A Celebration of Community
Today Natalie Aguirre’s Literary Rambles website featured my guest blog, “How Your Writing Community Fertilizes Your Writing.” Aguirre is also featuring a giveaway of Enemies in the Orchard. I wrote about how though the act of writing is “often a solitary practice, words blossom and grow with the fertilizer of a community who provides encouragement, accountability, and necessary nudging.”
I’m deeply aware that though the cover of my book bears my name, there are many others who helped me bring the story into the world—and have nurtured and helped it grow since it was published.
When I stand in front of audiences to talk about my process or read excerpts, I’m aware of all the thumbprints on my work. I see the purple pen of my mentor who prodded me to delete every unnecessary word. I see the exclamation-mark laded email of my writing soulmate after I worked up the confidence to write a scene I was avoiding. I see the pages and pages of research provided by my go-to historian. I feel the prodding of my editor whose wise questions pushed me just a bit further with character development. And I remember my dad’s voice, whose family stories planted the novel’s earliest seeds.
And, of course, I’m deeply grateful for all of you who have read, reached out with encouragement, and helped spread the word about Enemies in the Orchard!
A Relic Returned
I’ve mentioned before that my grandpa managed, but did not own, Bos Orchards, the farm upon which my book is set. In the book, Karl describes an apple-shaped sign that waves him into the orchard drive.
After reading my book, the daughter of the orchard’s original owner, who had inherited the sign, brought it back to my family to be displayed at our farm, which is adjacent to grandpa’s old orchard. It’s a joy to see it in person again and have it back in our extended family.
Michigan Apples Grower Luncheon
I was privileged this week to join Greg Sumner, whose research on Michigan POW camps helped fuel my book, to give the keynote talk at the Michigan Apples Grower Luncheon at the Amway Grand Plaza in Grand Rapids. The luncheon is part of the Great Lakes Expo, formerly known as the Horticultural Show, an event my Grandpa attended all his life. It was special to share my book’s story with the audience of growers, which included my parents, brother, uncle and husband—and to hear many of their stories as they stopped by after my talk. It was especially dear to hear from older farmers who shared memories of my grandpa and grandma.
A Vote for Claire & Karl?
Heavy Medal: A Mock Newbery Blog sponsored by School Library Journal is narrowing down its top picks in Middle Grade literature this year. Enemies in the Orchard is included in the Narrow-It-Down Poll, which is open now and closes on Saturday, December 9th at 5:00 pm PST. I’d love if you’d take the time to vote!
I’m also grateful that Enemies in the Orchard is included on Bookopolis’s “12 of My Favorite Books From 2023”!
Upcoming Events:
Saturday, Dec. 16: Signing and Meet & Greet, Barnes & Noble, Rivertown Crossings, Grandville, MI
Tuesday, Dec. 19: Michigan Reading Association, Adolescent Literacy Network Book Club, Zoom
March 21, 2024, Celebration of Children’s and Adolescent Literature, Sienna Heights University, Adrian, MI
April 11-13, 2024, Leading Festival Circle at Festival of Faith & Writing, Calvin University, Grand Rapids, MI
Tuesday, April 16, Grandville Ladies Lit Club, Grandville, MI
Thank you, thank you, thank you for reading—and being my community. I do not take this for granted.
Wishing you much warmth and wonder this holiday season!
Dana