Sarah McCoy's Blog
May 30, 2012
Photo by Eleane McCoy
I’m not sure how best to categorize this blog entry. It’s not our standard Tea Party or a news flash, no Hey Doc or giveaway. It’s simply been far too long since I blogged and I thought I owed you, friends, an explanation… a catch-up, a here’s-where-I’ve-been post. So please excuse the informality of this entry. Memorial Day has come and gone, which means summer’s spell is officially making everyone walk a little slower, crave sweet iced tea and frozen yogurt pies, pull out the lawn sprinklers and pool floaties. I’m there already. The temperature in El Paso has been in the 90s for weeks, but I haven’t been able to fully give myself over to the magical season. Life and book travels have kept me indoors for the most part.
The Baker’s Daughter meets Bel Canto
First off, I want to thank each and every one of you for your support, prayers, and constant encouragement while my husband, Doc B, was ill and recovering. It’s amazing how quickly the body can all at once fall apart and then put itself back together. While his return to good health has been slow and full of unexpected obstacles, I’m happy to be able to “look back” on it and see the positives—the wonderful loved ones, friends and dear strangers that came to my side. So thank you!
I was living out of a suitcase for another couple weeks while traveling to book events. My first stop was Parnassus Books in Nashville. I can’t praise the staff and bookstore enough. Such southern hospitality. Such a fabulous time. Lifelong friends were forged. I’ll be returning to Nashville in October to present at the Southern Festival of Books and simply can’t wait to spend time with my Parnassus family!
Next stop was Metro DC for the Gaithersburg Book Festival. Shew-wee. Where to even start! The entire weekend of festivities is bedazzled in my memory. While presenting at the festival was a true honor, the fellow authors, book festival staff, and devoted readers were the real treasures. If you aren’t familiar with GBF, get familiar. It’s on its way to being one of the country’s most renowned book festivals. It has the spirit of book love–intimate, inviting, insightful and invigorating! That’s a whole lot of unintentional alliteration but very much deserved. On my Facebook page, you can click through my GBF album and see how the marvelous day unfolded.
More news includes a delightful and much appreciated review from the Historical Novel Society: “Replete with raw emotion and suspense, The Baker’s Daughter is a fascinating journey through a horrifying time in world history that will resonate long after you close the book.”–May 2012 (Issue 60)
Now, I’m finally home but no rest for the weary. I have a writing deadline in June so I’m quickly changing caps: Book Touring Sarah for Writer Hermit Sarah. I’m hunkering down, as my dad likes to say during storms. It’s me, my laptop and my next novel’s characters that I’ve been telling to hush-hush-now for months while on the road.
My dear friend and author extraordinaire, Madeline Miller said it was hard for her to fathom that I’ve been on the road back and forth since February. I knew that, yes, but it was one of those zinger moments when I stopped long enough to take in the reality. Is it really almost June? No, impossible. And, yet, the calendar doesn’t lie. And this is when summer bewitched me or rather, broke the whirlwind spell I was under. Sloooowwww dowwwnnnn, it’s whispering. Take a moment in the sunshine. Listen to the wind through your four (yes, you heard me, I now have FOUR!) trees in the backyard. Brew your tea with a squeeze of lemon. It’s okay to go barefoot for an entire day. Let your hair go curly wild. Dream. It’s summertime. I encourage you all to do the same.
Yours truly, Sarah
May 16, 2012
By the time you read this, I’ll be flying high and fast from Texas to another boot-lovin’ sister state: Tennessee! I’ve dreamt of visiting Parnassus Books for months and the day has finally arrived. In case you aren’t familiar, the fabulous Parnassus Books is currently the single literary beacon in Nashville. Yep, you heard right. It’s the only bookstore in town. If that wasn’t enough to brand it the stuff of author nirvana, then the fact that it’s owned and nurtured by the illustrious Ann Patchett would certainly earn it star status. Personally, I’d buff AP’s nails (fingers and toes) if she requested. But that’s between us…
I paraded around with jazz hands for a good week after being invited to do a reading and signing at Parnassus Books, and as the date approached, my anticipation has bloomed to full pompom waving. Now I find out that they are not only hosting me, but generously throwing a full-fledged Nashville soiree: wine, friends and books! How could I not curl my toes under with excitement? Check out their Facebook page for more info. If you are in the Nashville area, I’d absolutely love to see you Thursday night!
The cherry on top of my trip came from the kind folks at The Nashville Scene. They saw fit to announce my arrival to the broader Nashvillian gentry so that I might be directed to the best Music City has to offer. Check that out here. I love that this article tags me with Gwyneth Paltrow and Whiskey Kitchen. It could not get any better than that. Seriously. The warm hospitality has me clicking the heels of my blinged-out boots: “There’s no place like Nashville!”
Again, here are the official details:
Start: Thursday, 05/17/2012 6:30 pm
End: Thursday, 05/17/2012 8:00 pm
Parnassus Books
3900 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville
One last gush over Ann Patchett–okay, maybe two. 1) She’s currently paperback touring for State of Wonder and I tell you, if she’s anywhere near you, I would consider it a personal slap to my face if you didn’t go and clap mightily for me. State of Wonder was one of my favorite books of 2011. I even insisted my parents listen to the book on tape during a road trip, so now they, too are Patchett peeps. 2) Watch this interview of AP on The Colbert Report . I dare you not to think she’s the bee’s knees afterward. The woman went toe to toe with Stephen Colbert and came away with a wink her eye. THAT, my friends, is how a lady throws down.
I’ll be sure to post pics when I’m back home next week!
Yours truly, Sarah
May 11, 2012
May 10, 2012
May 9, 2012
May 8, 2012
May 7, 2012
Happy book birthday to THE BAKER’S DAUGHTER in Holland!
In celebration, I invite all my Dutch friends to koffietijd (coffee/tea time) with De Bakkers Dochter! I’ll pour you virtual teacups with one cookie each, as is the Dutch tradition. Cheers, mijn vrienden!
Yours truly, Sarah
May 6, 2012
Because laughter is the best medicine, I’m stealing the Ryan Gosling “Hey Girl” idea to help foster my husband’s recovery…
