Say Yes!
Readings: **Please share these with your friends in/near the locations and use the flyer at the end of the newsletter to tell them about Dog Love Stories.
NOTE DATE CHANGE: Friday, April 4, 6:30PM
BookWoman Bookstore, 5501 N Lamar, Austin, TXThursday, April 10, 6:30PM
Brazos Bookstore, 2421 Bissonnet St, Houston, TXFriday, April 11, 7PM
Home Reading, RSVP for location, Houston TXNOTE DATE AND TIME CHANGE: Thursday, April 24, 5:30PM
Home Reading, RSVP for location, Palm Springs, CASunday, May 25, 10AM
Unity Church of Taos, 69 Blueberry Hill Road, El Prado, NMTuesday, June 10, 6:30 PM
Boulder Bookstore, 1107 Pearl St, Boulder, COWednesday, June 4, 4PM
Hand in Hand Bookstore, 128 Grand Ave, Mancos, COWednesday, June 11, 6PM
Tattered Cover Colfax with MaxFund Shelter, Denver, CO
Yes!
Being afraid about moving forward with this book’s launch didn’t stop me. Yes! This is a time to say yes, isn’t it, even when afraid?
First, the day before close friends Nancy and Malcolm from Durango stopped by to take me to lunch, hugging away my jitters. “Yes, you’ve got this!” they encouraged me.
Then, I was buoyed by the arrival of Matt the evening before the launch (a former middle school & high school student who has become an integral part of my life. He creates the videos on my social media). “Yes!” Matt affirmed, “I’m here to help with everything!”
The morning of my launch, a small group of fellow She Writes Press authors surprised me with the delivery of a gorgeous bouquet of flowers. “Yes!” they reassured me with this gesture.
“Meet you at the bookstore,” friend Elise texted, having muscled 20 heavy folding chairs in her car (like me, a woman in her 70s). “Yes! No problem!” she had kindly offered.
The bookstore angels were already in action. Talk about muscling! Manager Delilah and employee Jean were already heaving bookshelves and tables around, making room for chairs to be set up. “Yes!” they insisted brightly. “Of course there is room!” and they were right. Friend Liz arrived early to help as well. Mercy felt the loving energy in the room growing.
Soon Questa friends Maggie and musician Becky arrived, with a sound check done so Becky could prepare to sing us into saying “Yes!” as the video shows.1 Close friends Talli (Denver) and Sharon (California) showed up, Sharon later offering an entertaining introduction of me. “Yes! We made it!”
What a gift to live in the San Luis Valley. Members of my local community arrived with homemade dog treats, cards, soap, and candle gifts with more flowers in gestures of support and kindness. But just the faces (especially Miranda’s with the dog mask!)! What beauty from my perspective up front. Overwhelming. Heartwarming.
Guests voted for which dog I would read about and gentle Lab Pookie won (well, two-year-old Ida swayed the vote), though feisty Gavroche claims he actually had more votes.2
When Q&A opened up, the first question came from local professional artist David Montgomery, “Who did the sketches in your book?” I answered Tom Laetz and how this was his first sketch job; the audience was in disbelief.
Signings followed and a chance to connect one-on-one.3 My adrenaline was pumping and I felt challenged to have a clear signature, but hugs helped! From starting out the evening with saying the names of animals we’ve loved to ending with the chance to talk with people I care about, the evening was an uplifting experience shared with my beloved community and local bookstore. “Yes!”
Dog Love Stories in audiobook will be available 4/29!
TIME TO BEG FOR REVIEWS! SUPPORTING AN AUTHOR:
Leave a short review that includes your experience reading the book (did you laugh, cry, enjoy the writing style? Who else might enjoy the book?). Reviews on bookseller sites, Amazon, and reading apps like GoodReads and StoryGraph are really helpful for authors, as this can influence purchases. Reviews with specific reasons about why you loved the book (but without spoilers, or with spoiler warnings) are the best.
If you post your book reviews on social media, be sure to tag me on Facebook or Instagram @patricia.e.eagle
More about Dog Love Stories in the news:
Check out this article from ShoutOut Colorado, here.
Mercy Me: Reflections on Love and Life
Patricia Eagle recently moved you from another platform to Mercy Me: Reflections on Love and Life, hosted on Substack. New posts will be automatically delivered to you via email or via the Substack app.
To set up your profile and find more to read, click here. If you do not want to receive emails from Mercy Me, you can unsubscribe here, or you can message us and ask to be removed.
If you know others who might be interested, please forward this newsletter on!
If you are not subscribed to the newsletter, please consider doing so. Subscribing helps increase how many people find me here on Substack, and ensures that you won’t miss any of my posts.
Video by Matt Struck.
Video by Matt Struck
Video by Matt Struck