Louise Miller's Blog: snapshots

Hello friends! One of my favorite things about being a published author is getting to meet aspiring writers and helping them along the path. Being a late-blooming writer myself, I want more than anything to help people get started on their creative dreams--ideally sooner than I did! I have begun teaching a workshop I first developed for the Boston Book Festival titled Now is the Absolute Best Time to Start--A Workshop for Writers Who Don't Know Where to Begin. My November class is sold out, but I have just opened up a new session in Boston January 11th. The description is below.

This workshop is perfect for new writers, or for writers who are feeling blocked--basically it is for anyone who wants to be writing but isn't.

If you would like to hear more about it, just drop me a line at louisemillerauthor@gmail.com or click here to send me a message:
http://www.louisemiller.net/contact

Cheers,
Louise

Now is the Absolute Right Time to Start
A Workshop for Writers Who Don't Know Where to Begin

Many writers have spent months, even years dreaming about writing that novel (or short story or essay) but never seem to be able to get actual words down on paper. This workshop is designed to help writers move past their blocks and fears, get their butts in the chairs, and get writing. Over the weekend we will engage in exercises designed to help the writers free up their thinking, brainstorm new ideas, work with their inner critics, and create a realistic writing schedule. We will spend part of the time devoted to short writing exercises with prompts to get that pen moving, and engage with the process of giving and receiving feedback. Writers will have the opportunity to share their work with the group. Participants will leave with the beginnings of new writing projects, new tools to help them keep writing, and resources to help them find and create the writing life they have always dreamed of.

Hello Friends! I hope you are having a marvelous autumn, and that your kitchens are smelling sweet with the baking of pies for Thanksgiving.

The next issue of my newsletter will include my recipe for Maple Walnut Tart, and a book giveaway! I will be giving away signed copies of both The City Baker's Guide to Country Living AND The Late Bloomers' Club in time for holiday giving. If you would like to receive the newsletter, (and the link to the giveaway) sign up here:
https://tinyletter.com/louisemiller

I hope you all have a cheery Thanksgiving and a wonderful holiday season. Check back here in December for some of my gift-giving book recommendations!

love,
Louise

Hello friends! It has been a whirlwind of a couple of weeks since The Late Bloomers' Club has come out. A huge thank you to all of you early readers for reading, rating and reviewing the book--I am so grateful for your support and enthusiasm!

I had a very cheerful launch at my most beloved bookstore, Brookline Booksmith, as well as several events in Rhode Island, including an event at Savoy Books in Westerly--what a beautiful store!

Speaking of indie bookstores, I had the pleasure of writing about what they mean to me for Signature Reads. If you would like to check it out, here is the link: http://www.shelf-awareness.com/theshe...

If you are vacationing on the south shore of MA or Cape Cod next week, I have several events in the area--i'd love it if you came by to say hello! Here are the dates:

8/8 Cohasset, MA 7pm Buttonwood Books--Dinner with the Authors event--advance reservations needed
8/9 Brewster, MA 10-12 Brewster Bookstore--signing
8/9 Sandwich, MA 7pm Titcomb's Bookshop reading, signing and q&a

I hope you all are having a wonderful summer, full of good books, ice cream, warm weather, delicious corn and tomatoes, swimming outdoors, and friends and family.

Cheers,
Louise

My friends at Viking are giving away 100 copies of The Late Bloomers’ Club! Click on the link below to enter. Good luck!!!

https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sh...

Hi Friends,

Just wanted to let you know that The City Baker's Guide to Country Living eBook is on sale for $1.99! I am so happy to be able to make The City Baker's Guide available to readers on a budget. Please share with readers who love eBooks and readers who love a bargain!

https://www.amazon.com/City-Bakers-Gu...

I am also holding an ARC giveaway of my forthcoming title The Late Bloomers' Club for my newsletter subscribers. If you would like to enter, head on over to tinyletter and sign up! Here is the link:

https://tinyletter.com/louisemiller

and here is a video of baby goats running and jumping, just because

https://youtu.be/_2_-i_cohMM

Hope you are enjoying this cheerful spring!
warmly,
Louise

Hello, Goodreads Friends,

Today is my favorite holiday of the whole year—Academy awards day. I once dreamt that I won an Oscar—for best viewer! I gave a speech and everything. Movies are a great love of mine, almost as a great a love as books, and I like nothing more than to eat popcorn and watch the acceptance speeches and critique all the dresses and cry along with the actors. It’s my Super Bowl.

It has been an exciting winter so far. My partner and I went to Iceland, which was incredible—the landscape was like nothing I have ever seen, and I was so inspired by the way that Icelanders accept—and take advantage of—nature, instead of trying to conquer it (or ignore it all together.) I now have a pretty decent skyr (Icelandic yogurt) obsession, a new appreciation of licorice, and a deep longing to bathe in a hot spring everyday. The weather didn’t allow us to see the northern lights (one of the inspirations for our trip) but that just means we have an excuse to go back.

I turned in the last of the edits to my new novel, The Late Bloomers' Club at the end of January, and I am getting very excited for the launch! It comes out on July 17th. While it isn’t a sequel to The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living, it does take place back in Guthrie, Vermont, and, since Guthrie is a small town, of course there had to be a few cameos! It was such a pleasure to return to my little fictional town, and to get to know new characters. My main character, Nora Huckleberry, is the owner of the Miss Guthrie diner. I hope you love her as much as I do—she feels like a dear friend to me now.

If you are a blogger, a librarian, or a press-type person, and would like to read an advance copy, The Late Bloomers’ Club is available for request at Netgalley and Edelweiss! Here are the links:
https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/boo...
https://www.edelweiss.plus/#catalogID...

If you think you might like to read The Late Bloomers’ Club, it would mean the world to me to have you shelve it on your TBR shelf here on Goodreads. Shelving books on Goodreads, requesting books at your library, and rating and writing reviews are all free ways you can help authors get the word out, and I think I can speak for all writers when I say we really appreciate your support! And I’ll be sure to let you know when my publisher is offering ARC giveaways—that should be happening soon.

Here in the northeast, I have spotted blooming witch hazel, snow drops and fuzzy pussy willows all in the past week. Spring is coming, my friends. I cannot wait to get my hands into the dirt of my community garden plot.

May we all enjoy these last cozy weeks indoors with our books and movies, before the lure of warm weather brings us all back into the light.

Warmly,
Louise

Hello, Goodreads friends! I hope this finds you well, full of happiness and ready to eat a lot of pie.

It has been a jam-packed autumn here in Boston. I turned in the final revision of my 2nd novel, The Late Bloomers' Club, to my editor at the end of October. A week later, the paperback edition of The City Baker's Guide to Country Living hit the bookstore shelves, with a brand new cover! It has been a thrilling time, and I find myself feeling grateful for all of it.

I wanted to share a few links with you before I dive into holiday baking.

There is a Goodreads giveaway of the paperback edition of The City Baker's Guide happening for only a few more hours! Click here to enter:
https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sh...

I just sent out my quarterly newsletter, which includes the recipe for my favorite apple cake, and a sneak peek at the cover of The Late Bloomers' Club! To sign up, click here: https://tinyletter.com/louisemiller

If your book club is interested in reading The City Baker's Guide to Country Living now that it is in paperback, Penguin has an online reader's guide here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/bo...
And please keep in mind--I LOVE book groups visits and would be delighted to join you in person (in the Boston area) or via Skype! Leave a comment below to make a plan.

Lastly, I had the great pleasure of creating a playlist inspired by The City Baker's Guide for one of my favorite book blogs, Largehearted Boy. You can check that out here: http://www.largeheartedboy.com/blog/a...
And do look at the archives--I can almost guarantee that your some of your favorite authors have made a playlist for one of their books.

Thank you so much for all of your support and good cheer over the last year--I am so thankful for all of you! Happiest of Thanksgivings, and a joyful holiday season.

warmly,
Louise

All of my love to anyone affected by Hurricane Harvey, and this terrifying flooding. It has been absolutely heartbreaking to watch from up here in Boston. I wish there were more I could do other than make donations--I'll keep making them until we come up with a better solution! I just wanted you all to know how sorry I am that you are going through this. love and strength. L

Hello Friends!

Happiest 4th of July to all of you. The 4th of July has always felt like the real official beginning of summer to me. We stop serving dinner at my work for July and August, so the kitchen is usually quiet. Now that work has quieted down I can spend more time working in the garden. Our community garden plot is starting to get that wonderful full feeling. I love to stop by in the early mornings to see all the changes--there is something new to see every day. I take A LOT of pictures of the garden and post them on Instagram--here is a picture of my newest bloom, the snapdragon!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BV9hy4uDJ...

This summer has been defined by the due date of my second book--July 31st. We are headed to a small beach town in Rhode Island after the 4th, where I will be focused on finishing the draft for my editor. I'm really excited about the book. It takes place back in Guthrie, Vermont, but has all new characters. The main character is the owner of the Miss Guthrie Diner. More updates soon!

I'm also getting ready to launch the paperback edition of The City Baker's Guide to Country Living, which comes out on November 9th. I am totally in love with the cover. I love the original cover too-but the paperback cover is so Vermonty. And the colors! Here is where you can sneak a peek:
https://tmblr.co/Z3kyxk2J2HfVx

I have all sorts of fun ideas about how I would like to celebrate the paperback, and most of them revolve around BAKE-OFFS. APPLE PIE BAKING CONTESTS.I cannot express how excited I am about this.

To celebrate the year anniversary of the book's original publication, I am giving away 5 signed, first edition copies of The City Baker's Guide on Goodreads, starting on July 9th. Maybe you would like an extra copy to give to a friend? Or maybe one to donate to a little free library? Here is the link if you would like to enter:
https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sh...

What i'm reading: So excited to dig into Mackenzie Lee's YA romp The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue!

What i'm watching: The Great British Baking Show, of course. Did you know that if you are a PBS member you can stream ALL OF THE EPISODES? Plus all the British costume dramas and awesome documentaries you can take? It's the best $60 I have ever spent.

random cheer: For my birthday, back in April, we traveled up to a farm in Maine where they let you hold the baby goats. This is my idea of paradise. I can barely stand having to wait until next spring to do it again.
here is a picture: https://www.instagram.com/p/BTxZeTrjm...
Someday I will have a goat farm. Someday.

Cheeriest summer to you all! I hope your holiday is filled with friends, spectacular fireworks, grilled foods of your choosing, and, of course, pie.
xo
Louise

Hi friends! In celebration of Pi day, we are giving away four Pi--um--PIE related books! Amy Reichert's fabulous Luck, Love and Lemon Pie, Susan Bishop Crispell's charming debut The Secret Ingredient of Wishes, my own The City Baker's Guide to Country Living and a fantastic pie baking guide-- Kate McDermott's The Art of the Pie. To enter, head over to my Facebook author page or twitter account and share or retweet the giveaway post to enter (posts pinned to the top.)
Good luck!
https://www.facebook.com/louisemiller...
https://twitter.com/louisethebaker