My newest book, Counting Blessings, was released in March.  A compilation of letters – rather like a personal journal – it’s my first foray into non-fiction, and I was frankly scared stiff about it. (I mean, would you publish your journal and pass it around? I didn’t think so! What was I thinking?) I’ve shared very private musings about writing, mothering, surviving MS, and laughing (so you don’t cry) at the multitude of challenges LDS women face every day. There’s a sample essay up on the “Books” page and I’ll be sharing excerpts on my blog throughout the rest of the year. I hope you’ll check it out . . . and then buy the book! How often do you get a chance to peek inside a stranger’s journal, after all?  

THE WHITNEY AWARDS

It has been an honor and a pleasure to have served on the Whitney Awards Committee in its inaugural year. The award was named in honor of early apostle Orson F. Whitney who said, “We will yet have Miltons and Shakespeares of our own” and was designed to honor and encourage excellence in fiction by LDS Authors. I’ve read more than fifty books as part of my responsibilities on the committee, and was blown away by their quality and diversity. Helping to narrow the selections down to five in each category was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done! You can see the finalists at www.whitneyawards.com.

FIRESIDES, ENRICHMENT NIGHTS, YOUNG AUTHOR PRESENTATIONS

I often speak to youth, women’s groups, book clubs, writers’ groups, and schools on writing and a variety of other topics including literacy, self-esteem, goal-attainment, and Strength of Youth. There is no charge, of course, and I am willing to pay a portion of the travel expenses myself. (Taxes are astronomical for writers; this way I can donate a portion of what I earn to you instead of the government.) Contact me for more information – and a complete schedule of my upcoming events and availability.