Monday night was an incredible night.

I know that a few weeks ago I likened sharing a book with the world to the process of growing and birthing a baby. Well, if I’m going to stick with lifetime milestone event analogies, I’m going to say that the Close Quarters Launch Party felt like a wedding. So, so many of my people… from childhood neighbors and teachers to current co-workers, from my best friends from my prior town to my current Bingo besties. Family and friends. Fellow writers and even a few strangers who took a chance and joined the celebration. Everywhere I looked I was surrounded by kind and supportive people who chose to come and share in the joy of my new book. To say I am grateful is an understatement.

I’d like to thank the La Crosse Distillery for taking a chance on a new-to-them author and providing their spectacular second floor loft space as well as delicious food. Their hospitality reached beyond great waitstaff to attentive management and extra efforts. (In addition to all that I already mentioned, they found my picky-eater kids hot dogs for dinner, even though they aren’t on the menu!) Thank you John and staff for everything!

I’d also like to thank the area businesses who contributed SWAG for the evening, and/or who stopped by just to “see what this was all about”. Olive Juice Quilts, The Freight House, The Charmant, Goli’s Avenues of Travel, Landmark Properties, Java Vino, The Weber Theater and Lamke Tree Farm - I appreciate your generosity, time and presence. I’m so glad that you could be a part of my big night and that you were happy to be included in my La Crosse story.

And finally, thank you to my family. My mom sold books all night long, managing the crowd and transactions like the seasoned HR manager and former sales lady she is. Thank you to my dad for “working the crowd” and making everyone feel both seen and welcome at the party. To my husband, the best right hand man of them all, thank you for carrying heavy stuff up and down the stairs, getting whatever I need, no matter how late I asked for it, and for still looking at me like I’m not crazy while I attempt to make a name for myself in this big book world. And last but not least, thank you to my sons, or should I say, the party tour-guides? Kameron and Riley diligently (and politely) told every guest where to go and what to do, so that they could maximize their launch party experience. One of my most heartwarming highlights of the night was when Kameron bid his entire allowance savings ($36.77, EVERY PENNY) on the original cover art, that was being sold via silent auction, so that I could have it. Never fear, another generous soul had the same thought, and the watercolor painting will forever be hanging in my writing office. Speaking of the cover, thank you again to Rachel Wunsch for making my book-cover-dreams come true with your artistic skills.

Despite the fact that I am a word nerd, I’m running out of words to share just how much all of this meant to me. So instead of rambling on and on, I’ll close by sharing a few pictures of the night.

If you’d like an autographed copy of Close Quarters and haven’t had the chance to get your hands on it yet, just email me and we can work out the details. Or, you can buy it at Olive Juice Quilts or The Local Maven. The book, as are all of my books, is always available (sans signature) on Amazon,

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, for helping me celebrate my newest release.

Until next time, all my word nerd love,

Amanda

P.S. For those interested, Champion Chocolatier #3 is up next in my writing queue and then most likely Close Quarters #2 after that! No matter what I’m end up working on, I promise I’ll keep you posted.

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