This coming month in June, I'm filling my weekends with opportunities to build more relationships and to be present in our local communities. Where there are opportunities to give back and grow stronger together, to hear from new friends and to highlight their stories, I feel an unbreakable amount of hope that is truly meaningful to me. Every voice matters. Every life brings value. I will always carry your story in my heart.

When we join together and encourage one another, not only do we create a beneficial and embracing community, we also build a creative force that propels us forward together, infinitely. There is always space to showcase your work and always your community to appreciate all that you do.

Live events can be a surprisingly powerful lever for indie authors—not just for selling books, but for building a sustainable career.

Yesterday, I met Jason Reynolds at an author event hosted by the OC Library. Yes! It was an absolute pleasure. I took notes, listening as Jason spoke about words and rhythm and the power of sound; layers of subtext as meaningful ideas that don't have to be shouted in the dialogue or paragraphs of his stories; and his passion for the heartbeat of language, his love of Shakespeare, and his fascination with all creatures living on the land or oceans of our earth.

I read and I write and I read throughout the days and nights, because books and their authors have a special way of revealing truths about our humanity, our potential, our weaknesses, our vulnerabilities, yet our courage and resilience to survive. These are the reasons why I won’t let go. Why I have to keep going. It’s my writing journey, and there is no end.