Late Bloomer Gets Published. World Comes to an End.

Incredibly, you will read nothing about therapy, dysfunctional families and bad childhoods in this post.  Imagine that! You click over to my url and, surprise! Not only have I published a blog entry for the second time this week, said entry will be free of existential dread and struggle.  We'll save the usual sturm und drang for another time because today is a special day, a red letter day, a happy day.

You wonder, what's going on? Why is GraceD so uncharacteristically upbeat and who put on that damn Kool and the Gang song that's always played at weddings and professional sports playoff victories?

Well, I just want to 'Celebrate' because this hot-flashing baby boomer, this Grandma Moses-like late bloomer, this writer/blogger/mother can officially announce that her ultimate fantasy has been realized: I am included in an anthology that will be on sale at a bookstore near you!

Behold, our book - celebrate good times, come on!

 

I have a story in this anthology that Roxanne Cooper told me a long time ago would be suitable for publishing.  To Rox, I thank you for saying such a nice thing.  I'm proud to tell you that I met your challenge and with this accomplishment, custom dictates that you owe me a round, if not two or three, of salty rimmed, over ice (not blended)  Austin Texas style Margaritas the next time we meet.

I am also indebted-for-life to "my Jenny" (drawled worshipfully in a kinda lame but nonetheless heartfelt imitation of Forest Gump).  Jenny Lauck, she of Three Kid Circus blogging fame and renown, suggested to editor, writer, agent and all around wonder woman Rita Arens that I may have some material for this project.  Ever the professional, Rita gave my submission a thorough shakedown, editing out pictures of my dog and the obscure references that are usual fare on my blog posts.  She was able to format my little tale of yelling at Molly then desperately wanting to escape to a Menopausal Hut into a short story.  For this, not only am I indebted-for-life to Rita as well, but I will handing over my only born, the aforementioned Molly, to the Arens household.  Rita, you're getting a deal - Molly is just a year and half away before she's 18 and kicked out of the nest to the cold, cruel world.  Thus, you have escaped Molly's middle school years and toddlerhood. A bargain, I'm telling you.

There are parent blogging superstars in this anthology, and the Table of Contents is not unlike the roster for an amazing music festival where I am an opening band (like, dare I say it, Feist?) to Radiohead-quality rock star writers of these beloved blogs:

Amalah
Binkytown
Birdie's New Mexico Time Machine
CityMama
Finslippy
Friday Playdate
Fussy
IzzyMom
Laid-Off Dad
Mom-101
Mommy Needs Coffee
Mommytrack'd
Motherhood Uncensored
Not Calm (dot com)
Paper Napkin
Rancid Raves
Surfette
Sweetney
The Modernity Ward
The Naked Ovary
Three Kid Circus
Woulda Coulda Shoulda

Adding to the glam and bling of being published, we will be doing book signings.  Be warned, someone responsible better monitor my activities at these book signings, lest I get all full of myself and sign off in the smart-ass way that David Sedaris autographs his books.  Our lovely Rita Arens, who is far more couth than David Sedaris or I could ever be, will kick off the "Sleep is for the Weak" book tour on May 17 at the Kansas City Literary Festival.  Book signings are confirmed for July 18 at BlogHer, August 29-30 at the Decatur Book Festival, September 4 at the Kansas City Barnes and Noble, and September 13 at The Full Circle in Oklahoma City. 

More "Sleep is for the Weak" events to be announced, including book signings in California where I will be on hand to conduct a bonus tequila shot drinking contest for parents of teens and/or toddlers.  Think I'm kidding? You'll have to show up to find out.

Those who need to get a jump on things can pre-order our book from Amazon, Barnes and Noble and indie book sellers, Booksense.  Official release will be September, 2008. 

I can barely stand it, dollins.

Love and blessings to all,
GraceD

 

Comments

[e]

well, congrats.

i could get behind a "sleep for a week" tour.

[carmen]

I love it. I've already ordered my copy.

You rock, Grace.

[Don]

I am in awe.

[Chantel]

Congratulations darling Grace. I can't wait to read it.

[Janeen]

Wahoo! That is just fabulous, dear Grace. Y'all must, must, MUST come to Seattle. Please? Congratulations!

[steph]

Congrats!

[Jo]

Wow, yay for you! That's wonderful and richly deserved, too.

[Bakerina]

Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Marie]

Whoooo! *big grin*

[Donna]

As you know, I am delighted for you and the other wonderful writers featured in this book. And if you come to LA to sign books and DON'T let me know so I can see you, you don't wanna know what'll happen to you.

[FlippyO]

Hey, congrats! Although, I'm disappointed that Malcolm has faced down the editor...and lost.

Speaking of Malcolm, I'm glad his surgery went well. As for losing his eyesight - we have a dog who has had very poor eyesight since we adopted her from the shelter, and lately it's gotten much worse. However, she's still very happy and she's learned to maneuver around really well (as long as nothing new gets in her way). At first, we thought she was just getting a bit dotty, until we figured out that her eyesight has finally gone. That's how well she's managed, that we didn't know that she wasn't seeing anymore. Malcolm will do just fine in the future, especially as well taken care of as he is/will always be.

[Janet]

Congrats, Grace!

[Crystal Clear]

Aloha my dear Grace. CONGRATS!! That is soo darn awesome you must be thinking about heading over to Hawaii to celebrate-no? If and when you do- you best say ALoha this time sistah!
Missed ya and thought about blogging again. Otherwise why am I paying typepad for a year?

[Joe Crawford]

Congratulations! (belated)