Happy June!
Thanks for coming to check out my blog!
I’m excited for this to be a space for updates, musings, lists, travelogues, and more.
I’m especially keen to chat with and help boost writers and others in the publishing community.
So, grab a cup of tea, get comfy…and let’s dig in!
June is here! Spring is in full swing, summer approaches, and the Ramirez family has many milestones happening. I’m excited to share some updates!
Writing updates:
I’ve completed a revision and sent it off to my agent, Vicky Weber. This one gave me some challenges, but I think it’s ready! I’m so grateful to my amazing critique partners for helping me sort it out (as they do with all of my stories). It won’t go on submission right away, but it will be ready for when the time comes.
I’ve drafted a new bouncy, cheeky manuscript (about bouncy, cheeky squirrels) that I hope parents will enjoy reading to their littles. It’s in its beginning stages, so I’m sure I’ll have more revising to do. But a new manuscript is always exciting!
New interview coming soon: Keep an eye on the blog, because this month I’ll be interviewing author Christine Alemshah about her upcoming picture book release, Bea’s Balikbayan Box of Treasures (published by Free Spirit Publishing, illustrated by Dream Chen, and releasing very soon - preorder wherever you buy your books)! Find Christine on Instagram (@c_alemshah) and on her website christinealemshah.com. Christine is a font of information and resources for writers and readers!
Personal updates:
In May, we celebrated our daughter’s graduation from University of Missouri! She graduated with two degrees, in Journalism and Constitutional Democracy. This week I will be flying to Missouri and helping her move to Washington DC, where she will be working. We are so stinkin’ proud of her!
These milestones hit deep. They are HUGE, emotional, and meant to be savored. It seems that just two minutes ago, my husband was reading picture books to our kids in cute, funny voices. And now, they are doing and accomplishing hard things, navigating early adulthood, and I’m working on my dream of writing picture books that maybe one day they will read to their own kids! Phew. Right in the gut.
We’ve got a busy and joyful summer ahead, filled with camping trips with friends, family visits, and a WEDDING! I’m looking forward to sharing those updates with you. In the meantime…
Rapid Roundup:
Reading: The Briar Club by Kate Quinn (historical fiction) / Dear Writer: Pep Talks & Practical Advice for the Creative Life by Maggie Smith (non-fiction) - WRITERS: READ THIS! It’s fantastic!
Watching: Just finished Sanditon on PBS - lovely, fluffy Jane Austen period piece. Starting Department Q on Netflix - dark British crime drama.
Eating: My daughter got me hooked on Tortellini Caesar Salad. It’s literally just caesar salad with some store-bought tortellini thrown in. I made my own Caesar dressing, added some arugula and spinach to get some dark greens, and you could add chicken if you wanted more protein. It was fast, easy, and satisfying!
Making: The lei that my daughter is wearing is a money lei. There are so many ways to do them, but I took the easy route. Here is the link I used to learn to make them: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/5699937023963603/
Small delights: PEACHES. Sweet, juicy slices of summer. Delightful!
What are your favorite reads, shows, meals, or small delights this season? Drop me a line and let me know!
Thanks for stopping by — I hope you have a great month!