:  Interview with new folks and more about upcoming projects. Plus meet my assistant (yes, you want details!)