June 2023 - Readership
This is the "R" word for the month of June. Why do we read? Is it important? Is it less important now than it used to be? Or is it more important than ever? What kind of difference in a reader's life can a good book make? All these are part of the musings in the author community about Readership.
Do you remember the very first book you read? Did a whole secret world open up for you as you did? Were you lucky enough to be read to as a small child? How did the transition feel when you began instead reading for yourself?
My parents read to me. Since both were actors, their readings were magnificent performances, each character having its own unique voice. (No doubt, this is why I'm an Audible narrator these days.) One of my earliest book memories was discovering in the library a book titled, "Mara, Daughter of the Nile." This book had my name on the cover; I had to read it! When my mother and I brought it to the check-out counter, the librarian said I could sign out my other books, but not that one. "How come?" I asked. "Because you're not old enough to read at that level." My mother suggested that I open to a page and read it for the librarian, which I did. I had no trouble with the text. The librarian was shocked. "How old are you?" she demanded. '"I'm three years old," I proudly declared. We went home with the book, which I found fascinating. I later learned I was at the time the youngest reader in
town. It's no wonder I feel so strongly about reading.
What's so great about it, really? Reading is quiet---one of the few quiet things in a noisy world. Finding or creating a quiet place in our lives soothes the senses and nurtures the soul. That addresses the external aspect, but the inner quiet is important too. To be able to concentrate and absorb what we're reading, we need an inner stillness that enables us to hear, feel and perceive at a much deeper level. This is where we find our own sense of peace and purpose, and learn how to access this inner listening regularly.
I created something I call "Mara's Reader Meter." At one end are books that can be classified as Pure Escape. (We all need this sometimes!) At the other end are the Improve My Mind books. Somewhere near the middle are books with large doses of both these qualities. This is what I aim for in my own writing: research that provides my readers with interesting information they likely wouldn't discover on their own, and compelling storylines that set you on a magic carpet ride into another world. By the way---this is what my fellow authors offer on our Summer Reading Tour. (See below)
I encourage you to seek out the special events that are designed for readers. The L.A. Times Festival of Books is a prime example---a once-a-year weekend bonanza of book and author discovery with presentations and hundreds of booths. There's a similar event in Washington D.C. and one in Tucson. There are smaller events in many parts of the country. Of course I encourage visits to your local library, which is full of undiscovered treasures. And visit your local indie bookstore or Barnes & Noble branch for the latest trends and for a visual feast of well-designed book covers, a sort of walk through a gallery of small paintings.
I highly recommend finding yourself a reading nook, your own private escape zone. It might be a corner of the couch, a chair on your balcony, or just some plumped pillows before you go to sleep at night.
Readership:
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The readers of a newspaper, magazine, or book regarded collectively.
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The position of Reader at a university, church, or organization
If you haven't had a chance to read aloud for others, it's a beautiful challenge that inspires growth and connection. This is one of my favorite things.
But the first definition is what really interests me. Why? Because while there are many things we must do on our own, there are also amazing things we can only do collectively. This is where "the sum of us is more than the parts." We absorb wisdom and energy from each other and our thoughts and ideas soar higher and go deeper than ever. From this higher standpoint, we can accomplish huge things---like healing global warming, for example.
What wonderful new books will you discover this summer? And what readership collective will you join to add to your store of wisdom and insight, peace and purpose? I wish you joy in your Readership journey! Happy June! Happy Summer! Happy reading!
In-Person at Barnes & Noble
Our terrific group of authors in Colorado will be gathering a few times this summer. Our first group signing kicks off the first weekend of June. You'll find books from multiple genres with authors at the ready to sign your copies. Join us!
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What - Barnes & Noble Group Signing
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When - Saturday, June 3rd - 9am to 4pm
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Where - B&N, 14347 W. Colfax Avenue, Lakewood, CO 80401
Summer Vacation (Virtual) Book Tour
My friend and fellow author Tammy L. Grace and I are doing a super fun series of events this summer! Get ready for Tammy & Mara's Summer Reading Book Tour! We'll have three Book Stops, one each in June, July, and August. We've invited a fantastic guest author to join us at each stop!
Giveaways . . . contests . . . conversations . . . these will be very special In-Your-Living room times of sharing and exploring, laughing and just having fun!
We have an all-star lineup of guest authors, and we hope you'll mark these dates on your calendar and join us. We'll be live on Tammy's author page on FaceBook and we'll continue to post details.
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Book Stop #1 Guest author Rebecca Forster
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When - Monday, June 26th at 4pm Pacific/7pm Eastern
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Book Stop #2 Guest author Kay Bratt
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When July 26th at 4pm Pacific/ 7pm Eastern
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Book Stop #2 Guest author Bette Lee Crosby
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When - August 16th at 4pm Pacific/7pm Eastern
Co-Host Author Tammy L. Grace
I can hardly wait to introduce you to my wonderful friend Tammy L. Grace. She has a vivid, creative mind for story, and a tremendous heart for readers. The moment you open one of her books, you'll feel her take you gently by the hand as she leads you into a tale full of friendship, wisdom, and love.
Tammy just loves her readers, and has created wonderful groups where they---and you---can connect, share ideas, offer insights, and discover a level of fun with fellow readers you may never have experienced before.
She has written several series, and her latest is all about a lovely fictional place called Lavender Valley. At the center of her story is a woman named Jewel whose heart is so big that over her long years she fosters many children, A small number of them really become her daughters, and as the series continues, we learn the stories of each of them. Tammy will be offering her prequel novel Greetings from Lavender Valley for FREE.
Co-Host Mara Purl
This will be such an interesting and fun way to connect with those of you who already know my books, and with a lot of readers for whom my series will be something new and different.
To get our virtual tour started, I'll be offering a FREE book. Why not start with the prequel? When the Heart Listens is an award-winner and best-seller that will give readers the back-story of why and how protagonist Miranda moved from the big city of San Francisco to the little town of Milford-Haven.
Sibling rivalry, parental angst, courage and some gorgeous scenery form the backdrop for personal growth, breakthroughs and an almost magically unfolding sense of home in this story.
June Guest - Rebecca Forster
I'm so fortunate to have Rebecca Forster as a friend and colleague! She's a USA Today bestselling author of mysteries and thrillers particularly legal and police procedurals. Whether or not these genres are your cup of tea, I guarantee you'll find hearing her thoughts about writing and about her extensive behind-the-scenes research absolutely fascinating.
Rebecca and I are both Angelinas---that is, we live in Los Angeles. We have both traveled extensively, and we both value research as a keystone of our writing. One of Rebecca's areas of expertise is the law. She'll be the first to share that her husband is a judge and Rebecca has sometimes been able to have a ringside seat to interesting cases. She and I have also each written one paranormal novel, and we were interviewed on the Wordeee website about "Writing the Paranormal." (You might enjoy watching this on YouTube.)
She'll be focusing on her fantastic novel Hostile Witness, Book One of her bestselling "Witness" series, Her wisdom, insights, and tremendous success will be "wow" factors. Be sure to join us!
New Book, New Web Page
Trying to figure out if my latest book Why Hearts Keep Secrets is for you? Watch the video! Everything you need to know about Why Hearts Keep Secrets can be found here, on the beautiful new web page at MaraPurl.com.
The book trailer video will 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!
Novels Book Bundle!
Reading a series in sequence can really be fun! So even though my novels can be enjoyed on their own, they're more exciting in their chronological order. So this month, I'm offering a June Bundle!
Purchase softcover editions of Novels #1, #2, and #3 (the latest) and we'll ship you the prequel novella for free.
How it works:
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Order the 3 books from any bookseller you prefer.
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Email me your receipt along with your shipping address.
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We'll ship the prequel directly to you.
Titles to Order:
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What the Heart Knows (Novel #1)
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Where the Heart Lives (Novel #2)
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Why Hearts Keep Secrets (Novel #3)
FREE Title you'll receive:
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When the Heart Listens (Prequel)
Convenient links to get you started:
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 at this point are a Trilogy, bringing Miranda to the happiness she sought all through the series so far. The books in this trilogy 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 and several readers have ordered them. They come signed and artfully wrapped.
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 take your order and give you all the details.
BONUS: If you choose to pay a bit extra for shipping, we will send you hardcovers of Novels #1 and #2 for FREE!
May Secrets Book Tea in Colorado
To those who joined us -- THANK YOU! Both Judith and I loved being with you! Why did I decide to host the Secrets Book Tea? Here are some reasons.
On one level, purely for fun! We don't often have a chance to don some fancy daytime dress-up clothes and (imaginatively) lift our pickies to sip brewed tea and nibble on freshly baked scones with clotted cream and rasberry-rhubarb jam.
Add to that, it's a delight to gather with women friends. We share overburdened to-do lists as well as a deep sense of inclusion and celebration shared by us as authors and by our readers. Both Judith and I have brand new books. We were able to speak from the heart, share pieces of our journeys---the challenges, frustrations, and triumphs---of writing our fictional worlds.
The big secret in my new book is that this was the hardest one to write---so far. Do I say that every time? Probably. I learned so much each step of the way, and so did my characters. Thanks for letting me share. And thanks for sharing with me how my books make a difference for you.
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! Which was better, the presentation with Q&A? Or the food? Hard to say! Everyone enjoyed both!
Guests were introduced to Judith's The Secret Journey, an intriguing historical novel which both Judith and her co-author Brian Barnes described. This is Book #1 of their new series.
And our guests got to cach up with Milford-Haven in my latest, Why Hearts Keep Secrets. Books flew off our book table, and food disappeared off the buffet table. Best of all were the fascinating conversations our books ignited. This is the essence of readership!
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!
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 can read about that in Novel #3, Why Hearts Keep Secrets!
Update from Wales
Drum roll please! The local U.K. edition of our book is now hot off the presses! A launch party will be held in Milford Haven, Wales on June Thursday, June 22nd! Oh how I wish I could be there in person! I will, however, be there via Zoom and will say a few words---in English!
This book is the result of our year-long literacy project 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 printed in both English and Welsh.
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!
Update from Aspiring Authors
Our May Mentoring session was conducted by board member Doug Gilbert, an international educator with stunning credentials. He provided our scholars with a fantastic presentation about research: how to delve into a subject---well beyond the Google search---which is a good starting point, but by no means the only tool to use. He offered a whole list of tools and techniques updated and vital for authors in both fiction and non-fiction genres.
Do you know an aspiring author? Read about our program parameters to see about nominating someone you know. https:/ColoradoAuthorsHallOfFame.org/inspiring-authors.html
Upcoming Events
My 2023 Calendar at a glance:
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June 3 - Barnes & Noble Signing, Lakewood, Colorado, 9am - 4pm
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June 26 - Summer 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 11th - 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 11th, Patriot's Day, 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 - Monday, September 11th
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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 May! Whew, it was another busy month! I'm grateful for wonderful events. The Secrets Book Tea and the Secrets Book Brunch were both delightful. Thank you again to those who joined us. The Civility of the Book event in Colorado Springs---a brand new three-day marathon event for the city---was inspiring because of meeting such accomplished fellow authors and speakers in the community. Many of us have already started discussing future collaborations, as well as the importance of readership.
I'm grateful for service activities I so enjoy. On the Board of the Colorado Authors Hall of Fame, there's great excitement about our upcoming Induction ceremony, and the beautiful progress of our mentoring program and the young authors who received our scholarships. I chair a Climate group and both the research and the remarkable guests who present for us help us grapple with best practices to prevent further global warming, while inspiring exciting ideas for my CliFi Novellines.
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. Comments on sites like Amazon and GoodReads are immensely valuable! I hope to see many of you in person at June events in Colorado. And I hope to see ALL of you during our wonderful Summer Book Tour on-oline. Wherever you are, have a wonderful start to summer as June gets rolling. It's a joy to know you are part of the larger community of Readership!
As always, love and gratitude, from my heart to yours!
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