Thursday, February 16, 2017

BOOK CHAT: So, This Exciting Thing Happened!

So, I recently had something very exciting happen, and it has been in the works for quite a while.  Why have I waited so long to share the news?  Because I simply had a hard time believing that this was happening to me!  However, the final result is here and I am so excited to share it with you!


In the little city that I live in, we have a free magazine that our local newspaper releases about every other month.  It's called What Women Want.  I had not previously heard of this magazine until recently, but I am so excited about it!  And, I am even more excited because I was recently featured in it!


Here I am featured so nicely on the index page!  I was so surprised to see such a large picture!

Back in the fall, I was approached by a local author that I met through a writing group at the library.  She wanted to chat more about this little blog that I mentioned in passing, and that little chat turned into a little interview to be featured at a future date for this little magazine.  At first, I was a bit hesitant, but then I thought . . . "Why not?"  This could be a fun opportunity!


We spoke over the phone for the interview, and it was so fun to share about this project of mine that I have had going for almost ten years.  I loved chatting about the side projects that blogging has created for me, and as usual, I loved chatting about my love of all things books.

At the end of the interview, this writer mentioned that I would be contacted for a picture to be included with the piece.  I had no idea what this would entail!  A local photographer arranged to stop by my home to take pictures of me in my natural blogging setting.  Before he arrived, I was so nervous!  I prefer to be on the other side of the camera and not the one having pictures taken of me.  I had had a long day at work, and was rushing to get home in time.  I was running around at the last minute picking up items, and trying to ensure all would be ready for this little shoot.  The photographer was here for an hour, taking pictures in different places and poses.  I was sure that he was going to walk away disappointed in his subject, and unable to make the shots work.  I was wrong!  I ended up very pleased with the photos, and I hope to get some copies of them to officially use here on the blog as well as to support a local literacy program.


In the end, I was so pleased with the piece and the pictures, and the local response has been fun.  I received texts on the morning the magazine was released, and I was pleasantly surprised to receive such kind words.  I have had so many others approach me, expressing excitement to find a fellow book lover and to compliment me on the piece.  I feel so grateful that I was provided this opportunity, and that my community has responded so positively to my little dual life that I lead.  All of these little steps turned into a big beauty in my eyes!

Huge thanks to Jenny Kunka for the interview of a lifetime and to Rion Sanders for creating such great photos from this crazy small-time blogger!  I cannot tell them enough how much I appreciate their talents and hard work!

For those interested, you can view the full article on the Great Falls Tribune website.

Have you ever been featured for your blog?  Or, have you recently discovered my little corner of the blogging world because of this piece?

16 comments:

  1. Wow! Congrats! Way to represent us bloggers! Woo! Those pictures did turn out very nice!

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  2. Oh how exciting! You look great! I'll have to go read your interview!

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  3. How exciting! Congratulations. That's a very nice write up and wonderful photos.

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    1. Chris Wolak ... Thank you! I appreciate your kind words!

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  4. Very, very cool...also I didn't know you were an elementary school counselor. Hmmm. The things you learn from the news...that isn't fake news, is it? ;)

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    1. Bryan G. Robinson ... LOL! It may or may not be fake news or alternative facts. I will not confirm or deny it! ;)

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  5. WOW, how cool! That is awesome! :)

    I haven't been in something like this though my picture was once in the newspaper when I was a young thing at a library book sale... I was wearing a hat and intently looking at books, so apparently they thought it was cool. XD

    Anyways, that is so neat -- congrats! Love the pics etc. :)

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    1. Deborah O'Carroll ... Thank you! I think it is cool that you made the newspaper at the book sale! That rocks too!!

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  6. I love the pictures of you! You should use them as your new profile pics :)

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    1. Tasha B. ... I really liked how they turned out. I'm hoping to get my hands on them soon for my profile pics!!

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  7. Congratulations! That is so exciting!

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  8. This is SO COOL, Tif! I don't think I've ever been featured anywhere as a blogger so you should definitely feel special ... like you are. :)

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    1. Kristen M. ... Thank you so much!! I still can't believe this happened to me!

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