One of the stores locally that sells my books is the ArtZ Den, owned by my friends Teresa Thomas and Deborah De Boer. This week, I popped in with more books and had a seat by the fireplace to have a chat with Teresa and Deb. While we were catching up, a lady came into the store and asked Deb, who was seated at the counter, if she had the book, Jennifer’s Choice. Deb said she could do one better than that, and pointed with a flourish in my direction, telling this woman that the author was in the store.

I smiled at this woman, and she seemed surprised to see me there. She explained that the book was requested by her mother, and she was in town to pick it up. Of course, she asked me to sign it, so I asked her what her mother’s name was. She said Betty. So I wrote a tiny blurb to Betty in the book and gave the book back so the woman could check out.

She was saying that her mother would be so pleased to have an autographed copy, so I said we could give Betty the full treatment and offered to take a selfie with Betty’s daughter. I asked her for her name, and she said it was Tina. She pulled out her phone and we briefly dropped our masks, had a quick ‘cheese’ moment, and with the picture snapped and book in hand, Tina merrily left the store to go to places unknown.

That was really my first experience with someone excited to meet ‘Dawn the author’ and it was a good one! I hope Tina enjoyed it as well and that Betty is enjoying her photo and signed copy of my book. 🙂

Stay tuned…..an author event is being planned now that Covid restrictions are lifting!

Today is the official launch of my book, Jennifer’s Choice: A Right to Die Story. It’s now available in print on Amazon, and as an e-book worldwide on many different platforms. I’m feeling all the feels today….

I’m humbled by the kind things others are saying about it. I’m thrilled that there’s been positive press. I am forever grateful to my husband Paul for his support, late night readings and all the coffee deliveries to my desk while I was busy writing. I so appreciate the friends and fellow authors who previewed or edited my manuscript, helping me find typos and parts that didn’t flow so well. I am thankful for my family and their support of my writing about our journey with Jennifer.

So, what does book launch day look like? Thanks to the pandemic, it’s rather quiet! The press release rolled out Friday and has been picked up by at least 22 online publications, including Yahoo, so that’s encouraging. The interview I did with Paul Morden from the Sarnia Observer ran last Friday. Today I’m being interviewed by Post Media reporter Carl Hnatyshyn and tomorrow I’ll be on CBC radio with Tony Doucette. Again, I’m grateful for the press being interested in my story.

I’ve marked this momentous occasion by being fully dressed today instead of sporting my usual ‘sleepwear chic’ that most everyone who works from home can relate to. It’s only 10:30 am, so the day holds a lot of promise.

Thank you to everyone who’s supported me in whatever ways that they did, be it a listening ear, words of encouragement, pre-ordering my book, sharing my Facebook posts – to all of you, my sincerest thanks and gratitude. I couldn’t have done it without you!