May 2023 - Restoration
As the lovely month of May begins, I'm struck by how many things are in the process of being restored.
The California landscape is a breathtaking example. The extreme rains all through winter have transformed the plains and mountainsides with painterly magic. As we drove, my husband and I saw segments of superblooms. In several locations California poppies sprang up in vivid array. As we hiked I rediscovered a hundred species of plants and flowers not seen for at least a decade. In the Central Coast, it was blustery, chilly, bright, and delicious. In Los Angeles, the gardens in my neighborhood exploded with color and vibrancy.
Where have all these plants been? Their seeds were held safe underground, patiently awaiting the return of water. Only then could they germinate, grow, and bloom.
What an intriguing metaphor this is! The seeds didn't need to be reinvented, imported, or even unearthed. They only needed to be watered.
What does water represent? One part faith and two parts patience? And what might be hiding within us, waiting to receive the water of inspiration and trust in ourselves?
Restoration:
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an act of a bringing back to a former position or condition
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a restoring to an unimpaired or improved condition
As we all continue to adjust and reinvent our post-pandemic lives, what might need tending so as to be restored to its rightful state of priority? Where can we rediscover our voice, reinstate our right to joy, replenish whatever seems to have diminished?
Whatever seems to need restoring in your life, I hope you feel the refreshing sense that inspiration is watering your soul! Happy May!
May Secrets Book Tea in Colorado
Many of you know I specialize in special tea events. This year, I'm creating a VERY special one. When my dear friend Judith Briles and I discovered we each were writing a new book with the word "secrets" in the title, we knew we had to celebrate together with our readers.
The "Secrets Book Tea" -- that's what I'm hosting at my Colorado Springs home on May 5th. We're looking forward to a wonderful time! For a last-minute invite, email me:
MaraPurl@aol.com.
May Secrets Book Brunch in Colorado
We couldn't resist arranging an event for our Denver followers too. And nothing beats a brunch by Judith! So join us for a "Secrets Book Brunch!"
We'll be sharing our "secrets," asking you about yours, and kicking off your journey into two intriguing reads!
For a last-minute invitation, email:Judith@Briles.com
April's Successful E-Book Launch!
Why Hearts Keep Secrets launched on April 13th--"No More Secrets Day"! Though there were some technical glitches on that first day, we made up for it by extending through Monday.
Why Hearts Keep Secrets made it to #1 on Amazon!
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#1 in Women's Sagas
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#1 in Saga Fiction
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#1 in Mystery Fiction!
My heartfelt thanks to all who participated!
Trading Places with Fellow Author Tammy Grace
Here's something fun that happened during my ebook launch. For about a day, my book was at #2 in Women's Sagas, with a new book by an author I know at #1. Then the following day, our books traded places, with mine at #1 and hers at #2.
I admire Tammy Grace tremendously, and I sent her a congratulatory email. She wrote back immediately, and we set up a time to brainstorm a shared event.
So . . . get ready for Tammy & Mara's Summer Reading Zoom Book Tour! We'll have three Book Stops, one each in June, July, and August. And we'll invite one more author to join us at each!
Giveaways . . . contests . . . small group conversations . . . these will be very special In-Your-Living room times of sharing and exploring, laughing sharing and just having fun with each other. We'll keep you posted!!
Successful Print Book Launch
For those of you who love a physical book---and the trend for printed books is UP these days---here it is, a beautiful trade paperback edition!
Many of you have been collecting my whole series, and you'll find this thicker-than-usual novel fits nicely on your shelf beside the others, while offering yet another of artist Mary Helsaple's gorgeous watercolors on the cover. Join me and fellow authors for these delightful events if you can!
As always, you may order your print edition from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and all booksellers:
Successful In-Person Launch Event!
It's a book! It's a play! It's a signing! It was all three! And it was a great success! The synergy, mutual support and merriment of putting this event together was a win-win-win . . . for authors, for audience, and for the wonderful bookstore. We're already making plans to create the next one in the fall!
Special thanks to our professional actors Ilona Stone and Charlie Perryess, who greatly enhanced our performances. Special thanks to Linda Wilson for her artistry in creating a spectacular charcuterie table! And special thanks to Dennis Eamon Young for his excellent photographs.
Do follow my wonderful fellow authors. We'll keep you posted!!
New Book, New Web Page
Everything you need to know about Why Hearts Keep Secrets can be found here, on the beautiful new web page at MaraPurl.com.
Most fun thing to watch? The book trailer video! It'll give you major hints without being a spoiler!
You'll find reviews, comments, links, and the video. Or go directly to my YouTube channel to watch it. Enjoy!
Special Hardcover Edition
The Milford-Haven Novels, Novellas, and Novelettes now include eleven books, all of which are available in ebook and softcover editions.
The core novels will ultimately number five, of which this new novel is the third. Only the books in this pentalogy are available in special hardcover editions. Remember these? Gorgeous, made to last, and works of art from inside to outside, these are available via special order.
The case binding is ocean-blue with silver spine lettering, the dust jacket is beautifully printed, and the trim size matches Novels #1 and #2---in case you're a collector. To arrange for your copy, please email Bellekeep@gmail.com. My publishing manager Tara Goff will give you all the details.
April Master Class at SLO Night Writers
I shared a wonderful evening with one of my very favorite groups is San Luis Obispo Night Writers. The long-established premiere writers' organization in the
We covered a lot of ground in our extended evening, and we're working now on scheduling a follow up.
Are you in the Central Coast? Are you a member? If not, consider joining this dynamic, supportive group of dedicated authors! Contact President Janice Konstantinidis.
Next in Milford-Haven
Yes, I'm working on Novel #4, Whose Hearts Align. There will be so much still left to find out! What happens with Meredith, Zack, Samantha, Jack, Sally and Tony?? It's about half written and in the chronology, follows immediately after Why Hearts Keep Secrets.
Remember Miranda's sister Meredith? Whip-smart and stunningly gorgeous, she's otherwise quite an opposite to Miranda: confrontive where her sister is shy, abrasive where her sibling is gentle, and fiercely determined to succeed at work and at love. And, of course, there's quite a bit more to the continuing story.
We're aiming for a launch date of September 29, 2023 -- World Heart Day. Excuse me, I better get back to writing!
New Genre New Book Form
The new genre is Cli-Fi. Heard of it yet? It's short for Climate Fiction (just as Sci-Fi is short for Science Fiction.) You could say it's a sub-set of SciFi because it wrangles with science.
Is it really new? Not to me. From the date when my radio drama Milford-Haven first hit the air on a tiny radio station in the small town of Cambria (1987) to the time it became a hit on BBC radio (1992), my show was always referred to as "The First Environmental Soap Opera." Key storylines involved a developer versus an environmental director in my fictional town, and my protagonist has always been an artist who paints wildlife, and therefore must spend time in nature, noticing its behavior and nuances.
It is often the job of good fiction to foresee what's likely to happen next. Just ask Margaret Atwood, Arthur C. Clark, and many others. When it comes to the issue of climate, at last, the world---and the world of fiction---is catching up.
Milford-Haven is taking a leap forward and doing some short-term prediction with the upcoming launch of a new form of book: the Novelline. What is it? A novel-novella with two special elements.
1 - Serial story-telling, which I've been inhabiting now for three decades.
2 - Linkages to the works of fellow authors. I'll be including fictional elements from other authors' books and series, creating an expanded tapestry for multiple participants.
I first introduced this concept in a guest post about shorter fiction on Anne R. Allen's wonderful blog in 2018. What fun to be developing it now! Though complex and challenging, this new form points to the inclusivity and synergy I encourage and support in fellow authors. And for our readers, it'll be a world of bonuses. Stay tuned!
With the Dreams in Milford-Haven
With the Dreams in Milford-Haven will be a "flash forward" that introduces the next-gen Milford-Haventies. My team and I are planning for this to be released on March 11, 2024 -- "World Dreams Day."
Since it's set in the near future, it has required some of my favorite and most engaging research, mostly centered on global warming and recycling issues. But while my characters, many of whom work in the sciences, wrangle with these to find solutions, they also wrestle with their own deepest desires. You'll meet Morgan Jones-Smith who . . . well, I better stop there. Spoiler Alert! I promise to keep you posted! One huge clue, though, is the cover, featuring another beautiful watercolor by Mary Helsaple. The view is from inside artist Miranda Jones' studio, looking toward a rainbow arcing across the property that . . . well, you'll hear about that in Novel #3 next month!
Update from Wales
Ta-da! Here's the front cover of our upcoming book! The result of our year-long literacy project in Wales, the book is currently being printed in Wales. This first run will be for the student-contributors, their families, the local community, and the Museum in Milford Haven, Wales, with whom I co-created the project. The text is being printed in two languages.
The cover, co-designed by Rebecca Finkel and me, features the title in both English and Welsh. Written entirely by our students from four local schools, the cover images were also student-created. The images and written segments represent distinct periods of local history, from the Iron Age to the Victorians, and into modern times.
Our students completed their segments about specific eras of local history. As I've worked through the editing process, I've been SO impressed with their creativity, research, and depth of insight into human nature, no matter the era.
I am thrilled and humbled to be able to work with our outstanding team, with school administrators and teachers, and with these promising students. I will keep you posted!
Upcoming Events
My 2023 Calendar at a glance:
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May 5 - Why Hearts Keep Secrets "Secrets Book Tea" joint event, Mara Purl & Judith Briles in Colorado Springs
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May 7 - Why Hearts Keep Secrets - "Secrets Book Brunch" joint event, Mara Purl & Judith Briles in Denver
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June 26 - Summer Read Zoom Book Tour Book Stop #1 with Mara Purl, Tammy Grace, & Rebecca Forster
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July 24 - Summer Read Zoom Book Tour Book Stop #1 with Mara Purl, Tammy Grace & Mystery Guest!
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July 25th - Christmas in July launch of Whose Angel Key Ring
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August 28 - Summer Read Zoom Book Tour Book Stop #3 with Mara Purl, Tammy Grace & Mystery Guest!
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September 16th - Colorado Authors Hall of Fame induction gala, Denver
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September 29th - Theatrical reading of "Becoming Julia Morgan", Cambria
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September 29th - Whose Hearts Align launch on "World Heart Day"
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October 8th- Milford-Haven Lighthouse Party celebration, Central Coast
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October 29th - Why Hearts Keep Secrets & With the Dreams in Milford-Haven - "Secrets & Dreams Book Tea", Los Angeles
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December - Where Xmas Marks the Spot book launch
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February 2024 - Publishing at Sea Cruise, Los Angeles to Mexico
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March 11th 2024 - With the Dreams in Milford-Haven book launch
CO Authors Hall of Fame Gala
Here's a special date to put on your September calendar: September 16th, the next Induction Ceremony at the Colorado Authors Hall of Fame.
We induct new members every other year, and this sparkling, inspiring evening is not to be missed!
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What - Induction Ceremony & Gala, Colorado Authors Hall of Fame
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When - Saturday, September 16th
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Where - Hilton Doubletree at Denver Tech Center
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Tickets (Link) - Registration coming soon
Publishing at Sea
Oh, what a fantastic program this is! The Publishing at Sea 2023 Cruise concluded its adventure in January in the Caribbean. Sound great? How about planning for next year?
The 2024 Cruise will be a different story. Quite different, actually, because it will be our first West Coast cruise! We will depart from my home city of Los Angeles, and cruise to the iconically beautiful ports of Mexico!
Aside from the fun, beauty, and relaxation of cruising, what is Publishing at Sea all about? Your breakthrough. For authors, publishers, illustrators, editors, and anyone involved in the creation and marketing of books, this is your opportunity to attend dynamic sessions, work one-on-one with experts, and create the book you've been dreaming of away from distractions. Ask anyone who has been on a previous cruise with us. It works!
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What: Publishing at Sea Cruise
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When February 2 - 9, 2024
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Where: Port of Los Angeles
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Ports of Call: Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, & Puerto Vallarta
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Reserve now: Judith@Briles.com or 303-885-2207
My Heart is Grateful . . .
. . . for a busy and productive April! Whew, it was a busy one! The Book launch of a new title is always something like a birth, requiring tremendous energy and focus, and providing great satisfaction, too. I'm so grateful for the on-line and the in-person aspects of the launch and send my thanks to each of you.
This was a rich time of momentous personal occasions: an engagement dinner for special friends; a memorial service for an awesome friend and author; a baby shower for my beloved god-daughter. Celebrating these chapters of life are so important and significant.
I'm grateful for the friends with whom I got to spend time in California. Oh, how you nurture my soul! For the walks and hikes, the coffees and breakfast meetings, the lingering on patios, the sharing of stories, the inspiration of insights over small dinner tables, I felt the watering of my spirit, and can feel many new thoughts blooming.
And I'm grateful to you, my readers and followers, who encourage and inspire me with your comments and with some of your new reviews, which I so greatly appreciate. I can hardly wait to see many of you in person---with May and June events in Colorado. Wherever you are, I hope May brings you a fresh sense of restoration, no matter what comes your way.
As always, love and gratitude, from my heart to yours!
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