The BIG Day...

What a way to start off the year! And no, not my big day, but close! Very close.


In fact, so close, it felt in a small way like it was a little bit my big day too, thanks to the generosity and inclusive spirit of my good friend and writing pal, Veronica Rossi. Not many people would be willing to share their dream with another, but then again, there aren't many people out there like Veronica.


We meet a little over a year and a half ago in Tahoe at the famed Nevada Writer's Retreat, and then again in L.A. at the big SCBWI conference. Two strangers on the same quest, who didn't remain strangers for long.

We hit it off almost instantly, talking shop with big smiles on our faces. I remember being mesmerized by the concept she was currently writing about. The idea of a world ravaged by 'aether storms' just blew my mind. Let alone, 'smart eyes' and 'dwellers' and 'savages.' I so loved the title and wanted to read more right then and there, but there was business to attend to. Upon learning an editor from a major publishing house expressed interest in her novel, Veronica needed an agent, and a good one. It just so happened I knew such a man, and it just so happened he was there that weekend (SCBWI LA.)
(Photo of us this past SCBWI in LA, celebrating last year's good fortune.)

It was as though all the planets had aligned perfectly, the mice turned into coachmen, the pumpkin a coach, and a little bird helped with a dress. That night, Veronica met Josh at the dance and long story short, as luck would have it, we became agent sisters soon after, and from there, fast confidants and friends.

Since we've met, Veronica's helped me overcome my issues with plotting and I like to think I've helped her overcome a thing or two along the way as well. We've swapped work, and chatted, wrote countless e-mails, championed each others successes, and provided each other with a virtual shoulder to lean on when things haven't work out as planned. She even appeared as a speaker at my first ever Niagara conference!

One of my favourite memories has to be the day Josh (our agent) gave me a called, to grant me permission to call her (at last!) to find out the details of her book sale. After almost two weeks of negotiation silence between us, I was going a little bit nuts. "She's waiting by the phone," he said, and I remember hanging up, shaking while punching in her number, then gasping and laughing, shrieking and crying, (in that exact order too, I believe) when she told me her news. It was the coolest moment. The most unbelievable moment. Pigs truly flew that day. (Ironically, I came across this in a store that very day, had to buy it!)

And it couldn't have happened to a nicer, brighter, more dedicated, hard-working person. If you ever get the chance to meet Veronica Rossi, you'll instantly know what I mean.

Roll forward a year and a half, and here we are, the night before her big book signing, having dinner together at her favourite haunt in her home town. Fantastic food, fine wine, even better company. A night, a moment, I'll never forget. (Official shout out to husband Michael, who I bonded with immediately! Love that guy!)

Then, a surreal stroll down the main street of her hometown to the sight of the big gig the next day. (Here's a shot of the window.)Me, standing with her in front of her little Indie, the window chuck full of her books behind us. I still can't believe it. Too cool!

Along the way, I've made some new friends thanks to Veronica's generous spirit, one in particular who's teamed up with us to form, what I like to call, 'Joshie's Angels,' pictured here...

Not only is Lorin Oberweger another generous spirit, she is a talented writer, a visionary editor, amazing critiquer, a new agent sister, and more importantly a great friend.

Here sits a stack of books the night before the signing, just itching to be read.

A few hours later, poof, gone! 200 books, vanished!
Unbelievable, I must say.

There was a steady flow of traffic from the moment the doors open until Veronica finally staggered away from the table, hand cramped.
Line up. Can you say, LINE UP!

The place was teaming with family and friends, from all over. It was like home coming! Here I am with some writerly friends near and dear to my heart, the Nevada 'Crew.'

And one of the 'Muses,' my sweet, roomie, Katy!

And here is the famed and talented Ellen Hopkins taking photos of the newly famed and talented Veronica Rossi as she begins signing books! (Fun Fact: The Original Muses referred to themselves as Ellen's Group, (before changing their name to The Muses) after having met one another in a critique circle lead by Ellen herself.)

And more friends, from everywhere!!!

There was Champagne, and wonderful conversation, and more celebrating down the way at a local wine bar after the signing, where those in attendance sampled 'Roar,' a fine wine from the region, the name sake of one of the characters in "Never Sky." (My favourite character, BTW. Are you a Perry or a Roar fan?)

It was a wonderful celebration for a wonderful writer, person and friend. A big congratulations to Veronica on such an elegant and memorable book launch!

And a BIG thank you for sharing a small part of your dream with me.