Book tour diaries: part one

Adventures in Washington plus a giveaway

Oh hi there :)

It’s me. I’m now officially a published author and illustrator!

HOW TO PEE YOUR PANTS: THE RIGHT WAY is officially out in the world. Wahoooooo!

I’ve been up to my eyeballs in shenanigans, so I thought I’d share with you a few funny and sweet anecdotes from the first part of my book tour—in personal diary format. (I love it when other people do diary posts, because I’m super curious about people…cough cough nosy…so this will be fun.)

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Wednesday, October 9

I’m going to my first ever estate sale tomorrow. I’m a bit weirded out by it, but I’m going anyway because I’ve been trying to find a flat file cabinet that isn’t a million dollars, and I FOUND ONE. At an architect’s house. Who passed away and I’m now going to his house. Weird.

This adventure requires a long drive, but it happens to be near Brick & Mortar Books where I’m doing my debut launch event, so I’m making a day of it. Going to drop off some PFF (pee friends forever) stickers for book orders!

I’m feeling a bit nervous as the big debut events get closer. Like what happens if no one shows? I know I’ll have fun no matter what, but I do worry a bit about letting the bookstore down.

Also I shared my unhinged Halloween unboxing video today. People are going to see just how weird my brain is, and I don’t know if that is wise ;)

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Thursday, October 10

Did you know that you don’t always have to drive to estate sales to buy things? I didn’t, but another lady did and she ended up purchasing the flat file over the phone while I was cluelessly jamming out in my car for the hour and a half drive.

They told me I could go look at the cabinet though (so thoughtful), and I was hoping it would be ugly or something, but it was just as beautiful as I thought it would be. Then, because I had invested so much time in the drive, I felt like I should probably look around to make the trip worth it.

…Is it weird that I bought a dead person’s shirt? Is it bad to call them a dead person? I don’t know, but that’s somehow what happened. Oh, and I also got a carved wooden trashcan because I really needed one of those. (Why Rachel, why?)

My visit to Brick & Mortar was so great. Dan (the co-owner) somehow discerned my nerves and reminded me that, even if no one shows up, I can have fun hanging out with the booksellers. And then Rachel (the amazing event planner) showed me the pile of preorders all ready for the event. I almost cried.

Luckily I now have a fancy trashcan to hold all of my tissues.

Friday, October 11

I’m finishing up some original art to give away at my virtual sneak peek party tomorrow. Aaron volunteered (by marrying me) to be the guy in the chair helping me write down names in a big spreadsheet for the giveaway. We are using a random number generator (I know, we keep it high tech).

I have no idea how to use instagram live, so I plan to embarrass myself. Sounds like a good plan, right?

Saturday, October 12

I didn’t embarrass myself.

Well, technically I blacked out a little and have no idea what I said, so I might have embarrassed myself. I did tell my pee pants story. And wonderful friends popped in and said lovely things in the chat and cheered me on and I felt so loved.

I had doubts about doing an event before the book actually came out, but it ended up being really fun. Something about the “sneak peek” — emphasis on sneaky — made it feel less pressurey than a launch party. Feeling grateful today.

Jolie and me

Sunday, October 13

I got to party with the talented author Jolie Stekly to celebrate our short stories in THE HAUNTED STATES OF AMERICA anthology. Liberty Bay Books in Poulsbo is the cutest store, and the owner Suzanne is delightful. We played a spooky version of would you rather, munched on cookies, shared excerpts of our stories, and finished with a Q&A. (Jolie’s story is incredible by the way.)

We ended the night with a gal pal dinner. My heart is full. Mostly because I have a beautiful wooden trash can at home. But also because people were so kind to come out and support Jolie and me and the bookstore. Book people are the best.

Monday, October 14

Ah, I’ve got so much to do today! The launch event is tomorrow and then we are driving to Utah for some more fun. I’m behind on emails and social media stuff and book stuff…how do people juggle all of this? Definitely a steep learning curve. Just trying to remind myself that it is all an experiment. That I have the time and space to learn. That I don’t have to be perfect.

Too bad reminding myself is #100 on the to do list ;)

I feel like these facial expressions capture some of the playful fun Martha and I had together. She is hilarious. And yes, we are wearing bubble wrap capes.

Tuesday, October 15

Morning

It’s the big day!!!! To honor Little Rachel, I wanted to do a funny video that pays homage to the title sequence of Footloose. But I ran out of time! I know I probably should just let it go, but I’ve had this idea for a whole year. So I’m just going to do a quick version of it anyway. Am I insane? Yes.

K, did it! Is it as polished as I’d like? No. But I’m calling it a win. Now I just need to put on my fancy dress — green plaid just like my main character’s pants because why not — and head out to Martha Brockenbrough’s for some final event prep.

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Afternoon

Puppy time! Martha’s lil’ Bonnie is getting so big. Adam (Martha’s husband) was so kind to help prep a charcuterie board for the bookstore staff while Aaron and I stuffed our faces with delicious tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches and banana pudding.

When I read Martha’s books, I always love seeing how much care she puts into the tiniest of details — her word choice feels particular and energetic and zingy. When I look at Martha’s home (and snarf her chef-level food), I see the same thing — beautiful details and thoughtful craft. She inspires me.

That’s Aaron and my dog Annie and my cousin Holly and her husband Franklin (love them both so much!)

Evening

Wow, I can’t believe how many friends were able to come! I know it is a busy time of year for people, and it takes a lot to attend in-person events, so it felt like a huge gift.

And there were so many friends attending in spirit as well. Like one called in to buy a bunch of my books to give away. And others sent flowers with a happy birthday balloon to greet me when I arrived! I didn’t even know you could do that! (I’m taking notes on how to pass on the kindness to other debut friends in the future because it truly made me feel special.)

Martha and I wore bubble wrap capes (if you read the book, you’ll know why) as she asked me questions (incredible ones! And she made me laugh and feel at ease) and then I read my book.

Can I just say that one of the best feelings in the world is making people laugh? After staring at this book for so long, I didn’t know if the jokes would be funny or not. But I got some laughs, and even shared some sweet moments with kid readers.

A little girl asked me if it was my birthday (because of the balloon) which prompted her to share every single one of her family member’s birthdates. Another girl asked if I had any more books, and when I told her about TO CATCH A GHOST which comes out next year, her jaw dropped in excitement. I’m so grateful for these moments of connection with little readers! They really are incredible.

Look, I’m signing books!

I finished the event by signing books, giving away PFF stickers, and signing the bookstore wall next to other authors and illustrators I admire so much (what?!). And then we finished off the fun with a musical chairs book game (a small group of us purchased books and the staff picked out surprise ones for us!). It made me feel like a kid again to dance around a pile of books until the music stopped and leave with a surprise book.

I am so incredibly grateful for the dear friends who came. Those there in spirit. The amazing bookstore staff. Those who have been there for me through the ups and downs of making the book (especially Aaron who had to put up with a lot along the way.) If Little Rachel saw even a glimpse of this week, her jaw would drop open in excitement—just like the little girl at the event.

Wednesday, October 16

We woke up early to pack a week’s worth of stuff for the book tour adventure part two: Utah! I’m now sitting in a hotel after an 8 hour drive writing this to you.

What will this next pee pants adventure bring?

I don’t know. But I’m excited to find out.

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Original art giveaway

The random generator has spoken and the winners are:

Elayne Crain

and

Child + Line by Sasha Kahn

Please DM me with your address as soon as you have a moment :)

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Trade-sies!

Now it’s your turn. It’s that special kid table moment when you trade your dad’s famous chocolate chip cookies for your favorite fruit snacks.

Choose one or more kid table vibes to share:

1. Have you ever been to an estate sale?

2. Have you ever bought a delicately carved wooden trashcan? (If not, consider yourself influenced!)

3. What is one thing someone has done for you that made you feel special? Or one thing that you’ve done for yourself lately to feel special?

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A big thank you to the sponsors of this post!

Thanks to Whiskey Geraldine for our podcast music and Joanna Rowland, Marietta Apollonio, Saki Tanaka, Angela Pham Krans, Nyasha Williams, Pamela A Mathy, and Martha Brockenbrough for sponsoring this newsletter.

(Paid subscriptions are on pause at the moment while I catch up on the time I was away.)

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Thanks for sitting with me AT THE KID TABLE today.

Until next time! As always I’ll save you a seat right next to me.

Your officially-a-published-author-and-can’t-believe-it friend,

Rachel