New Release: Laya's Vacation

It seems like it's been a bit since I've had a new release. Ok, it was March, which, in the grand scope of things, wasn't that long ago, but I'd really hoped to have this book done by June and well, that just didn't happen. Will I have another book out this fall? Odds are not likely, but I won't rule it out.

But we're here today to celebrate the release of Laya's Vacation! Woohoo! After months of trying to do the illustrations in between events, work, and life stuff, I finally finished this labor of chicken love. Even more stressful than trying to get the book finished was the fact that Laya was ill twice and at four years old, I was worried things might not work out for her. How long do chicken's live, is a question I get asked all the time. The answer: not as long as you'd like. My oldest chicken is 9 and she's not in a good way, but she's still kicking so we let her go about her days until she's ready to tell me she's done.

The good news is that after some meds and a lot of love, Laya is back in good health and ready to promote the release of her book. Hooray!

This book is based on Laya's adventures with me last year in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. We'll be returning there later this month so at least we made this book happen before that show. #goals

The art is all watercolor paintings and this book has more pages than the Kay-Kay book so I knew what I was in for, but still...I did it anyway. See also: Why it took so long to finish.

Short-tempered from the summer heat, Laya takes a vacation in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, far away from her family and friends. She travels to Paradise, Whitefish Point, and Tahquamenon Falls to see what animals and sights exist beyond the chicken yard.

The official release date is August 10. You can order signed copies now from the "Buy Signed Copies" tab above (within the US) and I'll get those out as soon as I have books in my hands. The book is also available from all the usual online retailers including Amazon / B&N

You can also get your signed copy at these upcoming events:

August 10&11    South Haven Blueberry Festival 
August 16-18     Wild Blueberry Festival in Paradise, MI 
August 24&25    Michiana Renaissance Festival in South Bend, IN
Aug 31 & Sept 1 Newaygo Logging Festival 

If you're not familiar with 

the Insecure Writers Support 

Group, check it out here 

and find links to all the other 

participating writers.

This month's Insecure Writer's Support Group question is about using AI, which is a topic it feels like we just talked about a couple months ago and my answer is still the same: No, I don't use AI for book creation, marketing, or research. All these weird and twisted people, creatures, and plots come from my brain. Yay me!

If we could get AI on washing dishes and doing laundry, maybe mowing the grass, and cleaning toilets, now that, I'd be up for. Leave the creative stuff to humans.