Last week was BIZZ-EEE! First, I celebrated the release of my new book, The Secret of Pembrooke Park, at my local bookstore. This book launch is my big event of the year—my night to feel almost like a celebrity with a big crowd to cheer me on. If you were to study this crowd closely—or the photo slideshow I play while people are arriving—you would see that many of these same people attend year after year. Most of them I know personally—from my church, Curves, my kids’ schools, the local Jane Austen Society, book clubs I have visited—along with relatives, girlfriends, and past co-workers. I am blessed with the best friends ever and the most supportive church family! I also met several new people who are just discovering my books. And that was oh-so-satisfying as well.
This year, I gave a brief talk about the inspiration for the new book, and showed an “on location” video of the English manor house and church we visited that inspired fictional Pembrooke Park. It was a fun night.
After recovering from this big event, it was time to pack for a trip to Utah, for a mini out-of-state book tour. There, I gave a few more book talks and had several signings. I enjoyed meeting new readers as well as long-time fans. Of course I loved it when a few ladies showed up with their entire collection of Julie Klassen novels for me to sign!
I also loved meeting several gracious, helpful booksellers, and having dinner with fellow-Regency author Julianne Donaldson. It was also great to spend time with my agent, Wendy Lawton, and her husband Keith, who drove out from California to be with me, as well as industry legends Ted and Marietta Terry, who showed us around and treated us to wonderful meals. I was blessed just to be in their company.
Keith & Wendy Lawton, Santa, Julie, Marietta & Ted Terry
It was a good, but exhausting week for this introvert. Now I am home and enjoying a little “absence makes the heart grow fonder” glow at being reunited with my husband and sons. What’s keeping you busy this week?
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I’m up to my Nick in decorating and making the place look Christmassy. Last week and right up to Yesterday we were busy every night. Our church held a live nativity and showing of nativity sets. Everyone took their activities into the church and they had a beautiful display. Someone bought in a large one of those blow up nativity scenes. It was awesome and it was set up at the entrance of the church. After the live nativity ended different members had worked long and hard painting wooden nativity people to put in the stable to be displayed throughout Christmas.
Now most of my obligations are finished so I can work around the house.
That’s what I’ve been up too.
Merry Christmas
Shirley
When you’re done making your house Christmasy, wanna come over and do mine? 🙂 I put the annual wreath from the Boy Scouts on the door, but that’s it so far. Merry Christmas to you, too, Shirley!
Julie, I’m so thankful to have met you at a writers retreat. It makes reading your books even more special to me. You are such a great writer, you continually surprise me and teach me. You’ve opened up an era I was unfamiliar with before. Good thing, I might be going to London with hubby on a business trip.
Hosting a hubby’s company business dinner this week which means the house has to be cleaner then when I have my writer friends over. 🙂 Merry Christmas! May your holiday season be blessed with family and faith.
Thanks, Mindy! Hope you get to go to London–if so, I want to hear ALL about it!
Wow, that looks like an awesomely successful book launch! How exciting. And…THUD (that sound and the shaking floorboards is from me dropping to the floor in a dead faint)…you have a local Jane Austen Society?! Mercy, be still my heart.
And guess what I am just about to crack open? The Secret of Pembrooke Park!!!!!!! I’m so excited!!!!!!! I have to get blood tests done in a bit and I’m actually hoping there’s a long wait time so I can read. 🙂 And yes, you know you are a Klassen fan when you look forward to sitting in a doctor’s office for a long time just so you can read.
And curiosity killed the cat kind of question. How do you decide where you will go for a book tour?
Yes, Kav. The Minnesota chapter of the Jane Austen Society of North America. Perhaps there is a similar society near where you live…? Hope so! And, I was invited to go to Utah this year. No big game plan otherwise. Thanks for asking. Hope you enjoy the book!
It was so nice to meet you and chat a little. Thanks for coming to Utah! And thanks for the writing advice. Such a joy to meet other believers and hear how the Lord uses your talents. I’m starting Pembrooke Park and am trying to read slowly to savor the story but can’t help devouring it. Thanks again. Merry Christmas!
GREAT talking to you, too, Angela. A highlight of my trip! Hope you enjoy the new book. Merry Christmas to you, too!
I’m so happy I was able to meet you. Thank you for making the trip to Utah. Getting all my books signed was fabulous. I finished Pembrooke Park and of course it was a fantastic read.
Thanks, Jennifer. Man, that was fast! Glad you enjoyed the book. Thanks for coming out–loved meeting you AND signing your books!
Wow! What a busy, busy week you had my friend. At the same time; it was a super exciting week for sure. I’m excited for you about your new book.
Today was my Sunday School Christmas Party which I had planned to attend. I did manage to make what I had signed up to make/take, but didn’t feel physically up to actually going to the party so sent it with other class members. Life is busy for us all at this time of year.
Sorry you didn’t feel well enough to attend your party, Faith. Hope you feel better soon! Take care of yourself.