Dear Readers,
I never begrudge July its place. I like the hot-sidewalk days of melted ice cream, bright afternoons, and gloriously warm evening walks. But before we step fully into the month, allow me to turn around and lift my hat to June. In my part of the world, June was achingly perfect—a mix of green leaves, soft golden light, slight breeze, warmth, and rainy afternoons—I will think of it for many years to come. June, please return just as you were this year. We were all in love with you.
The main purpose of my monthly newsletter (which I call The Bookshelf) is to update you on how my writing is going and how certain projects are moving along. Many of you know that my current series is called The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion. This series is an absolute riot to write and a favorite with readers. The seventh volume is coming out at the end of this summer. Speaking of…I promised to announce the release date in this newsletter. Shall I do so now?
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 7 has clocked out at about 84,136 words. The release date is…
Tuesday, August 29th
Yay! (Insert celebratory emoji.) Next month. It’s next month! I know it’s the end of next month, but the time will fly. Take comfort that it is the longest Emma yet, by almost 20,000 words. So your wait will be rewarded with the fact that there are some ridiculously long journal entries. Things…get out of hand rather quickly. Oh, Emma.
Regarding events surrounding the release of Emma 7, I am planning The Second Annual Emma M. Lion Conclave in the middle of September. That way you can read Emma 7 before we meet and I can really spill the tea. (For those of you who did not attend last year’s Conclave, it is an online gathering/Q&A that I host. Last year I think the record for the furthest distance was the Netherlands.) We had a great time.
I also have a few requests for events which I am trying to weigh with my writing time. The Orem, Utah Barnes & Noble has asked if I want them to carry my books and I also have the option of doing a book signing. Thoughts? Would any of the local readers attend? Let me know in the comments.
The Emma 7 release will be consuming much of my time this month, as well as writing future Emmas. (8, I’m looking at you. 9, you keep inviting yourself to the party. To say nothing of 11.) But I’m also preparing for next week’s St. Crispian’s Gazette! (If you’re interested in receiving the Gazette and Beth Brower’s Selected Journals, upgrade to paid below.)
Also in the works: As July is the launch of this Substack, Beth Brower Scribbles Away, I’m posting two extra things in celebration. The first will be the letter that I sent with the Hares and Hatters Emma M. Lion book box. I’m thinking of dropping it later this week because so many of you have waited so patiently. This will be free, as a thank you for all the support. The second extra post will be my short story Chambers. It has been for sale on my website, but later this month I will be bringing it over to Beth Brower Scribbles Away as an extra edition of The St. Crispian’s Gazette. If you’ve not yet read Chambers, I think you’ll love having a glimpse into The Pirate’s past.
I leave you with a quote from the preface of one of my current reads. (Harold Bloom’s How to Read and Why).
Reading well is one of the great pleasures that solitude can afford you, because it is, at least in my experience, the most healing of pleasures.
What are you planning on reading this month? I have a recommendation a few recommendations to make in two weeks. Stay tuned.
Cheers,
Beth
Yes, please come to the Orem B&N! I live in PG and would be absolutely thrilled to drive down for a book signing 😊
YES YES YES to the Orem meetup!