AfricanKelli

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I know, I know.  Another book post. We’ll get back to the knitting, cooking, traveling and the such soon. I need a couple more days of enjoying the after-glow.  Amanda — who edited the novel and took the back cover photo — also took a gorgeous collections of shots Tuesday night. How couldn’t I share these?

Rex! My old running buddy!

Mr. Green — my 8th grade English teacher.

Clare, who I traveled with to Nicaragua and Bolivia. And, Duda, a friend who grew up in Mozambique.

My mama. This photo makes me a little teary.

Ms. Sunshine Cupcakes!

My boss, Joe.

Mark and Susie, parents to this adorable boy.

Alma! My world traveling buddy.

Ms. St. Arnauld, my 6th grade teacher.

Rett + Karen, who have been friends with my parents since high school. My dad tells a funny story of Rett giving him shots of whiskey right before he walked down the aisle to marry my mom.

Diane — a long-time family friend.

JT + Kathleen — Mini’s parents and my good friends.

My minister + friend, Jeff.

The Bennetts! Kacey’s folks + my cheerleaders.

Mariah and Julez, who among other things are my bowling buddies.

Octavio, Ted + JT.

Pretty much the best night of my life so far.

Thank you again, Amanda, for taking these. See the complete set at: www.nemecphotos.com

~K

Did you notice last night was a full moon? Couldn’t have been coincidence. The “Under the Same Moon” signing brought more than a 100 of my friends and family under one roof, too. I honestly couldn’t believe how many people were there — my grandparents and uncle from Tucson, my mama from Texas, three of my favorite teachers, many family friends who’ve taken me in as an additional child since my parents moved, my girlfriends, coworkers, fellow church attendants, bloggers and I think, just maybe, even a few strangers.

It was a night I’ll never forget. Today I am so full of hope, happiness and gratitude.

Thank you, dear blog readers. You too are included on the acknowledgment page.

~K

(And there are many more photos and video clips to come, but I couldn’t help but post a few to start off the day!)

For the longest time, Adam and I’ve said “later, Tyrone” instead of “later, gator.” I don’t know why it started, but it makes me giggle every time.

So, when my mama gave me a little African-inspired bling this afternoon to rock at tonight’s signing, the lucky guy was quickly coined Tyrone. I’ll be sporting T with a belly full of butterflies, a giddy smile, my lucky heels and some baubles.

Tyrone was gifted over lunch at one of my favorite local spots. I immediately recognized the server; we’d gone to high school together. His arms were covered in colorful tattoos, but his smile was identical as the day we’d graduated. We chatted for a minute and he said he was serving tables during the day to fund his dream: being a rock star. He “screams” as the lead in a band in the evenings. He rambled for a bit about how it was important to him to chase a dream, be working for something he could believe in, etc. His eyes glittered as he described being on stage with his bandmates.

I nodded, enthusiastically. I know in my gut I am supposed to write. This first book is full of typos and errors and passion and love. It’s a fun first step toward a career. Speaking with Emily today she asked when the second book, “Basket Baby,” will be complete. October. I’ll have draft one done within the next few months. The writing, character development, voice, story arch — they are all substantially easier and clearer the second time. Plus, now I know how to publish. I feel like I’ve climbed a giant mountain and the next peak looks like a hill by comparison.

October. I can work with a deadline, especially when it doesn’t feel like work.

In the meantime, I’ll just let this novel hang out next to my buddy and fellow author Barack. This is where Adam placed the book on his shelf. (How am I supposed to remain humble with this kind of ridiculous treatment?)

Later Tyrone,

~K

Remember when I asked for book marketing ideas? Well, you guys are the most efficient, productive and happiest team I’ve ever worked with. THANK YOU! I got some great ideas (e.g. Facebook page, youtube videos, book club marketing, and “send to Oprah!”) that got me thinking. As promised, the five randomly selected winners for signed copies are:

1. Debbie

2. Traciefree

3. Holly

4. Piccola

and 5. Teresa.

{I’ll be emailing you for your addresses. Thank you again!}

It’s been one of those week’s I’ll never forget. The first 108 copies of my book arrived at my home. I have a contract for 50 copies to be sold at my favorite indie bookstore. I dropped them off Monday. I was contacted by a local reporter for a feature on Monday night and was interviewed. I heard the books started selling at Changing Hands and Amazon on Tuesday. Today the paper’s photographer came to take a headshot to go with the article. Tonight I’ve been invited to a political fundraiser where my book is being raffled as a door prize. I’ve placed an order for another 25 books because there are to be more than 100 people at the signing. Woah.

It’s pinch-me exciting!I keep walking around my office with this goofy grin smiling at everyone and everything.

I’ve spent so much time thinking about what this would look and feel like — to see my book on the shelves. And now that it is here, I’ve honestly never been happier. I read many years ago that you should develop some habit that regularly reminds you of your dream. Keeping this in mind, for at least 8 years, every time I visit a bookstore I go to the fiction section and leave space in the “Ds” where my novel would be placed. Today, that book is actually there.

EEEEEEEE!

I’ve been doing a lot of pacing at night after work reading my novel aloud, trying to find the right section to share at the book signing in a couple weeks.  Of course I’ve already got my outfit selected, including a string of Ghanaian wedding beads I’ve never worn (other than the day I bought them, four years ago.) You can take the girl out of Africa, but you can’t take Africa out of the girl.

And so, life as an author moves forward at a very hectic and happy pace.

Thank you again for coming along on the journey,

Kelli

I traveled this weekend to Washington not only to spend time with my Italian friends, but also to attend the wedding of Matt & Mariah. M&M are relatively new to Phoenix. I met them at a happy hour several years ago when they’d just arrived. Mariah is a public health practitioner too and we struck up an easy conversation. Now, M&M are in the bowling league and they are Sydney’s proud parents.

Traveling to such a beautiful place to celebrate their union was a no-brainer. Wedding at an organic farm on a peninsula in the Puget Sound in August when you live in Phoenix? Also two of my favorite people were also attending? I couldn’t say yes quickly enough.

It was the wedding of all weddings. The ceremony, performed by a minister friend from the Church of Canada, was brilliant. I’ve honestly never before heard a minister do such a great job of capturing the spirit of the day, the couple and the environment. He told funny jokes, was sentimental and poignant — incredibly difficult to pull off. Also, he asked the guests to say vows for the couple, ensuring we’d hold them to what they were promising each other. It was meaningful and tactful. He walked a fine line between those who were spiritual and not, and did so with grace.

Plus! The ceremony included random performances by many of the talented guests. A man played a harmonica solo at the beginning that had everyone tapping their toes and aching for the dance floor. As a surprise to her new husband, the bride coordinated a handful of friends to sing the chorus from “Love Actually” — “Love, Love, Love” at one point — (as they do in the movie), including a trumpet solo. (The guest actually hid the trumpet in her dress on the way in. We were all shocked that suddenly this gorgeous Norwegian woman was standing up, whipping out a trumpet and quite literally blowing us all away.) And for the finale, the bride’s brother sang a Van Morrison song and played a guitar and had everyone in tears.

This was just the ceremony.

The party afterward included an open-mic portion of the evening that brought out a handful of random performances including OutKast sung with a ukelele. Imagine thirty people spinning in circles singing, “Shake it like a polaroid picta’!” There was a donut buffet instead of wedding cake. There were fresh cut flowers on every table that were as stunning as the surrounding gardens. And the toasts — the bride’s mother gave a toast that brought down the house. There were guests who flew in from a dozen countries to celebrate with the pair; what a great sign of their friendships and the way they lead their lives.

Such an incredible party, celebration and start to a beautiful marriage. I am so thankful to have been there. I truly feel richer for their friendships and for witnessing such a creative union.

Plus, this one kept me giggling the entire time. We are too much trouble together!

~K