The first year of having a book

And hopefully, not the last. :)

One year ago this past Sunday, dozens of people from all walks of my life came together at our adorable little town hall here in Exeter to celebrate my fiftieth spin around the sun and also the launch of the book Every Day, Luv. It wouldn’t go on sale officially for another month and a half, but that day it felt like something exciting was beginning.

Ye olde town hall :)

Me, with cupcake.

College roommates, reunited.

Goofball wife and bestie, setting up.

Goofball nephew, living his best life. :)

Up until then, I had all these poems, scrawled on a little bits of paper, just sitting in a plastic bag, wondering if this was their final destination, or whether they were meant for some higher purpose.

Eventually, three years later, I got my act together, found a great self-publishing outfit and a wonderful designer, and, many many months and drafts later, had a book in my hands.

My chicken scratch before it was turned into a book.

In the year since then, I’ve been adjusting from being someone who aspires to have a book, to someone who actually has a book.

When asked who I am and what I do, I’ve had to get used to saying “I’m a writer, and just published my first book,” instead of just saying “I’m a writer.“

I’ve become someone who organizes readings, gathers writers I’ve never met and asks them to join me, reaches out to musicians and old friends I haven’t worked with in 20 years, and brings them along for the ride.

It has created moments of connection I never expected to have with people I admire. I’ve become someone who quickly inscribes a little note on the dedication page, and hands them a copy, saying “this is for you.“

I’ve become someone who hosts a weekly live show, gabbing with everyone from fellow writers to politicians to singing tax preparers.

Something exciting truly was beginning, and even now, a year later, is still only just beginning. And there is much work left to do. As exciting as all the above developments have been, I would be remiss if I did not admit that book sales have flattened out, as have substack subscriptions. Many of you, loyal readers, friends, and family, have been incredibly generous with your support. Now I humbly ask you to bring others along this journey.

Please consider referring a few friends today and get yourself up on the leaderboard, where great perks await you.

That being said, 2026 promises to be really special. Lots of fun stuff to come, lots more connections to me, lots more adventures to be had together.

Thank you, thank you, one and all who have been a part of this remarkable journey thus far. See you Friday for our live show with Portsmouth Poet Laureate, and all-around awesome person, Lauren WB Vermette.