One of the best things about being an author is the opportunity to meet other writers. Whether through social media or in-person events, the ability to network, engage, and learn provides growth and friendship. Sometimes those connections even lead to collaboration, even partnership, in projects.

I belong to two local writer’s groups; we meet monthly to share our work, to encourage and critique, and to learn from one another. Through these sessions, I’ve grown as a writer and been encouraged to continue in my craft. I’ve also conducted booksignings with several of these Casper writers, and we’re looking to do more together soon.

Earlier this summer, I traveled to Deadwood, South Dakota, to attend Wild Deadwood Reads. I met people in person I’d only met online during the past year, and I made connections with three Wyoming writers I’d never met before. We’ve become friends and with at least one, possibly two, we may look to share booksignings in the state together, if not this year, then next.

About three years ago, I met another romance author online; in December 2019, we gathered in person, sharing coffee, ideas, and books. Her name is Casey Peeler, and since that in-person meeting, we’ve collaborated on an author video and read more of each other’s work and shared those stories with people. Now, we’re embarking upon a collaboration with other romance authors on a project bringing books and beauty to others. Hardcover Therapy is a membership project that launches in October. Anyone who would like to receive new romance book and some beauty products every month can sign up.

If you’re looking for a fun, new take on books and would like to pamper yourself a little bit each month, Hardcover Therapy is for you! Each month we will feature a romance author with a paperback, two products that go along with the story, and a surprise item. You’ll also receive membership to a Facebook community to talk each day about books & beauty!

More than 20 authors, including Casey and me, have committed. Each box is valued at more than $110, and the focus of the books are clean and wholesome, sweet, small town romance. Membership is limited to 100 individuals at launch, and all profits will go to the Nourish the Children Foundation.

If this sounds like your jam, jump onto the list by Friday, July 30, 2021! Full details will hit your inbox August 2, 2021. Sign up here: https://forms.gle/fwct6NBkHi2vmvyc9.

Joining other authors at in-person or online events, for projects like Hardcover Therapy, or to simply encourage and help one another is a joy and honor.

I’m also excited to be a part of an upcoming anthology developed by Catherine Lawton at Cladach Publishing. The Animals in Our Lives: Stories of Companionship and Awe releases next month. Within the pages, readers will find 44 short stories from various writers about animals that impacted them. These include pets, farm animals, and wild animals. The book is currently on pre-order; find more information about this compilation as well as the opportunity to pre-order here: https://bit.ly/2WvhY4B_AnimalsinLives_Print.

Collaboration and partnerships among writers provides readers the opportunity to be introduced to different authors and for those authors to meet new readers. I hope you will take time to get to know Casey Peeler, Catherine Lawton, and the other writers featured in The Animals in Our Lives book, and that you will consider joining Hardcover Therapy and ordering The Animals … book. Reading sweet and inspiring stories brings a calm to one’s life and a smile to one’s face – and don’t we need those things in our lives?

Happy reading!

Pet Principle

Pets are partners in life. Their loyalty, devotion, and companionship enrich our lives. That’s why many authors write about pets; that’s one reason I do. In a way, animals collaborate with authors and other writers (for example, those that write animal stories for magazines). If you haven’t experienced the joy of sharing life with a dog, cat, hamster, rabbit, or other animal, I hope you will consider adopting a pet. Or, if some time has passed since you did share life with a beloved companion animal, consider adopting again soon. More than 800,000 dogs, cats, bunnies, guinea pigs, and other companion animals are still euthanized every year in the United States due to lack of adoptions at animal shelters and humane societies, and most of these are healthy and of good behavior. You can save a life (or two!) by adopting a pet from a rescue, animal shelter, or humane society. Check out Petfinder to find your next loyal animal companion! https://www.petfinder.com/

Gayle and her rescued shih tzu, Jeremiah, a former puppy mill dog.