You Know that Song From Fiddler?

"Sunrise, sunset.."

Like that, til you're all crying and everything?

As one of my Twitter correspondents put it, (about her own child): "last year he was five.  Now he's going to the prom.  Since when do they let six-year-olds go to the prom?"

So, It's, Like, All Magical Here and Everything...

I took my fifteen-year-old daughter and her friend to their yoga class this evening.  I skipped the yoga and went for my umptybazillionth walk on the Stowe, Vermont recreation path.  If the Weather today around here had asked a magic mirror (or anyone else, for that matter), "who is the fairest of them all?" The answer would have been, "You are, you rare Vermont weather, you."

The sun was setting when I started out and Leprechauns and elves were skittering over the stripily-shadowed path. I almost got impaled by a unicorn - almost, but not quite, phew.  Unfortunately, all these creatures slipped away before I could take their pictures with my crumby little ipod camera.  Here are a few shots I got of things that were standing still.

A Breather...

Hey team.  If you've had it with that book already, think how I feel.  (Smiley emoticon).

I promise that I will shut up about someday but, alas for you, that day is not (quite) this day.  I do feel the need for a little break, however, like you, and for something lovely and quiet.  So, here's a favorite song, from a favorite soundtrack, from a favorite movie that provided a certain amount of inspiration for a certain book, that shall remain nameless.

It's Publication Day!

OK people.

Five years in the making, long hours at the keyboard, the odd flash of inspiration, walks in the woods, struggling over plot points, nights worrying about historical details (how much did a bicycle cost in 1928 and how many people had electricity?), now,at last, here it is.  What I have come to think of as THE BOOK.

I only just approved the final proof an hour or two ago.  Here's a link to the paperback.  In the next few weeks it should be out as an ebook and very soon, in the next couple of days, also available in paperback through the usual Amazon channels.  An audiobook version will follow later in the year, I hope.  Your friendly local bookseller should also be able to order copies for your favorite shop.  (Wait a little before asking, you ravening hordes, you!)

So looking forward to hearing from one or two of you...

Think of the Person You Know Who Misses Downton Abbey The Most...

It's here...

Well, almost.

I am working my way through the final proof, but it (the proof) is so near to what the reading public will be offered that I feel I can ask for reviews from, well, some of you.

I have self-published this book, which is called, Up, Back, and Away, as you can see, or will publish it in just a few more days.  If you want, I'll bore you with all the details about why I decided to go that route.  In the meantime, it is part of a self-publisher's lot to stand around waving her arms and asking for people to look at her book.  So, here I am waving - not drowning (at least not yet) - but definitely waving.

I need some reviews people.  I hope they'll be good, but I know I'll have to take what comes.  In keeping with the time honored tradition of soliciting book reviews,  reviewers get free copies.  That's right, starting now and for the next two weeks (at least), I will send a FREE PDF copy of the book to anyone who tells me they'll review it.  I am not real picky about where the review might appear so long as its public: Amazon (where the book will soon be for sale as a paperback at $14.99 and an ebook at $7.99 - you won't be able to post a review until the book appears on the site, but you can get drafting), Goodreads (I think that will have to wait as well til the book is published), a book blog, a regular blog, a print publication.  I have some paperback proofs available right now and I will send those for the asking (also free) as long as they hold out.  I will be getting additional review copies down the road but it will be a few weeks.  If you want to review it but want to wait until I can sent a paperback, let me know.

All I ask is that readers start with at least a modicum of good will and agree to judge the book on its merit.  (Or lack thereof, I suppose, if that is the verdict).   Having moved my publication date more than the last checker at the end of a long game, I am now aiming for April 18.

So, please - hold up your hand.  Don't be shy.  I am honored by your interest if you have read this far.
Just send me an email (use the contact info over there or leave me a comment).  If you aren't interested yourself, but have a friend/colleague/kid/family member who might be interested (see aforementioned reference to bereft fans of Downton Abbey), let me know, or let them know to stop by here.  Leave a comment or send me an email (kimvelk@aol.com).

Oh - and, about the book!   Here's a little summary:

As the only child of wealthy parents, fifteen-year-old Miles McTavish appears destined for a life of trust-funded ease (and inconsequence). All that changes, however, the day he is summoned to the hospital bed of his friend, Professor Davies. The Professor tells Miles that he is to travel (on a vintage three-speed English bicycle) across the sea to England and back in time to 1928. There, he is to find "a girl with a gift, a girl born out of her time," and a "secret that was not meant to be," and then return home with them both. In addition to securing the future of "the girl"; a housemaid meant for greatness in contemporary America, Miles discovers his own capacity for resourcefulness and gallantry. His quest carries him from an English great house to London's jazz-age cabarets, and from terrified boy to heroic young man.

It's a bit of a throwback. There is little violence (a street brawl) and no sex (maybe a little sexual tension), and not even any swearing that I can think of.  I have characterized it as A Wrinkle in Time meets Captains Courageous.  It's 343 printed pages.

You can talk, right?  You can read? Type?  Use Google?  You're perfect!  Welcome tastemaker!  Hit that contact me button or leave a comment and we'll put this together.

Tobies Search for Signs of Spring

Twice last week, as I was driving home, a DJ came on my favorite station to say, "Yeah, more snow!"  I'm paraphrasing, but I wanted to throttle her.  She proceeded, in what was supposed to be a forecast and not an editorial, to wish for five feet of snow and nine months of winter.  I am considering writing a letter of complaint to the station manager.  The kids had a snow day on Tuesday this week while a foot of snow fell.  (I had to drive about 60 miles that day).

We had a day or two of sun after that, it gave a certain cast of springtime light that lit up my cheerful Toby jugs and gave us a little hope. (See above). The Tobies always look happy (well, they do drink) but this morning this is scene that greets them and me outside my home office window:

Another two inches fell overnight.  As I was typing this, the snowplow guy came and cleared our driveway.

The sun is supposed to come out later today. I hope the mud that comes next will not swallow my car.
Sometimes it's hard to hold on to that sense of superiority that we generally enjoy in northern New England.

My New Dog

Actually, my new little painting of a dog.

I like oil paintings but I can't afford to buy many.  This little guy (girl?) is on artist's board and just about the size of CD cover.  He's by an artist called Colette Davis (who said I could post his image here) and I found him while killing time on ebay.  Anyway, I was quite taken with this and by Colette's other work, which I found at her Etsy shop today.  So, just sharing.