#AuthorLife: Surprises, Progress & a Little Chaos✨
New book trailers, an award, manuscript updates, course link, + a proud mommy moment
Hello and Happy Saturday,
So Much to Share! The last of couple weeks have been pretty busy—though, given that I spend most days typing on a computer, that might not be saying much! 😊
On the personal front, I participated in an Easter handbells choir performance; on Tuesday, Washington Gas dug up and trampled my flower beds and drilled a hole in the wall to install an external gas meter (no complaints if it makes me safer); I have a new interview coming out later today (more on that next time); and yesterday, I got to see my son’s first one-man show—so fun!
On the author front…
Who is This Book Really For? 📚
At the end of our final #FabulousFriday Podcast, Cyrus Webb described the FIVE BUCKETS of people who should read It’s Okay Not to Be Fabulous Every Day: A Journey to Self-Discovery. At the risk of tooting my own horn, this is what he said:
FABULOUS Reader Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Dalsimer’s message is one of hope and empowerment. She reminds readers that even “off” days are a natural part of life, and we can still move forward with purpose.”
— ScarsdaleFamily
📚 Click HERE for your copy of It’s Okay Not to Be Fabulous Every Day
🎥 I NEED YOUR HELP: Which Book Trailer Do You Like Best?
I’ve been thinking a lot about how books find their readers—recommendations, reviews, bestseller lists, and increasingly, social media.
So, I commissioned two trailers and would love your help choosing the best one.
Please watch both—each is about a minute long—and REPLY to this email to let me know which would make you want to pick up the book or recommend it to someone who might need it.
Bliss Trailer #1
dStar Trailer #2
📑 HIDDEN NATURE (??) Manuscript Update
Character-driven New Adult romance with a suspense subplot ❤️🫣
Thank you Linda P., Cyrus W., and Amy R. for your feedback! I am busy editing and adding interiority, and hope to be ready for the next round of reviews soon.
Thanks also to Linda for discovering that Nora Roberts already published a book called “Hidden Nature.” While it’s disappointing to learn, on the upside, it saves me from having to do a title search.
If you have title suggestions, feel free to share.
📑Jack & Ginger: An Unexpected Friendship
A middle grade adventure story about a mouse who befriends a cat.🐱🐭
For those new to my mailing list, Jack & Ginger is a Middle Grade (ages 8-11) manuscript I began writing in October 2023. For several reasons, I set it aside in May 2024. So, while Hidden Nature was out for review, I revisited my draft and got excited all over again about the story.
As soon as NA is off my plate, I’m diving back into MG!
If you have an Amazon account, please consider following me so you’ll be the first to know when my book comes out. Click HERE.
From Draft to Done Webinar 🖊
Thanks to everyone who attended and who watched later! During this hour, Katie Chambers and I talked about what it takes to go from idea to finished manuscript.
This was a new experience for me and I wasn’t perfect, but hopefully folks learned some useful tidbits. For me, the best part for me was chatting with folks about what they’re working on.
If you missed it, here’s the replay:
📚 What This Author Reads
Books I’ve read that you just might love.
— Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
The final book in The Hunger Games series and revolution is underway. Against all odds and at the cost of many lives, Katniss survives the arena, but is she willing to serve as a pawn to the next potentially corrupt leader?
Rather than noticing parallels with our current reality, what hit me most was the theme of manipulation: Katniss, Peeta, Gale… Each must wrestle with choices, beliefs, and who they are in the face of pressure.
My takeaway? We must act with intention, trust ourselves, and question authority.
— The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
The book opens shortly before the world is demolished to make way for an intergalactic bypass. We meet Arthur Dent, who is understandably upset about this development, and Ford Prefect, who is not… because he’s an intergalactic hitchhiker.
If you enjoy British wit and sci-fi that takes a very clever look at the absurdity of bureaucracy, human behavior, and the general chaos of existence, this is one you might enjoy! Personally, I think it’s brilliant.
Do you agree with Adams’ answer to the secret of life, the universe, and everything? I do.
👉If you need a copy of Mockingjay, click HERE or at ThriftBooks.
👉If you need a copy of The Hitchhiker’s Guide, click HERE or at ThriftBooks.
👉If you’d like to suggest a book for me to read, please do!
On the Non-Work Front 😊
Kyle, accompanied by award-winning pianist Ryo Yanagitani, at the historic Evermay Estate. They performed songs from Dear Evan Hansen, Oklahoma, Waitress, Steel Pier, The Greatest Showman, and more. 💖
That’s all for now! I’ll be back next week with Five Minutes of Fabulosity to help you navigate life’s ups and downs.
Warmly,
Ally
