When you wished upon a star; makes no diff'rence who what where you are; everything one's heart desires, sometimes comes to you.....

Well. Today is the day. Today Tender Graces is shipped out here, there, and yonder. Soon, people will have it - will hold it (including me!), will read it....and I hope will love it, or even just like it, but mostly I hope love it! *laughing*

By the end of the week, I'll have my first book signing. Surreal. My friend Charles Mills just made me the most beautiful glorious poster! I can't wait to show it off! There it is to the left there...isn't it beautiful? Thank you Charles! (The Author photo is by Christy L. Bishop.)

Today, I am going to distract myself by reading something for review - Adnan Mahmutovic's ILLEGITIMATE at Cantarabooks. He is such a smart lovely writer - and a handsome debbil to boot!

Soon, I will be reading my copy of Kim Richardson's The Unbreakable Child....her book was just released on April 1.

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I can't believe it is finally happening - my book...in people's hands....in libraries...in bookstores (well, I don't know how the bookstore thing will work; it won't be like you can walk into a bookstore in any city in any state and my little book will be there, people will have to ask for it, or the bookstores have to be made aware of it and order it, and etc - I do believe).

Also, I didn't even know Tender Graces was on Amazon, Target, and B&N.com - I guess I just didn't think to look, but someone emailed me and said they'd just ordered from B&N...huhn! And, I saw on Amazon my first ever review (from the publisher). I am promising myself I won't become overly concerned about the reviews there, but I know writers seem to want readers to post reviews there so there must be a reason? Here's the first review (smiling):

Kathryn Magendie's debut novel is a tour de force of lyrical storytelling, heartfelt intuitions, and exquisite detail. TENDER GRACES qualifies as an "Oprah book" in the best sense of the term: This story of a dysfunctional family who are neither all bad nor all good, but simply very flawed and human, examines a broad spectrum of marriage, childhood, emotional abuse, forgiveness and family loyalty. Warm without being overly sentimental, funny without being frivolous, and poignant without being maudlin, Tender Graces is a strong start for Magendie's career as a novelist. If you love the novels of Barbara Kingsolver, Anne Tyler and Sue Monk Kidd then this book is for you.

If you ordered Tender Graces, and receive your book without a signed bookplate, just let me know and I will make sure you get one. Even better if I could meet all of you in person and sign it, but I know I will not be able to do that and you will not be able to come here, either. As I know where I will be going, though, I'll post it-one never knows!

I'd love to do some kind of Blog Tour like many authors are doing, but haven't figured that one out yet. I am also thinking I may do a Web-cam reading... teehee - yeah....I'm going to use my cheap little ole webcam attached to my Dell laptop and record it I guess or whatever - but, I'll do a little reading and post it to utube -- at least, this is my plan...

So, my friends - thank you for your support. Soon, my books will be in some of your hands and I hope as you read you fall in love with Virginia Kate and her kin. With the West Virginia hollow (holler). With the swampy wet of South Louisiana. With the language. (With me.)

Outside the dark clouds are back; the wind picks up and blows the still-mostly-bare trees; the creek rushes and will rush faster with the added rain; all around me nature thrives in its heartbeat of survival and beauty both awful and strange and wonderful. That puts everything into perspective for me.

Take me home, or curving roads...to the place I belong! Mountain Mama; I am home....

Home. All the snow melted before I arrived and it has warmed up enough to open the door. The breeze blows the chimes and the creek rushes -- oh home on my mountain cove at Killian Knob!

Last night, our old fat raccoon came calling to the squirrel feeder. She was early --as very old people who go to cafeterias do. Oh, what am I saying? I am like an old country granny sometimes as I eat my dinner at 4'o'clock--while watching Golden Girls (when they are on).

I have so much to do, but last night I slept the sleep of one who is so exhausted they just drop down, drop far down, drop long way down, drop deep into the far reaches of nothingness of sleep. I know I dreamed at some point, but do not remember them. Far far far down I fell. Deep and heavy. I woke only two or three times. This morning when I woke, I was disoriented....where am I? What? Who? When? How? I rose from my bed, the morning sunshine slipping through the windows - and my legs were actually shaky. I blinked. I put on my robe and shuffled to splash my face with cold water. In the kitchen, I poured cup 1 of Deep Creek Blend. We later took a mountain walk to clear my head. It is still a bit swirly, but better.

I hope to get by to visit you today, but if you do not see me today, you will tomorrow. I thank you thank you for still coming by even though I have not been round your places -- please know it is only because of circumstance of the novel and travel and etc.....soon, I will have to work on the second novel draft (oh thank gawd it is partly written already!). What a problem to have though, right? *smiling* -- what a problem to have....ah.

Later my friends. Thank you to all you who have pre-ordered Tender Graces - *muwah* -- and thank you for all your kind words. and for visiting. and for commenting. For everything you do.

(And later I'll tell you some good news I have -- I'm rushing now. )

We are family; I got all my ...bloggers...with me!

( GMR painted this - I told him one day how I'd know I "made it" when I became an M&M cartoon *laughing*.... so, this is what he did...haw!)

Last day to vote for our Angie Gumbo Writer! Y'all just take a moment to click on that little thumbs up *smiling* CLICK HERE She's neck and neck with another blog! vote vote vote!

It is dark outside; I'm up quite early this morning: before Fat Lazy Lab Jake, before Good Man Roger, before the birds. It is silent, as our cove at Killian Knob can be - but through the closed windows and doors I still hear our creek -- the rains have brought it back as it was before.

I am overwhelmed at the support I am receiving from you all. To think, people I have never met face-to-face have become an important part of my life. You "see" them if not daily, then weekly. You are sad for them when they are sad, happy when they are happy. I can see some of us sitting around a table in a cafe, sharing coffee and something sweet, laughing and talking, and as we do, we are marveling at all the places we come from: here near far there yonder.

There will be no way I can do anything but say THANK YOU for all your support with Tender Graces - I only hope my words do your support justice. For TG is a love letter to everyone who reads her. As I wrote my Virginia Kate saga, I thought of all of you and all the hands that would hold her and that kept me writing and writing and writing. The thought it will soon happen just overwhelms me, but in that surreal but good way.

These days, publishing is a strange business. One never knows what will "work" and what will send books gathering dust on shelves and what makes them best-sellers. I hope the love and sincerity of my words will sell my books. I hope the story will sell it. The writing and language. I hope I do you all Proud; that is my wish.

Word of mouth - all of you - telling others about a good book you've read is, to me, one (or THE) most important thing when it comes to our books. A person reads your book and loves it and then tells someone and that person reads it and loves it and tells another and on the chain goes.

Never Ever Ever discount the important role that you, Dear Readers, have in the writer's life. I mean that in so many ways.

One day I hope to sell enough books to buy up land on this little mountain at Killian Knob so that all destruction - the cutting down of too many trees, the putting up of lights(blasphemy!), the postage-sized lots, My Muse Trail One decimated, Kayla's creek: gone....I hope that one day I can preserve what's left. I believe in having Goals - even if they seem too "out there" and lofty and hard. Maybe it'll happen, who am I to say it will not? But, I dream of walking Muse Trail One again, where the forest has taken over again, and Muse Trails Levels Two and Three remain wild as they are right now still. It is a "hard" goal, for writers do not make much money from the sale of their books: which is why we do it from Love. You may be surprised at what we make per book -- love...love....it is Love that keeps ups writing.

One more thing I have in mind: I contacted some libraries here in Western North Carolina about carrying my book and received very positive interest, but was saddened to learn that many small county libraries do not have a budget for books! Can you imagine? One of my other dreams is to help libraries --- those sanctuaries of my youth --- I am going to donate my book wherever I can; I do realize I can't do this at every library in every county (or parish of Louisiana) in every city, but, I can start somewhere. I urge you all to try to help your local libraries: donate books - it doesn't have to be mine (laughing!) - or find out how you can help. We need our libraries! We need our Independent Booksellers and Independent Presses....together, we are a strong force.



Namaste....*muwah*

Down that long long road, with many a winding turn...

Thoughts from a Woman on a Red Couch on a Tuesday afternoon when History was Made.

News announcer, "Well, all the Bush's stuff is out, except for a chest of drawers; they'll get that out later." Other announcer, "Chest of drawers ... yes, that's all that's left -last thing left..."

Mr. Obama, as he readies to be sworn in, "I wish my granny and mother were here; I can't belive this is happening, but it is. In just moments, I will be president of the US. Dang!"

Woman in crowd, "I am over-come."

Laura Bush, "It's over; finally, it's over...tomorrow I'm staying in my jammies all day without make up and my hair uncombed So THERE....wait, what about the chest of drawers?"

George Bush, "Aw hell, my grannies chesterdrawers is still in the white house. I knew I'd forget something. Can't think of everything. Always have to think of everything. Well, when I get to the ranch, I'm having me a beer! so THERE!"

President Obama, as he stands with the outgoing President Bush, "I hope Bush got his chest of drawers - my mother in law has something she wants to put there, right in that spot."

Michelle Obama, "What chest of drawers? Who cares about a chest of drawers? We are President of the United States! Whoohooo!"

Conversation between Bush and Obama: Obama, "Did you get that chest of drawers out yet?"

Bush, "Naw, not yet..."

Obama, "Why not? My mother in law has something to put there, right in that spot."

Bush, "I'll get it sheesh ...give a man time. I been busy."

Obama, "You've had 8 years to think about getting that chest of drawers outta there."

Bush, "Well, shee-it, I had other stuff on my mind. You know? You'll find out. Yup."

Obama, "Well, okay; I guess so, but don't wait too long now, okay?"

Bush, "Yep; you'll find out about your own chesterdrawers one day. yup...haw!"

Man in crowd, "I voted for the other guy, but damned if I don't feel proud right now."

A man, "My daddy's rollin over in his grave. I hope he ends up face down."

Kid standing next to his mother, "Will their new dog piddle on the floor? And who'll have to clean it up? Why can't I have a dog? I'd clean up it's piddle. And I'd feed it, too. And take it for walks. One day I'll be president so I can have a dog and someone else can clean up it's poo poo and piddle and I'll be in charge of the whole united states and I can do whatever I want, don't even have to go to bed at nine o clock anymore and I can have ice cream for supper if I want to..."

Scenes: President and Michelle Obama are holding hands, intact, a unit. Mr. and Mrs. Bush are breaking apart and coming together breaking apart and coming together; at some points Laura Bush is rushing to catch up to her husband. Laura Bush looks rather stunned, and rather relieved. Michelle Obama looks rather stunned, and rather proud.

Woman in the crowd, "Did i leave my iron on? And can Pres Obama turn it off just by the power of this thoughts?" Her friend, "You expect too much from one man." Woman, "That's right, I do." Her friend, "Well, stop it - he's just a man. A man's a man's a man." Woman, "Nope, you are wrong. This ain't just a man." Her friend, "Now, put a woman up there... " Woman, "Oh here we go..." Her friend, "Here we go nothing...a man's a man's a man, but a woman....Besides, I voted for someone else..." Woman, "I'm sure I turned that iron off...but..."

Young girl lost in the crowd, but unafraid today for the first time in a long time because everyone is smiling and happy instead of frowning and yelling, "I'll be up there one day. Up there taking that oath."

Biden thinks, Do I look handsome in this blue tie? My wife picked it out; I was doubtful, but I have to admit, I look great in it." (Meanwhile, his wife thinks, "Why cant he pick out his own ties, he's a grown man, for god's sake. I been picking out his ties for too long. This is the LAST tie I pick out.")

Hillary Clinton is thinking, of course, "It shoulda been me. it shoulda been me. Dammit!" Mr. Clinton thinks, "I'm hongry. Where's the buffet?"

The Private Note to Obama from Bush : Dear Barrack Obama, Did you know you can have whatever you want to eat anytime you want it? pistrami at 3AM - no problem! oysters in a month without an R - they can make it happen...!"

Later, that night: "Michelle, I was thinking about strawberry shortcake." "Hon, it's late..." The lights fade, the door is closed - the rest is None of Our Business...

(image from google: picasaweb.google.com)