Announcing Publication Date of My Second Novel

After five years of writing (with a Covid hiatus) and the better part of a year submitting (including two months of suspense over competing offers), my second novel will be published by Greenleaf Book Group this coming February . . . AT LAST! 

I confess to being ridiculously excited about this book with its stunning, magical setting and prickly, witty characters getting in each other’s ways as they desperately work to make their last dreams come true before it’s too late: all echoes to Hemingway’s Lost Generation of The Sun Also Rises intentional, though with modern angst and an actual resolution. It has something for everyone. As I say, come to the book for the setting, history, folklore, and food, and stay for the story of how it all works on this cadre of dreamers. It was a blast to research and write, and I’m hoping readers will enjoy it.

As I shared in my last newsletter, getting to this point was a long haul through the noir of the submission-rite-of-passage, which I was spared with my first novel. It certainly did test my patience and writerly self-esteem.

I can’t say I’ve reached any conclusions about the submission process other than a realization that quite of bit of what I’d learned and been applauded for during many query workshops changed considerably while I was in process. Ah well, it was torture while it lasted. But even a film noir has to conclude, and this one has a happy ending.

We’re off to a Great Start.

My new publisher oozes professionalism and enthusiasm, and I’m looking forward to a truly enjoyable experience, without the first-novel terror. The acquiring editor even sent what I can only call an “essay of admiration,” indicating how she related to every aspect of the novel, including each character and the book’s overall themes. It was an astonishing personal touch that bodes well for a great collaboration moving forward. And what a collaboration it’s already been. 

The Publisher Loves the Title!

To those of you who helped me come up with an English-language version of my beloved original title of La Querencia, you’ll be pleased to know that Greenleaf thinks the title is great. I thank all of you who gave me over 300 options back in 2022 to virtually workshop Last Sunset in San Miguel into life.  

As a side note, this means the titles of both of my novels have been accepted as submitted. I’m proud of that.

The Manuscript Is Ready to Go!

The cover most likley will be a drop-dead photo of one of the famous san miguel sunsets similar to above. because, well, what else?

Thanks to my great editors Andrea Robinson, Barb Shoup, Jacquelyn Mitchard and Linda Naslund, the manuscript skipped through editorial review and sailed into copyedit with no significant editorial changes, ensuring the earliest launch date possible. And we’re deep into cover design even at this early stage.

As a special note, the novel’s prologue placed in the First Chapter Contest of The Chicago Writers Association.

The Timing is Great!

My publication date of February 9, 2027 virtually coincides with the annual San Miguel Writers’ Conference & Literary Festival. This timing offers all kinds of exciting promotional opportunities where I’ll be able to thank the legion of local collaborators rallied by friends Cathleen Johnson, Phyllis Pitluga, and Mary Lee Montague, who helped so much with research and connections, as well as kick off book sales with appropriate fanfare. And, I’ll be launching my pre-order campaign in November, during Dia de los Muertos Fiesta or, The Day of the Dead, which is the setting for the last third of the story. I love that.

Thanks so much, readers of this newsletter, for hanging in with me when I became increasingly scarce as I strained for every bit of book news I could share over the past few years. You’ll be hearing from me more frequently as I migrate over to Substack with a regular “column” I’m calling Thinkin’ Bout My Generation. This should keep us all informed and in the mood for Last Sunset in San Miguel as we move toward launch.

I’m so glad to have you with me on this journey.

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