Santa Shirley with her grandmother's black shawl

Santa Shirley with her grandmother's black shawl

Did you know my book-to-be book has fans?

I’m blushing here, because I didn’t give them this name, but that’s what Facebook calls the special pages you “like,” in contrast to the personal pages where you “friend” each other.

I place blog posts on my website and on the Shirley Hershey Showalter page. The page is not yet a year old, and it has a thriving community of 194 engaged readers who share an interest not only in my Mennonite memoir but in reading, writing, thinking, and laughing. You know, that great liberal arts stuff!

When I asked the “fans” if they wanted me to just post the cover Herald Press created a few weeks ago or create an event, they voted for event. So there’s going to be one.

Here’s how you can join the event to be held December 28, 2: 15 p.m., in my home and also on line.

1. “Like” the fan page if you haven’t done so already. Details will follow there.

2. Sign up here to get an email tomorrow with instructions. You will also be able to download my ebooklet “How to Write a Memoir” and short weekly emails with writing prompts for your own reflection.

Sign Up to join my virtual cover reveal party!

3. If you don’t use Facebook, ask your questions about the event below. I will answer them here. Next Monday, I’ll explain how you can overcome the barriers of time and space and join a group in my living room even if you are in Manilla or Chicago or Paris.

Any questions? I’m very excited to be at this stage with you and with my book. Thanks so much for your encouragement, comments, and challenges as the memoir and the blog have evolved over the last three and a half years.

Shirley Showalter

17 Comments

  1. Linda Hoye on December 26, 2012 at 2:09 pm

    I’m so excited for you, Shirley!

  2. Tina Barbour on December 26, 2012 at 2:47 pm

    I am excited for you and your book, Shirley! I know you have worked so hard and put so much time and heart into it. And this next step is wonderful!

  3. Laurie Gray on December 29, 2012 at 7:41 am

    Congratulations on a brilliant cover! I wasn’t able to join the live stream yesterday afternoon, but was so pleased to find the video available at the same link this morning. What a wonderful event! Thank you for sharing so much of yourself and your writing and publishing process with other writers and fans. Meeting your editor and getting a glimpse of her perspective was a special treat. I am so looking forward to the book’s release in September!

  4. admin on December 29, 2012 at 8:46 am

    Linda, Tina, and Laurie. Thanks so much for your enthusiastic response and participation. You are all so generous with sharing and commenting. You have made my day. I’m sitting here looking at a beautiful, gentle snow fall, thinking about my children and grandchildren who have returned to their homes, savoring all the good times we had in the last week.

    The “reveal” was a kind of family project, with the technological support coming from my son-in-law and daughter and the idea for how to do it coming from my son. It’s very gratifying to have them on my team and to have so many good friends of this book like the three of you, eager to participate in the process. I am deeply grateful!

  5. Richard Gilbert on December 29, 2012 at 4:22 pm

    Just caught up by watching the video. Nice job, all around. Congrats on a great cover and unveiling!

    • admin on December 29, 2012 at 6:39 pm

      Good to know that a man of impeccable taste approves. 🙂 That gives me strength for tomorrow.

      Thanks, Richard.

  6. Linda Lochridge Hoenigsberg on December 31, 2012 at 8:49 am

    Missed the deadline, but I’d love to sit in your living room any time! Thank you for putting this together!

  7. shirleyhs on December 31, 2012 at 8:57 am

    Hi, Linda. The great thing about the set-up my children designed for this event is that you can still come to my living room — on Youtube: http://bit.ly/RnKA6A

    Thanks so much for joining the party!!

  8. Kathleen Friesen on January 2, 2013 at 1:29 pm

    I enjoyed watching the video earlier today. I appreciated the wonderful questions and all of the information shared. I’m intrigued by the revision binder …

    Best wishes as the process continues to unfold!

  9. shirleyhs on January 2, 2013 at 5:25 pm

    Thanks, Kathleen. It was a joyful afternoon. Now to kick the cold that has been hanging around too long since then and to get back to that binder for the final revisions! Thanks so much for your support. I can’t tell you what it means to me.

  10. Karen Fisher-Alaniz on January 4, 2013 at 11:44 pm

    Shirley – that’s fabulous! What a great way to celebrate the new cover of your book! It’s such an important part of the publishing process. I cried when I saw the cover of my book! Congratulations to you! ~Karen

  11. shirleyhs on January 5, 2013 at 11:53 am

    You know the feeling, Karen. Thanks for leaving this comment. Now I’m off to look at the cover of YOUR book! Happy New Year.

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