Tag: Daddy’s Girl

List Post: juin 2017 (June)

Not exactly a list, but…

Here’s an update:

On June 1, I hosted my neighborhood’s Book Club meeting. The book we chose to read and discuss? My latest suspense novel, DADDY’S GIRL.

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We talked about my other books, too, including my creative nonfiction book ALL THE ABOVE: MY SON’S BATTLE WITH BRAIN CANCER. Many of my neighbors had known Jack since he was a little boy (he was 9 when we moved in), and they were touched by his story.

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Book club members holding my novels UNDERWATER and DADDY’S GIRL, nonfiction ALL THE ABOVE, and of course…wine.

I was thrilled to see everyone that night. Although these are the only photos we took, there were about 18 people at the meeting. I’ve been hit or miss lately at our meetings, but I’m always interested in what we select to read. I like to read multiple genres, and luckily, the book club does, too.

We talked about my novel, and members were also very interested in my writing process, my path to publication, and what it’s like to work with an editor. Just the kinds of things I like to talk about! We drank wine, munched on appetizers, and enjoyed catching up when we weren’t talking books.

I’d love to be a guest at YOUR book club anytime, in person or via Skype. Just let me know when!

Two nights later, I attended the 53rd Annual Georgia Author of the Year Awards banquet. DADDY’S GIRL was a Nominee in the Mystery/Detective category (the best fit, since there isn’t a Thriller/Suspense category, too). There were over a dozen Nominees in the category, and though it didn’t win, I was thrilled to be there and to be nominated. It was wonderful to be among writers of many genres and watch as a Winner and a Finalist were chosen in each group.

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Here I am at the banquet with my friend, author Liz Lazarus, a Nominee in the First Novel category

What else is planned for June? Basically, writing (book 5). So far, it’s unnamed, but the characters are in serious development, and the scenes are coming together. Stay tuned.

 

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List Post, décembre 2016 + HOLIDAY POEM!

  1. Write my next novel
  2. Get ready for Christmas (at home, this year)
  3. Celebrate the holidays with family and friends
  4. And on Tuesday, December 13 – the Killer Nashville Facebook Page will host my guest blog.

I met KN blog coordinator Tom Wood back in September at the Decatur Book Festival, and he asked me to submit a post for later on…which I did, and Voilà!

I’d love for you to read it and Like it.

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Now, for this year’s verse:

My holiday poem, I’ll try to make short.

The year’s highlights, to you, I’ll describe and report.

Two thousand sixteen will be history soon,

and I’ve time to consider that, this afternoon.

I began the year busy with two new endeavors:

got on Facebook, and found it both easy and clever.

I started my newsletter also, and found

it a way to update you all – all the year ’round.

In the spring, my last book, Daddy’s Girl, was released

and my number of novels out, by one, increased.

In the summer, just after it won an award

My nonfiction book, All the Above, struck a chord

With the public, when I penned an article in

the Atlanta newspaper (called the AJC). Then,

in the fall, I attended three festivals where

I met readers and authors and others who share

in the interest of stories, both made-up and true.

I had fun, and ’twas hard, to them all, bid adieu.

I will close with my wishes of love and good cheer.

Joyeuses fêtes de Noel and a Happy New Year!

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Two women walk into a café…

…and stay for three hours (12:30 – 3:30) on Wednesday, December 7, 2016, to chat with customers and sign copies of their latest books!

Come to Crema Espresso Gourmet, 2458 Mt. Vernon Rd., Dunwoody, Georgia (across from All Saints Catholic Church) for lunch or coffee, and pick up Gelia Dolcimascolo’s fantasy novel, AURELIA AND THE LIBRARY OF THE SOUL, my suspense novel, DADDY’S GIRL, and my creative nonfiction, ALL THE ABOVE: MY SON’S BATTLE WITH BRAIN CANCER.

Books make great holiday gifts!

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Aurelia and the Library of the Soul is a must-have for kids and adults, and is destined to become a classic. A prize-winning poet, Gelia has been The Writers Circle facilitator and LTC writing tutor on the GSU-Dunwoody campus for 25 years. Learn more about Gelia and her work at geliawrites.com

Daddy’s Girl is just the thing for readers on your holiday shopping list (and you)! All the Above: My Son’s Battle with Brain Cancer, a Georgia Author of the Year Finalist, is perfect for moms, dads, and anyone whose world has changed in a day.

We hope to see you at Crema!

Love, Julia and Gelia

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Find my books at Barnes & Noble!

The “Perimeter” Barnes & Noble on Perimeter Center West in Atlanta (near Perimeter Mall) now stocks signed copies of three of my books!

Find my psychological suspense novels UNDERWATER and DADDY’S GIRL, both set in Atlanta, on the shelf in Fiction & Literature…

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And my memoir ALL THE ABOVE: MY SON’S BATTLE WITH BRAIN CANCER is shelved in Biographies & Memoirs. Look whose books I’m next to 😊…

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(Books are shelved in alphabetical order by author name.)

 

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List Post, août 2016 (August)

It’s the Dog Days of Summer, and I’ve got a new list!

  • The Georgia Writers Association has just released the judges’ notes for Finalists and Winners of the 2016 Georgia Author of the Year Awards. Here’s what judge Iraj Omidvar said about my book: 
    • “Julia McDermott’s All the Above, My Son’s Battle with Brain Cancer is replete with powerful dialogues and descriptions that bring to life the circumstances leading to — as well as the significance of — each of the often life-and-death decisions involved in fighting brain cancer. At the center of this drama is Jack, the courageous and much-loved young man whose struggle reminds us of the often invisible social ties that underpin our lives. In recounting the events, McDermott exposes the powerful relationships among parents and children, siblings, and relatives and friends that sustain life and work, here in face of tremendous stressors. The memoir is also a poignantly appreciative look at the dedicated physicians, nurses, and other medical professionals the family relied on for Jack’s surgeries and recovery.”
  • After my “Personal Journey” was published on July 10, 2016 by the AJC – Atlanta Journal Constitution – titled Fear and Gratitude, (click here to read), I connected with the Georgia Chapter of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Association (headquartered in Asheville, NC). They help families with children who have been diagnosed with brain tumors, and they do great work.
  • I’ll appear on the Atlanta Writers Club Thriller panel at this year’s AJC Decatur Book Festival on Sat., Sept. 3 at 11:15 am at the Decatur City Hall. Afterward, I’ll sign copies of my novels DADDY’S GIRL and UNDERWATER, and my memoir ALL THE ABOVE: MY SON’S BATTLE WITH BRAIN CANCER. 
  • That same day, from 2:00 to 3:00, I’ll be at the Atlanta Writers Club booth, to chat and sign copies of my books. I’ll also appear at the Sisters in Crime booth, time and date TBA.
  • Later in September: I’m traveling to New Orleans to attend Mystery Writers Conference, Bouchercon, and will appear on a panel titled Watch That Man – Thriller on Sunday Sept. 18 at 9:00 am. 
  • In November, I’ll be a participating moderator/panelist on a nonfiction panel at the Milton Literary Festival, and next March, I’ll be a “Regional Writer” at the Dahlonega Literary Festival.

 

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Pizza, Salad, and a Movie: Ghostbusters

This weekend’s Pizza Toppings at Corner Pizza:

  • Chicken
  • Jalapeños
  • Sliced Tomatoes

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Me? I had a wedge salad again.

Movie:

Ghostbusters

The film: A solid remake, funny, entertaining, well cast, and if you liked the original, you’ll probably like this one, too.

The pizza: He’s on a jalapeños kick (with my blessing) because I’m not eating pizza for the foreseeable future. My salad was great, though.

Movies we want to see very soon: The Secret Life of Pets, Jason Bourne (we’re binge watching the previous ones, all of which I LOVE), Captain Fantastic, Bad Moms (note: I almost titled my last novel, DADDY’S GIRL, as BAD CINDERELLA – and maybe I should have), and later on, Ben-Hur.

 

 

 

 

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List Post, mai 2016 (May)

Because I recently sent my bimonthly newletter* (and a previous announcement, about my new novel, DADDY’S GIRL), this monthly List Post is different.

I won’t list my upcoming events** and travel plans, but focus instead on this Sunday, May 8: Mother’s Day, my son Jack’s birthday, and the sixth anniversary of day Jack (and his dad and I) learned he had a brain tumor.*** Read ALL THE ABOVE for more about that.

Two things about Mother’s Day:

  1. Something memorable happens on a Mother’s Day in DADDY’S GIRL. Be the first to comment, explaining what happens, to whom, and when – and win a free, signed copy of the book!
  2. I have four children, and have celebrated many Mother’s Days. The photo below is of my absolute favorite Mother’s Day gift, ever. My daughter made it in school a long time ago, when she was very young. Her “9 Reasons” were spot on about me, and they melted my heart! (side note: this was when I was into scrapbooking, and I made one for each kid – her and her three older brothers).

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In “List” format:

  • She always knows when to give a hug!
  • Knows how to break up a fight.
  • Can sometimes be a little pushy about what she wants!
  • Warning! Can get very emotional.
  • Loves to go to the movies!
  • Knows where to go shopping.
  • Can drive U Nuts! but is still as sweet as can be!!
  • Doesn’t yell unless needed to.
  • She’s the best scrapbooker I know!

*sign up to receive it, under FOR READERS and NEWSLETTER

**see EVENTS

***A friend recently told me she didn’t know that it was malignant – maybe because we were so private about it in the beginning, and we desperately hoped that it was benign. If you read ALL THE ABOVE, you’ll understand. One reason I wrote the book was to tell the true story; another reason was to try to touch others.

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Wine with Wendy on Wednesday, numéro sept

Hours before my new suspense novel DADDY’S GIRL was published, Wendy and I met for lunch at one of the (new) French restaurants we had been to once before. But this time, we sat outside.

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Our table was to the left of the side window

Le restaurant? Le Bilboquet.

It’s always so much fun to catch up with Wendy, hear about her kids (side note: four out of the five have a “y” in their name), her travels, her adventures, and talk about art, books, and movies.

It was delightful sitting outside in this new Buckhead shops and restaurant enclave, unimaginatively dubbed The Shops of Buckhead Atlanta, on Peachtree Road. I had rosé, she had chardonnay, and we each ordered something très bon et très français. 

(I just love how Wendy and I are both interested in French – although she is taking a needed break right now from French classes.)

De toute façon – anyway – our lunch lasted well over an hour  an hour and a half, and we both felt at the end that time had flown. A talented artist, Wendy gave me some great feedback recently about the details on the cover of DADDY’S GIRL. I have learned so much about art from her (my all-time favorite course I ever took was Art History). We also talked books: the great, the good, the fair, and the I-don’t-recommend-you-read-this-but-somehow-I-finished it. And we discussed the publishing industry and talked a little about films.

Wendy has never been to Paris (!) and I told her that when she does, she must visit the Musée d’Orsay to see all the Impressionists’ works there. (I would love to go with her.)

Afterward, I’m sure we would find a lovely French restaurant or café for lunch. 🇫🇷

 

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Publication day for DADDY’S GIRL!

My women’s fiction/psychological suspense novel DADDY’S GIRL is out today! Find it on Amazon, or download it on your Kindle!

A spoiled, entitled princess risks it all to join a technology startup, loses it all, and then embarks on a mission of revenge and retribution.

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Cover Reveal: Daddy’s Girl

After rejecting 2 earlier (working) titles, and 3 other (very different) cover images, the cover for my new suspense novel, DADDY’S GIRL, is set in stone! I can’t wait until it’s published, only days from now!

What’s it about?

A spoiled, entitled princess risks it all to join a technology startup, loses it all, and then embarks on a mission of revenge and retribution…

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