September has dawned, Labor Day is past, and a new school year has begun. As summer gives way to autumn it feels as if all the world renews its determination while preparing to tuck in for cooler days and longer nights.
Summer has flown, glorious and busy. June found me at the ALA (American Library Association) Annual Conference 2022 in D.C., speaking to FOCLIS (Fellowship of Christian Librarians and Information Specialists) on “Purpose Driven Fiction for a Hurting World.” I loved talking with Christian librarians and learning of the joys and challenges in their work. My appreciation for librarians and all they do to bring us great books soared.
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In July I Zoomed with Author Susan Meissner in a virtual event to discuss my book, Band of Sisters, on behalf of Save Ellis Island’s Virtual Author Series. In case you missed it, there is a recording of our event:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTnne1yHouE&t=11s
August proved busy with gardening and grandchild care as parents led summer athletic camps. When my homeschooled grandchildren were asked on their first day of school what they want to be when they grow up they responded: Eight-year-old granddaughter—“A Christian popstar!” Five-year-old granddaughter—“A teenager!” Two-year-old grandson—“A dinosaur!” It should be a fun school year here and I hope where you are. 
One glorious and uplifting August day was spent with my brother and sister-in-law visiting Jan Karon’s Mitford Museum in Hudson, North Carolina—home of everything Jan Karon and her literary world of Mitford. I’ve read all of Karon’s books and loved each one. The museum brings her family’s roots, her early writing inspirations, favorite quotes, and characters to life. I left with my favorite Karon quote, also attributed to Peter Ustinov, ringing in my heart, “Love is an act of endless forgiveness.” That is true each and every day. 
This week I’m drafting the New & Noteworthy Fiction Feature for the December issue of Christianity Today, preparing for upcoming Zoom book club events for A Hundred Crickets Singing, and beginning to imagine characters for a new story set in a different time and place than any I’ve written before. New beginnings are always exciting and I would so appreciate your prayers for this venture.
If you’re looking for a September read, step with me back in time (American Civil War and WWII time-split story) to No Creek, North Carolina in A Hundred Crickets Singing. Tyndale House Publishers is offering the E-Book version of A Hundred Crickets Singing for $1.99 for the entire month of September through your favorite E-Book vendor. You can access the sale here:
I hope your September is off to a lovely start and that the coming days of autumn bring you joy and grace.
Until next time, God’s rich blessings for you and happy reading,
Cathy
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Bestselling Christy Hall of Fame, Carol and INSPY Award-winning author Bestselling four-time Christy Award-winning author, Cathy Gohlke, writes novels steeped with inspirational lessons from history. Her stories reveal how people break the chains that bind them and triumph over adversity through faith. When not traveling to historic sites for research, she and her husband of 40 years, Dan, enjoy their children and grandchildren, dividing their time between Northern Virginia and the Jersey Shore. Visit her website at www.cathygohlke.com, follow her on Bookbub, Goodreads, and find her on Facebook at CathyGohlkeBooks. Subscribe to Book Gems with Cathy Gohlke for short video clips of books she loves and loves to share with readers. |
