I’m writing this on my birthday, March 23, and feeling overwhelmed by the support of my community—family, friends, readers, other writers.
It’s been a terrific week. Saturday I was on a panel at my first in person event since 2019, the one day Golden Crown Literary Society Regional Conference held in Jersey City. Being with old writing friends and meeting new ones was exciting but the highlight of the day was hearing from four different readers how much they love the NYPD Detective Chiara Corelli mysteries.
And then all day today, the phone calls, the cards, the e-cards and the many Facebook birthday greetings, some from people I’m close to, some from acquaintances and others from people I only know on Facebook. All are appreciated.
And then late this afternoon a fabulous review of Matters of the Heart, my first romance, was posted on Facebook and Amazon. This author’s heart is exploding.
The feedback I’ve received from readers this week reminds me why I write and that being out there meeting readers and other writers feeds my soul. I’ve been isolated in my little bubble for too long. Now I’m feeling energized and ready to be back out in the world. Look for me. I’ll be wearing a black mask.
So, tell me, am I the only slowly dipping a toe in the water?
Catherine Maiorisi
In addition to publishing multiple mystery and romance short stories in various anthologies, Catherine has authored four romances novels. Her latest book, The Disappearance of Lindy James, was awarded a GOLDIE for Best General Fiction.
Happy Happy Birthday Catherine! What a fantastic way to greet a new year. May this year be filled with nothing but happiness, love and joy for you and yours. And congratulations on the great review! That is indeed a great thing on a birthday.
Thanks, Emilya.
I so look fowrard to seeing you at one event or another. Wishing you many joys in the coming year.
Thank you, Pat. And yes, it’s been too long, Pat. I’m hoping to be out and about in April.
Happy birthday and many congratulations on all of your success! You have a lot to celebrate this week! Have a great year.
Suzanne
Happy Birthday, Catherine. I’m glad you’re getting out to mingle with readers and writers again. And congratulations on the review. That’s awesome!
Thank you, Sharon.
What an uplifting post and congratulations. What a beautiful way to express coming back to life after (hopefully) the pandemic.
Happy Birthday.
Rhonda Barnat
Thank you, Rhonda.
Happy Birthday! You’ve made a great re-entry! And how nice to have good reviews coming in already for the romance.
I’ll be back at Malice this year and really looking forward to it. I did a one-day event in Suffolk, VA recently that was tons of fun and notable for being able to see so many writing friends in person.
Marni, I hadn’t realized how much I missed the contact with friends. Zoom is a great tool and made life in the pandemic tolerable but it’s definitely not the same as the in person connection.
Unfortunately, I cancelled Malice due to this persistent vertigo.
Happy birthday! I just got back from Left Coast Crime, my first in-person event since we got sent home from Left Coast Crime in March 2020. Some anxiety at first. Other than the family, I haven’t been around people much at all in three years. But after a day or so, I came to feel energized. It’s great to see old friends and great to make new friends.
Left Coast Crime looked like great this year. I really enjoyed the one in Vancouver. I’m glad you had a good time.
What an inspiring post! It’s so great to be with other writers, and then it’s so great to crawl home and be back in your office. Sounds like a great day. Happy belated birthday.
Thanks, Susan. It’s actually been a great week.
Happy (belated) birthday, Catherine! What a lovely way to cekebrate.