October 2021

Happy October, Readers!

October is one of my favorite months of the year here in the Pacific Northwest. Temperatures, along with leaves, fall dramatically and the change in season ushers in needed rain. Over the weekend, Michael and I harvested the last of our beans and carrots and trimmed woody shrubs in preparation for winter. But in between clouds and rain, the Pacific Northwest can also stun this time of year with crisp, bluebird days and spectacular sunsets.

This month, I’m looking forward to the first in-person gathering of my book club, The Wormettes, in more than 18 months, as well as my first (!) in-person book club event for Answer Creek, which came out in Spring 2020. And, of course, the best part of the month, seeing grandchildren just before Hallowe’en.

Otherwise, you’ll find me cozied up in front of a fire drinking steaming cups of tea with lemon and honey and wearing oversized sweaters and fuzzy socks as I decide which book to pick up next.

Wherever October finds you, I hope you’re surrounded by books, too.

 

Publishing News:

Hardland goes to the editor in November and proofreader in December before landing on the publisher’s desk January 3, 2022. The cover designers are busy—one of my favorite parts of the publishing journey. I’ll announce the final cover here in the spring.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month:

As a survivor of domestic violence as a young woman, I’m committed to posting every day this month about domestic abuse on social media.

Violence at the hands of an intimate partner is central to Hardland. The bad news, both in fiction and in real life, is violence from a boyfriend, girlfriend, or spouse will not change.

The good news is there is help. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is open 27/7 365 days of the year at 1-800-799-SAFE. All calls are confidential. If you are in a toxic relationship, or if someone you know is being abused, please speak up and speak out. Courage is stronger than fear; love is stronger than hate.

To listen to a recent podcast I recorded about my story, go to Stories that Empower by Sean Farjadi.

To follow me on social media:

Instagram: ashleysweeneyauthor

Facebook: ashleysweeneyauthor

Twitter: ashleysweeney57

Conference Updates: 

I was thrilled to receive the WILLA Literary Award for Historical Fiction this past weekend from Women Writing the West. The winner is Wild Rivers, Wild Rose by Sarah Birdsall and the other finalist, along with Answer Creek, is The Streel: A Deadwood Mystery by Mary Logue. I’ve ordered both to add to my stack.

 

Audiobook Giveaway:

The winner of the Answer Creek audiobook is Sally Schmidt! Congratulations, Sally! The Chirp deal for the audiobook runs through mid-November, so fly on over to Chirp to download my audiobook for $3.99. Audiobooks make great holiday gifts, too.

Five-Star Reads from Newsletter Readers

Klara and the Sun, by Kazuo Ishiguro

The Last Beekeeper, by Siya Turabi

Eternal, by Lisa Scottline

The Mystery of Mrs. Christie, by Marie Benedict

Then She Was Gone, by Lisa Jewell

Indelible, by Laurie Buchanan

I’ll leave you with one of my favorite writing quotes from famous female authors that translates to life itself:

The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me. —Ayn Rand

Until next month, Happy Reading!

Ashley