This was the subject line of the email I received from my publisher last week. As far as printing goes, all things have been finalized (manuscript, cover art, back cover blurb) and signed off on by me. Kristina is officially passing me off to the publicity team, who will be in touch when they have a confirmed release date. I’m starting to feel like this book will be old enough to vote by the time it’s finally available. At every stage, I think, “This has to be the final step!” But then I remember my expectations when I first started writing this book in November 2018. When I told Tim over dinner one night that I had decided to do this, I said, “It may take me five years to write this book and you and Reagan may be the only two people who ever read it, but I’m going for it.” Here we are five years later. Now comes the fun part…marketing! I’ve read several articles about how to promote yourself or your book and each one makes me queasy. If I follow all of the rules, I’m afraid everyone will be so sick of hearing about my book, that they will boycott its release. It helps that I have a publicity team, so I won’t have to figure this out on my own. It’s been suggested in these articles that my social media content should be polished and carefully curated. Cucumbers in Heaven is me at my most raw and vulnerable. Manufacturing a bunch of shiny happy content doesn’t jive with my story. I’m not saying that my book is a depressing read; there’s lots of not-so-heavy content. But it is honest. It pains me to think about trying to become something I’m not for the sake of selling a few books. With all that said, you shouldn’t be surprised if my Facebook and Instagram posts become very book-centered. I’m sorry.

Much has happened in the two months since my last post. I’m officially self-employed! Fall has been VERY busy for me with hundreds of plants and bulbs to put in the ground. I’m trying to improve my record-keeping skills, so I’ve been spending lots of time buried in spreadsheets. The fundraiser in October was a success. The final table count was 48, plus two taller arrangements for the welcome tables. I don’t know how, but I managed to make a centerpiece for every table (with help from a friend a couple of hours before delivery). We received very positive feedback on the arrangements. It was nerve-wracking and I felt like I was gonna barf a few times, but I pulled it off and was pleased with the overall product. The first pic is of the welcome table arrangements, then three pics of centerpieces.

Tim and I just returned from a weekend trip to NYC, celebrating our 30th anniversary! Yes, I am a southern girl who very much hates winter and cold, but NYC at Christmastime has been on my bucket list for many, many years. While I don’t think either of us could call it a romantic getaway, we did have some fun. I’ve been to New York four times now, and each time gets louder and more crowded than the time before. I’m relishing the solitude and quiet at home today. In other family news, Reagan will be graduating from MTSU this Saturday! No postgrad plans have been confirmed yet, but we are super proud of her accomplishments thus far. 

Two weeks from today, I will be on my way to the Yucatan. Tim will accompany me to Chelem and then return to Nashville just before New Year’s. I’ve been accumulating some books on my very lengthy reading list and placing holds on audiobooks through our local library. I also have a long list of TV shows to binge. I’ll have lots of time to dream and plan for Melmac Florals’ 2024 season. Tim usually visits me halfway through my stay. This year (with my encouragement and blessing), he’s going on a ski trip with a friend at the end of January. Being separated for 8 whole weeks will be a challenge we haven’t had to face during my previous sabbaticals.  

Lord willin’, my next blog post will contain a book release date. All fingers and toes are crossed.