I do have good news! But it's a tough day.😢

Published: Fri, 02/25/22

February 25, 2022

Hello ,

My heart and prayers are with the people of Ukraine this morning.

Outside my window, the sun shines brightly on a fresh coat of snow. The world is so beautiful!

And such a contrast to the darkness swirling around us, the calamities that threaten seemly from all sides. My instinct is to feel hopeless.

The planet earth as I've known it is slipping away. Seas warming and rising.

The triumph of democracy over fascism I have studied and written about for the last decade is under attack by my fellow Americans. Citizens of this "great country" assaulting our right to vote and supporting a Russian autocrat invading a peaceful nation with no provocation.

I'm afraid.

The easy thing is to feel hopeless. The easy thing is to get busy with stuff and ignore my fear.

It's hard to struggle with the question of how, I, just one person, can do anything to mitigate climate change or help protect the basic tenants of democracy.

What if I do all I can, and still, calamity strikes? Do I have the courage to put my time, effort and heart into the fight without regard to the outcome?

I need go no further than the books I've written, the women whose stories I've told, to find models of this kind of hope and courage. And yet it feels so distant.

For today, I'll open my soul to the sunshine and breathe deep with gratitude for everything that's right and good in the world. I'll put one foot in front of the other and not give in to hopelessness and fear.

Thank you for being here on this journey together.

It's too cold to go outside and take photos of the beautiful world--it's 13-degrees here this morning! Enjoy these from Spokane photographer James Richman.

~ Winter Wheat ~ early morning sunlight and low fog in wheat country, near the tiny towns of Oakesdale and Steptoe, in Eastern Washington's Palouse region

Riverfront Park Clocktower, Downtown Spokane, WA.

News and Links

The exciting news this week: there is going to be an audio version of Close-Up On War! Few details at the moment, but I will keep you posted.

This will be my first book to have an audio edition. I listen to audio books almost every day, so I know this audience firsthand and am so happy this will enable more people to learn Catherine Leroy's story.

Also, this week I've started querying literary agents to represent the young adult novel I've been working on this last year. You may remember I let my long-time agent go last April. He did a fine job for me, but I've grown in the twelve years he represented my work, and I'm looking for an agent who's a better fit. Wish me luck! This is harrowing, sending out the first ten pages of my novel and hoping an agent will pounce on it and want to read more.

You're Invited!

Celebrate my Book Launch!

Virtual Book Launch for CLOSE-UP ON WAR

March 24 at 7pm (Pacific)

From the comfort of your own home, you can join my virtual book launch with your phone, tablet or computer. Details to come soon.

If you're in the Spokane, WA, area, you are cordially invited to my real, live, in-person book launch at Auntie's Bookstore. Mark your calendar!
March 22 at 7pm
Auntie's Bookstore
402 West Main Avenue, Spokane
Still in the planning stages, so stay tuned!
Aunties requires proof of vaccination for all instore events.

Details here...

Aunties Bookstore is now offering autographed copies of all my books! You can order them here...

Until next week...

Follow me on social media

Read a great book? Have a burning question? Let me know. If you know someone who might enjoy my newsletter or books, please forward this e-mail. I will never spam you or sell your email address, you can unsubscribe anytime at the link below.

To find out more about my books, how I help students, teachers, librarians and writers visit my website at www.MaryCronkFarrell.com.

Contact me at [email protected]. Click here to subscribe to this newsletter.