From Viola Shipman, Author of The Charm Bracelet
WINTER 2019 ISSUE

The next Heirloom book is coming on April 23rd...The Summer Cottage 

Happy Valentine's Day!

For me, 2018 was a beautiful blur. My last novel, The Recipe Box, became an international bestseller and was featured in magazines from Good Housekeeping to Taste of Home.

Moreover, I’m honored and humbled to announce that I have signed a three-book contract with HarperCollins Publishers! I am part of a new, boutique imprint entitled Graydon House Books, part of Harper/Harlequin, which is dedicated to publishing book club-worthy women's fiction with strong commercial appeal. The Summer Cottage, my first novel with them, publishes on TUESDAY, APRIL 23!

I couldn’t be prouder of my new novel, which continues doing what I love to do: Tell stories of families inspired by my grandmothers’ and family’s heirlooms, lives, love and lessons. Like my previous novels – The Charm Bracelet, The Hope Chest and The Recipe Box – The Summer Cottage is inspired by those I cherish. In this case, the novel is inspired by childhood summers spent with my grandparents at their log cabin on the water in the Ozarks. You can read an excerpt here.

Growing up in the Ozarks in the 1960s and '70s, my parents would drop me off after school ended on Memorial Day, and I would stay with my grandparents – my parents visiting on weekends – until school started again after Labor Day. That old log cabin didn’t have a TV, microwave, telephone or indoor bathroom. We bathed in the ice-cold water, and we listened to an ancient radio we had to position just-so in order to hear Jack Buck’s voice broadcast the St. Louis Cardinals games over a constant crackle. Most of the meals we caught ourselves: Bass right out of the water and fried in my grandma’s cornmeal batter.

So why did I opt out of summers with friends to stay with my grandparents? Because, while that cabin may have been short on luxuries, it was long on memories. And because, during our summers together, my grandparents' only rule was that we all have fun. Together.

My grandma, a hardworking seamstress, and my grandfather, a former vacuum salesman, used to say that the only things we needed were inner tubes, fishing poles, books and each other.

A huge moose head kept eye over the narrow kitchen and living room, its eyes as glassy as my grampa's after a Manhattan. The kitchen stove sloped so badly that our morning eggs would just slide away into oblivion. The cabin had a lake stone fireplace that smelled of smoke, and a tiny upstairs contained 10 cots to hold all the visiting grandchildren and relatives. But the best thing about that cabin on the water is that I got to know my grandparents not only as my grandparents but as real people, who had hopes and dreams, and who cried and laughed, just like me. My grandma and I read to each other every day – from the Bible or a dime store paperback – and she encouraged me to write. They sacrificed so their families could have better lives than they did. I could always feel the love my grampa had for my grandma reverberate in every log, chink and mossy steppingstone in that cabin. My grandparents taught me that even the tiniest of cottages could feel like mansions if they were only filled with love.

Those summers on the water and that cabin so influenced me that I moved from the city as an adult and bought a knotty pine cottage in the Lake Michigan resort town of Saugatuck. That’s where I now write novels – under the pen name of my grandmother Viola Shipman – and where I recreate the summers of my childhood with family and friends. There are special places all of us return to in order to reunite with family and escape from the real world, and The Summer Cottage celebrates those places and memories.

I may have a TV at my cottage, but I don’t use it in the summer. I have books, inner tubes, fishing poles, a screened porch and the water. And every summer day I celebrate the lessons that my grandparents taught me: That the best gifts in life are truly the simplest and that all we really need is each other to be happy.

This is a novel that is meant to be shared among generations, just like a summer cottage. I truly hope you love The Summer Cottage, and that you not only read it on the beach or in your favorite hammock on the porch but also that it brings back wonderful memories and helps start new ones.

You can see more about what people are saying about The Summer Cottage on my website or on Goodreads (follow me if you don’t already!). And please read on for a wonderful Valentine's giveaway (where you can win a copy of The Summer Cottage and MORE), as well as upcoming events. 

THANK YOU for reading, and may I ask you to share this newsletter with other readers who you think might enjoy it?

Memories from Our Family's Cabin

A Special Giveaway: Won't You Be My Valentine?

In my grade school, it was tradition for each student to make a unique Valentine’s Day mailbox and then walk around the classroom, personally delivering cards to each of our classmates in their special creations. I, of course, took this business quite seriously, as it was one of the few creative outlets I had in the Ozarks where I could really shine.

I spent weeks carefully crafting over-the-top creations that made me seem like the love child of Charles Eames and Edith Head. I still love the day of love with – pardon the pun – all my heart. I believe – in our too busy lives in a too busy world – it’s important we have a tangible signal that tells us to slow down and say “I love you!” to those who mean most to us. Whether it’s a store-bought or homemade card, chocolates, balloons, champagne, dinner out or pizza at home, I wish you a Valentine’s Day filled with love. And in honor of this special day, I am thrilled to be hosting my own special Valentine’s celebration JUST FOR YOU!

I am pleased to host a giveaway of TWO special books!

#1: An advance reading copy of The Summer Cottage (before anyone else has a chance to read it!).

#2: A copy of a very special essay collection entitled Love Can Be: A Literary Collection about Our Animals (how perfect is the title for Valentine’s Day?). This is a beautiful book filled with powerful poems and essays about the impact the animals we love have on our lives, spirits, souls and world. The collection features contributions from an amazing group of authors, including Diane Rehm, Joyce Carol Oates, Alexander McCall Smith and Dean Koontz, among others. My essay is entitled "Christmas Cookie" and is about a Lab I rescued and gave to my in-laws, a nerve-wracking decision that turned into one of the greatest gifts I could have ever imagined. ALL net proceeds of sales of this volume go to animal charities.

To enter (believe me, it’s easy!), just do one of the following three things and then email contact@violashipman.com, put Valentine’s Day Giveaway in the header and let me know which of the three you’ve done. I’ll let the winner know via email on March 1, and announce the winner in the next newsletter:

1)     Go to my Viola Shipman Facebook page and like the page. Click here to like.

2)     Go to my Goodreads page, follow me and add The Summer Cottage to your To-Be Read list.

3)     Email the name and email address of a friend or family member who would like to begin receiving this newsletter (let them know first, of course, lol!).

GOOD LUCK! (And there will be a new “summer” giveaway in the April newsletter!)

What's New? LOTS!

Cover Reveal for The Summer Cottage

I was honored that USA Today had the exclusive cover reveal for The Summer Cottage over last Labor Day weekend! The novel is set in my real hometown of Saugatuck-Douglas, Michigan, and I think the cover image captures the beauty of living in a summer cottage and along the lake. More than anything, I wanted the cover to reflect peace, hope and inspiration in these trying times. Click the link below to read all about the novel and the inspiration behind it!

Exclusive cover reveal: “The Summer Cottage” by Viola Shipman

I think Adie Lou’s journey to finding happiness will resonate deeply with you, especially considering that as we age we too often realize we have lost our childhood joy and that playing by adult rules is not always the best path to happiness. Mostly, the novel is about rediscovering our own strength, history and joy by rediscovering the beauty of our family memories and history, as well as the magic in every sunset and sandcastle.

Truly hope you love the cover as much as the novel! And pre-order from your favorite bookstore TODAY!

Why Pre-Ordering A Book Is Vital to An Author’s Success

For an author, pre-orders of a book are the equivalent of first weekend ticket sales for a movie’s release, the first week’s box office for a Broadway play, or opening day attendance for a professional baseball or football team. In short, presales of a book demonstrate surefire support of a book and enthusiasm. I’m hoping that you will consider ordering the book NOW from your favorite bookseller or bookstore, in advance of its April 23rd release. AND IF YOU DO … Drumroll, please … I will send you an autographed, personalized bookplate for your book, which you can have on hand to place in The Summer Cottage as soon as it arrives! Just message me privately at contact@violashipman.com and send me your snail mail information and to whom you’d like the bookplate personalized, and I will send a bookplate at no charge! In advance, THANK YOU for your support!

Pre-Order from Your Favorite Retailer

Praise for The Summer Cottage

Cover Endorsement from the Amazing Dorothea Benton Frank!

And what’s just as exciting as the new cover for The Summer Cottage? The AMAZING cover blurb that New York Times bestselling author (and all-around wonderful human!) Dorothea Benton Frank graciously provided for the novel. I can never thank Dottie enough for her support, guidance and wisdom (and wine, of course)!

“Every now and then a new voice in fiction arrives to completely charm, entertain and remind us what matters. Viola Shipman is that voice and The Summer Cottage is that absolutely irresistible and necessary novel. The Summer Cottage brings us the astounding importance of home and underscores the importance of a loving family and of having a generous heart. Grab a glass of sweet tea and enjoy! Cheers from my porch to yours!”

And Early Summer Cottage Love from the Library Journal!

Moreover, Library Journal gave a lovely pre-publication shout-out about the new novel, writing:

"Renovation is hard work, but Adie Lou is glad to take on grandparents' tumbledown lakeside cottage, the site of many happy summers, as an escape from her failed marriage, empty nest, and general middle-age blues. Then in an outbuilding she discovers a cache of letters written in 1893 by 17-year-old Sadie Collins, daughter of the first cottage owner, whose desire to be a more unconventional woman resonates with Adie Lou. Another feel-good work for feel-bad times by Viola Shipman!"

Tour Schedule for The Summer Cottage

Dates are still being added! Please check my Appearances page at violashipman.com for the latest.

Saturday, April 6, 2019
9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Literary Orange 2019
Sponsored by OC Public Libraries
Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa
900 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach, CA 92660
www.literaryorange.org

Tuesday, April 23, 2019
6:30 pm
Saturn Booksellers
LAUNCH EVENT!
127 W. Main
Suite A
Gaylord, MI 49735
Books available for purchase

Wednesday, April 24, 2019
Luncheon at the East Grand Rapids (MI) Library
Details to come! Check the website!

Wednesday, April 24, 2019
7:00 pm
Grand Rapids Public Library
111 Library St. NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Reading & Signing
Books available onsite for purchase
Schuler Books

Thursday, April 25, 2019
7:00 pm
Forever Books
312 State Street
St. Joseph, MI 49085
Reading & Signing
Books available for purchase

Friday, April 26, 2019
7:00 pm
The Book Cellar
4736 N. Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
Reading & Signing
Books available for purchase

Friday, May 17, 2019
7:30 pm
Dowagiac Dogwood Fine Arts Festival
Featured Author Speaker
Dale A. Lyons Theater
Dowagiac, MI
Books available for purchase
Southwest Michigan College Bookstore
Books available at the Southwestern Michigan College Bookstore
http://www.dogwoodfinearts.org/

Tuesday, May 21, 2019
6:30 pm
“A Cook & A Book” event
A Literary & Culinary Adventure!
Mustard Seed Market (Demo Kitchen)
6025 Kruse Dr.
Solon, OH 44139
Phone: 440-519-3663

Wednesday, May 22, 2019
7:00 pm
Cuyahoga County Public Library
Parma Branch
6996 Powers Boulevard
Parma, Ohio 44129
Phone: 440-885-5362

Friday, June 7, 2019
6:00 pm
Benefit for Book Trust
Cranes Orchard
6504 124th Street
Fennville, MI 49408

Tuesday, June 11, 2019
11:00 am
Sweet House - Women’s City Club
254 Fulton East
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Tuesday, June 11, 2019
6:30 pm
Tamarack Library
832 S. Lincoln Ave
Lakeview, MI 48850

Tuesday, July 30, 2019
7:00 pm
Newaygo Carnegie Library
44 State Rd.
Newaygo, MI 49337

Thursday, September 5, 2019
Special Event at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts!
Ticketed Fundraiser to Benefit Children’s Art Programs
Stay Tuned for Details! Check out the website!