Gratitude

This past week has been a total whirlwind of amazing things, not least of them two launch parties for THE READER!
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Author Stacey Lee (OUTRUN THE MOON) was kind enough to emcee the party at Kepler’s Books–which topped 100 people!–and we had a great time talking cowboys and giant turtles in front of a crowd filled with family and friends. I was so lucky to have many of my fellow Sweet 16s debut authors show up to support me, some even driving in from Southern California or flying in from Utah! Later at my second launch, I received my very first piece of fan art!!! I also met for the very first time Amanda Hill, a friend and author from my Pitch Wars year, and she did an awesome job emceeing in front of a crowd–again that went over 100 people!–composed of my teachers, high school friends, and parents of high school friends.

​I also couldn’t help but gush over the incredible food and decorations. The banner featuring illustrations by Yohey Horishita was a showstopper, the flowers provided by Delicate Daisy House of Flowers in SF (the yellow/golden ones) were works of art, and the treats inspired by Sefia’s favorite dessert, Captain Reed’s meal with an old enemy, and even the symbol on the book itself, were incredibly delicious!

Truly, it was the most wonderful thing to see so many cousins and aunts and uncles and college friends and high school friends and teachers and work colleagues come out to party. Over the course of the past week, I have been struck again and again by just how amazing my friends and family are. They are loving and supportive and encouraging, and the fact that they all showed up to celebrate with me has absolutely been the best part about the release of THE READER. I am so lucky and so grateful to know such phenomenal, giving people, and I could not be more grateful. <3 Thank you, thank you, thank you a million times. I am so honored to know you all.