April 2023 - Renewal
April looks, sounds, and feels like spring . . . even in colder climes. We know that somewhere -- like in California -- buds are on the trees, flowers are unfolding their blooms, and delicate aromas are wafting through the air.
Yes, we've had torrential rains this year! The Central Valley, where so much of our food is grown, is experiencing flooding, as are many other areas, because of high rainfall and saturated ground.
Meanwhile, the populace awaits news of a possible superbloom in the Carrizo Plain National Monument. Why? For its spectacular beauty is, of course, the first answer. My husband and I, with two good friends, enjoyed this natural pageant in 2019. The breathtaking arrays of mountainsides and valleys carpeted with yellow and purple flowers inspired a storyline and the cover of my book When the Heart Listens. If you'd like to visit, here's an excellent Guide.
Will 2023 be a superbloom year? We still don't know, but if it happens, it'll be delayed until about mid-April due to too much rain. California's wildflowers---which used to bloom over hill and dale throughout the state---are now becoming increasingly rare as development continues to encroach. The flowers may appear sturdy, but their delicacy makes them key indicators for climate change, too. A superbloom requires steady but gentle rains, and the cooler temperatures of earlier years. Now we tend to get blistering heat or torrents of rainfall. And so we wait on tiptoe, hoping for the unique beauty of these flowers, which signify renewal.
Renewal:
-
an instance of resuming an activity or state after an interruption:
-
the replacing or repair of something that is worn out.
We might ask ourselves: How can we create our own personal sense of renewal? What challenge will renew our spirit? What accomplishment will have us feeling fresh as beautiful blooms? What kindness might we extend to others to refresh our sense of purpose?
If there is something new we've wanted to initiate, now might be the perfect time to get started. Whatever seems to need refreshing in your life, I hope you renew your faith in fresh possibilities! Happy April!
Pre-Pub Reviews are in!
Why Hearts Keep Secrets has some wonderful pre-publication reviews!
-
“In Why Hearts Keep Secrets Purl has expertly interwoven her characters’ lives into a colorful, fascinating tapestry of mystery, romance, and suspense. The writing flows easily and the characters are compelling. . . . – ForeWord Reviews
-
"Why Hearts Keep Secrets by Mara Purl is a compelling romance that draws readers into a world of mystery, suspense and intrigue. . . . an electrifying plot that will keep readers on the edge of their seats . . . Readers will fall in love with Purl’s masterful plotline and stunning use of descriptive imagery. . . .” – Maincrest Media Reviews
-
“I found this continuation of Mara Purl’s Milford-Haven series to be every bit as captivating and revealing as all the others . . . Another wonderful read.” – Linda Thompson, Host of The Authors Show.
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!
E-Book Launch!
Why Hearts Keep Secrets is about to bloom! Don't miss the super-fun launch! The e-book launches on April 13 -- "No More Secrets Day"! And for THREE days, the ebook will be FREE! Don't miss your chance to download it to your collection. Enjoy special posts on my social media (choose your favorite) that will direct you to my book. A bonus: for those who enjoy my books, I've carefully chosen books from a few other authors of Women's Fiction I think you'll enjoy:
Print Book Launch
For those of you who love a physical book---and the trend for printed books is UP these days---there are three special events coming up! One is in California, two are in Colorado, as detailed below.
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:
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.
Master Class at SLO Night Writers
One of my very favorite organizations is San Luis Obispo Night Writers. The long-established premiere writers' organization in the Central Coast, this group of professionals inspire me with their dedication and creativity.
I'm honored and super excited to be invited back. This time I'm presenting a Master Class honed from several of my teaching slide shows. Join us to create a breakthrough with your writing!
Are you a member? Don't miss! Are you interested in attending as a guest? Contact President Janice Konstantinidis.
-
What? Master Class - Fiction Factors 7-segment interactive presentation
-
When? Tuesday, April 11th, 6:30 PM
-
Where? (In Person) United Church of Christ
11245 Los Osos Valley Road, San Luis Obispo, CA
-
OR
-
Where? On Zoom:
California Print Book Performance & Signing!
It's a book! It's a play! It's a signing! It's all three, actually, and it'll be featuring four Central Coast authors and special guest performers.
The iconic Coalesce Bookstore is a long-established favorite among authors and readers in the Central Coast, and they've kindly invited us. Three fellow authors and I will be featuring scenes from our latest books, to be performed in dramatic readings. We also have two wonderful actors who'll be performing with us. Fun!
Among us we have humor, romance, and plenty of mystery!
-
What - Book Performance & Signing
-
When - Sunday, April 16th at 1:00 PM
-
Where - Coalesce Bookstore, 845 Main Street, Morro Bay, CA. 93442
-
Food - Delightful light refreshments shall be served
Colorado Book Launch Tea
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. Would you like an invitation? Let me know via e-mail! I'll make sure you receive the important details so you can join us for a fabulous afternoon. Write "Tea invitation" in your subject line.
MaraPurl@aol.com.
Colorado Book Launch Brunch
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!
Would you like an invitation? Send an email to Judith and be sure to write "Brunch Invitation" in your subject line.
Judith@Briles.com
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
This promises to be a busy year! My 2023 Calendar at a glance:
-
April 11th - SLO Nightwriters Presentation, San Luis Obispo, California
-
April 13th - Why Hearts Keep Secrets launch on "No More Secrets Day"
-
April 16th - Coalesce Bookstore, Morro Bay, California, Joint Book Performance & Signing with Anne R. Allen, Tony Piazza, Lida Sidaris
-
May 5 - Why Hearts Keep Secrets "Secrets Book Tea" joint event, Mara Purl & Judith Briles in Colorado Springs
-
May 7 - Why Hearts Keep Secrets - "Secrets Book Brunch" joint event, Mara Purl & Judith Briles in Denver
-
July 25th - Christmas in July launch of Whose Angel Key Ring
-
September 16th - Colorado Authors Hall of Fame induction gala, Denver
-
September 29th - Theatrical reading of "Becoming Julia Morgan", Cambria
-
September 29th - Whose Hearts Align launch on "World Heart Day"
-
October 8th- Milford-Haven Lighthouse Party celebration, Central Coast
-
October 29th - Why Hearts Keep Secrets & With the Dreams in Milford-Haven - "Secrets & Dreams Book Tea", Los Angeles
-
December - Where Xmas Marks the Spot book launch
-
February 2024 - Publishing at Sea Cruise, Los Angeles to Mexico
-
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!
-
What - Induction Ceremony & Gala, Colorado Authors Hall of Fame
-
When - Saturday, September 16th
-
Where - Hilton Doubletree at Denver Tech Center
-
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!
-
What: Publishing at Sea Cruise
-
When February 2 - 9, 2024
-
Where: Port of Los Angeles
-
Ports of Call: Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, & Puerto Vallarta
-
Reserve now: Judith@Briles.com or 303-885-2207
My Heart is Grateful . . .
. . . for a busy and productive March! My latest novel is now published, and about to launch. And its sequel is well under way! Lots of progress has been made on two new holiday novellas, one for Milford-Haven, and one for Mount Haven, the Colorado-based series with crossover. Progress too on the next YA mystery book. It's been a good time to hunker down and write, write, write!
I'm grateful for the Aspiring Authors Scholars and as the Mentoring Program director have tremendously enjoyed creating our syllabus. This month it was my turn to conduct a teaching session with them, with foundational segments on core values, author declarations, and other fundamentals. Once again, these were powerful and practical. Our scholars are coming into the business with their eyes open. Exciting!
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 April events in California and Colorado events in May. Wherever you are, may this April bring you a fresh sense of renewal, no matter what comes your way.
As always, love and gratitude, from my heart to yours!
|
