Showing Up Anyway

There’s a version of this story where I make the responsible choice. I stay home, listen to my doctors, and don’t push my body past what it’s already struggling to handle.

That’s the version that makes sense... and then there’s the version that’s actually happening.

On Saturday, April 25, I’ll be at BookBash in the most-north-I've-ever-been Ohio. This will be my first book expo—something bigger than a typical signing. A room full of readers, authors, conversations, and opportunities. The kind of space I’ve been working toward since I first started writing Marked by Fate.

I’ve put a lot into getting here. Not just the book itself, but everything around it—the events, the connections, the slow, steady building of something that might actually turn into a real author career if I keep showing up for it. I even aligned the preorders for Shadowed Truths with this event. That wasn’t accidental. It was something I planned for, something I built toward.

I’m super anxious about it, though. Because the reality is, I don’t know how my body is going to handle it. It’s a three-hour drive just to get there. The event itself runs from 1 PM to 7 PM, and that doesn’t include setup before or teardown after. Right now, on a good day, I can sit upright for maybe a couple of hours—with lots of pain medication. Some days, not even that.

So I know this is going to hurt.

There’s no version of this where I push through and come out fine and unaffected. I’m not pretending otherwise. I also know I won’t be able to stay for the full event. As much as I want to, I have to be realistic about that. I’ll be there as long as I physically can be, and then I’ll have to listen when my body says it’s done.

That’s the balance I’m trying to find right now—between being responsible and not letting opportunities slip through my hands. Because this matters to me. The story matters. Getting it into people’s hands matters. Building something out of all of this—out of the pain, the setbacks, the constant starting and stopping—that matters.

And BookBash feels like one of those moments that could actually shift things.

I also know, very clearly, that none of this would be possible without my S/O. He’s doing all of the driving, handling setup and teardown, and will be there with me the entire time making sure I don’t push past what I can handle. There’s no version of this where I could do it alone right now.

I’m going to show up as best as I can. I’ll take breaks, sit in my wheelchair most of the time, and leave early if I have to. I’m going to do everything I can to get through it without completely wrecking myself.

But I’m not going to miss it. Not when I’ve worked this hard to get here.

If you’re coming to BookBash on April 25, I’d really love to see you. Even if it’s just for a minute. I’ll be there, doing what I can with what I have... And hoping it’s enough.

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If You Want to Be Part of What’s Next

If you’re planning to be at BookBash on Saturday, April 25, come find me! I’ll be there as long as I can be, and I’d truly love to meet you.

📍 Pretty Good Books Presents: BookBash 2026

🗓️ Saturday, April 25, 2026

🕐 1 PM – 7 PM

📌 New Leaf Event Center – Conneaut, OH

And at the same time the event begins, something else will be going live!!

Around 1 PM on April 25, as the expo doors open, Shadowed Truths will officially open for preorder.

If you’ve been waiting for Book Two, this is the first chance to lock in your copy.

And if you don’t already have a physical copy of Marked by Fate, there will be bundle options available so you can start from the beginning.

All preorders will come:

• Autographed

• With an exclusive bookmark

• Plus a special extra gift included with your order

📖 Shadowed Truths releases on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.