General Books – Kristin Houlihan, Writer

I wrote a book and I’m giving it away for free

I wrote a poetry book! It’s a short collection of poems and lyrical prose I wrote over the the last year and a half based on one-word twitter prompts — and if you sign up for my new newsletter, you’ll get an ebook copy FREE.

The last year and a half has been a journey! The last time you heard from me, I was beginning to write poetry. I was also beginning to get noticeably sick. I really dove into writing as a way to kind of process life with my illnesss (I am bedridden with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, likely as a result of a covid infection — I am one of the many, many disabled by LongCovid). Most of my writing looks at life, faith, and parenting through the lens of disability/chronic illness, and this first book is a small taste of what is to come.

I probably won’t be using this space often (computer time is challenging for me), so I’d love it if you would subscribe to my newsletter. I plan to share (monthly-ish) updates on my writing/publishing, some bits on what I’m reading, and shoutouts/highlights of literary magazines and other writers I love and think you should know about.

First newsletter issue will be sometime in December and include a link to a free copy of Lift the Mask! While you’re here, stop over at my Writing Portfolio page and see some work I’ve had published over the past year. It’s incomplete, but I’m working on it.

I laughed, I cried, I REMEMBERED: ARC Review of I Remember Us by Jaime Dill

The Short Review

I Remember Us is intensely personal, vulnerable, and relatable. I had really high hopes for this book, and it far surpassed my expectations. This collection of poetry, on the heels of Amanda Gorman’s Inaugural Poem, has ignited in me not only a desire to READ poetry (I Remember Us is the first book of poetry I’ve successfully read cover-to-cover–and intend to reread), but also to WRITE it. The writing is magnificent, the story is unique to the author and her husband and yet universal; I see myself in these pages. I laughed, I cried, and I REMEMBERED. We see the young couple fall in love—that part’s easy, and fun, full of nostalgia. But then they hit the real world—money problems, unintended pregnancy, heartbreaking loss, fighting with each other—and they overcome. Jaime Dill shows us the beauty of growing and changing together, of loving each other through the changes. This book is a celebration of love, of how love triumphs. Ultimately, I did more than remember the past: I remembered the NOW, I remembered how unbelievably blessed I am to be in a marriage like the one reflected in the pages of I Remember Us.

Some extra commentary

I was fortunate to receive a free copy of this book via Booksprout, and the above paragraph is the review I left on Booksprout and Goodreads and will pop up on Amazon once it’s out. NOW, I need to gush a little more and tell you where to find Jaime and all the great things she’s been up to in addition to writing a fantastic book.

First – this book is SO GOOD that I asked for a paperback copy for my birthday (WHICH IS TODAY), even though I’ve already read it. I’m only sorry I didn’t think to ask for a signed copy… and I rarely reread books. That said, I reread about half of it the other day when I sat down to write my review so I’d say it’ll be nice to have a paper copy! Pre-order your copy here!

Second – Jaime is not only a gifted writer, but she’s a super sweet person and very giving of her time. I’m working my way through some feedback she gave me on some poems I wrote recently and I’m just so touched she took the time to give me such thorough, prodding feedback. Which brings me to…

Third – She’s a developmental editor and book coach! And if her feedback on my amateur poetry is any indication, Jaime is worth every penny! Check out her editing company, Polish and Pitch, for information on how to work with her and more!

Finally – Jaime is also Editor-in-Chief of her own publishing imprint, Cardigan Press. They’re releasing their first publication, an anthology for and by writers, later this year. I can’t wait to see what they do next!

Free Book Alert! Right Back Where We Started by Fiona West

Do you all remember Fiona West? I interviewed her last year for the Indie Author Spotlight, and since then she’s hired me to copy edit several of her books (YAY!). The first one I did for her, Right Back Where We Started, is FREE right now on Amazon, but only until Friday. Go get yourself a copy and give it a read – and then, of course, go back for the rest of them. Next in the series, Just Getting Started (my favorite), releases next month and is available for pre-order now!

Right Back Where We Started – free until Friday, May 14!

Just Getting Started – Pre-order on Kindle now for only $.99!