I am back from my writing retreat in the Catskills where I mostly wrote from 5am to 5pm. Twice during that time I would leave my cabin and walk straight up the mountain and back down again. A bearded man in a flannel shirt arrived at my door every morning at 8:30. Reader, he did not ravage me. I know, I’m sorry too, but he did bring me a basket with berries, eggs and a tiny little cake made of nuts and brown rice. Weird midlife plot twist: it was that little cake that ravaged me.
At 5:30 I gathered with the eleven other writers in the attic of the inn for wine and cheese, followed by the most decadent three course dinner. It’s a truth of the mountains that if you have a little cake at breakfast, you’ll have a big cake at dinner. I’m back now from this dreamworld and am doing laundry and getting my hair color fixed because….
I’m Going On Tour!!!
IT’S A LOVE STORY comes out in three weeks (May 27!) and I’m hitting the road. Grab your reading glasses, can you see this image above? I’m going all over the country to so many beautiful bookstores, and I’ll be in conversation with some of my very favorite authors and book people, my genius editor, and my audiobook narrator. The rest of the time I’ll be talking on my own - think bad standup with bright lighting.
***Most of these events are ticketed, so please go to my website (button above) for tickets and information.***
This is honestly my favorite part of the year, meeting readers and seeing people that I mostly only know on the internet. Thank you to everyone who shows up at these things, it means the world. If I’m not coming to a town near you, please consider coming to my first event right here on Substack on May 20 where I’ll be in conversation with Caroline Chambers author of WHAT TO COOK WHEN YOU DON’T FEEL LIKE COOKING and all around lifestyle inspiration.
Special Preorder Things
Someone’s invited you somewhere this summer, I know it. The day before, you’re going to be scrambling to get them a candle or a hand towel that says something about it being wine o’clock. Don’t be that guy. You can preorder signed and personalized copies of IT’S A LOVE STORY (and actually all of my books. You could bring a set. A set!) from Athena Books in Old Greenwich, CT. Click the button below and I’ll write “To Aunt Susie, Cheers to a great summer” or even something about wine o’clock if you’re committed to that. Athena will pop them in the mail on pub day and you’ll look like a star.
Once you’ve preordered from any US retailer, please enter this sweepstakes! There will be three winners and I’ll zoom into your book club / playgroup / firehouse, wherever you gather to talk about IT’S A LOVE STORY or any of my books.
That’s all for today. Making my own breakfast soon, which is lame.
lots of love,
Annabel
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Let’s talk more about this bearded man
are cookbook authors invited on cake ravaging writers retreats?!?!?