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My book launch is just two weeks away, and the event will be at McNally Jackson (virtually)! I hope you'll join me & @tracisorell https://www.mcnallyjackson.com/event/elatsoe-darcie-little-badger-virtual-event-conversation-traci-sorell
Now, I'd like to share something: the acknowledgements section of Elatsoe. Specifically, a story about my father.
Now, I'd like to share something: the acknowledgements section of Elatsoe. Specifically, a story about my father.
I wrote a "novel" when I was in first grade. It was a forty-page mystery about a girl who found a box of opals and a riddle in her attic. I only remember fragments of the plot. (1/?)
Somebody was poisoning a butterfly garden in the neighborhood park, and the protagonist cracked the case (don't ask me how; it was related to the opals ... maybe).
So there I was, a seven-year-old author with a finished manuscript. (2/?)
So there I was, a seven-year-old author with a finished manuscript. (2/?)
I gave it to the only beta readers I knew: my parents. Luckily, my dad, an English/writing professor with a strong background in Shakespearean lit, not only read the book (and praised my writing!), he edited all forty pages.
Keep in mind that we were still learning the alphabet in my homeroom class. To put it lightly, I didn't have the strongest grasp of English grammar.
Dad explained his edits, and I corrected my manuscript on a nineties-era computer that was good for two things: typing & Tetris.
Dad explained his edits, and I corrected my manuscript on a nineties-era computer that was good for two things: typing & Tetris.
Then, Dad taught me how to write a query letter (gotta be succinct and polite!), and I sent my manuscript to a real book publisher.
You can probably guess their response. (5/?)
You can probably guess their response. (5/?)
When it comes to my writing, Dad has always been my biggest teacher, supporter, and advocate. This book wouldn't exist without a lifetime of his guidance.
-from the acknowledgments of Elatsoe.
-from the acknowledgments of Elatsoe.
My father worked so hard to support my dreams. He was the first person to hold a signed copy of Elatsoe. It made him smile.
A few days later, he was gone.
So. It's been difficult to cheer about my debut. Painful. That said, I am so grateful to all who've supported my writing.
A few days later, he was gone.
So. It's been difficult to cheer about my debut. Painful. That said, I am so grateful to all who've supported my writing.
In conclusion, I'll persevere. If not for myself, then for my father & others who love & support me.
Thank you for reading. And thank you for being here, my friends.
Thank you for reading. And thank you for being here, my friends.
One more thing.
