My Journey Archives - Page 2 of 7

Author’s experiences with writing, editing, publishing, networking, and travel.

Books, Writing, History, and Me

In “Books, Writing, History, and Me” I share my thoughts on travel, cooking, van-life, books, the process of writing, the experiences of an indie-publisher, WWII, the Holocaust, and anything else I feel might be of interest to readers of my books. Please send me comments and let me know what you like and what you want to know more about. Everything in this blog reflects my personal ideas and feelings–a memoir of sorts, it is my perspective and any errors or omissions are mine.

A Reading Challenge for Travel Lovers

I have been aware of book-reading challenges for some time but I never thought I would join one. My own bookshelves offer enough of a challenge. I am a book buying addict and my shelves overflow with books waiting to be read. I love used book stores, Friends of the Library shops, and most of all, the shelves of college bookstores in the English literature section. I have a weakness for YA fiction because of its edginess and always check out those shelves in bookstores. Even the neighborhood Little Free Library across the street from my home occasionally offers up treasures. My Kindle library is almost as full as my actual book shelves. During the “stay at home days” of 2020, I, like many, read more than ever and made inroads into my stacks of unread books. And I have to admit I bought a few new books too. The [...]

Katie Slattery2021-01-17T19:09:18+00:00January 17th, 2021|Tags: books, reading challenge, travel|0 Comments

Resolutions

Happy New Year! Have you made a 2021 resolution? Years ago, I swore I would never again waste my resolution on “losing weight.” Though I usually succeeded with a dozen pounds or more in the short term, by the time January rolled around again, the efforts I had made would be buried under the joys of eating and drinking. That old “lose weight” goal was both self-perpetuating and boring! I am no slimmer (maybe heavier) these days, but at least I don’t dread the idea of making a New Year resolution. […]

Katie Slattery2021-01-04T02:50:31+00:00January 3rd, 2021|Tags: 2021, book launch, Caitlin, resolutions|0 Comments

Memories of Christmas Past or, So You Think this Holiday Season is Sad?

2020 has been a year to forget. And now we are looking forward to a Holiday that is limited by a pandemic – a Christmas or Chanukah without our usual parties or family gatherings. This got me thinking about other Christmases that were less than perfect. There have been a few, but one stands out in my memory as the worst. In December of 1969, I was teaching, living in Southern California, and busy falling in love with Tom who would later become my husband. His career as a ship’s engineer took him away for long periods of time, and that year I expected him to be away. Then late at night on December 22nd, I got an unexpected ship to shore radio phone call. Tom was excited. “The ship is coming into San Francisco the day after tomorrow but instead of only one day, we’ll be in dry dock [...]

Katie Slattery2020-12-27T19:25:18+00:00December 18th, 2020|Tags: car trips, Christmas, memoir|1 Comment

An Indie-author’s Quest for Book Reviews

As an indie-author/publisher, my work does not stop when a book is released. Unlike 4 years ago when I launched Immigrant Soldier, 2020, with its Covid-19 shut-downs, has made live visits to bookstores, libraries, and book groups impossible. These days, my publicity efforts must center on social media and gathering book reviews. Getting reviews is (and always has been) an integral part of publicity. However large media outlets and prestigious journals still practice a kind of “book snobbery.” They seldom review books that are independently published. What’s an Indie-author to do? The process of getting reviews is far different than it was only a few years ago. The big journals, most of which now also have an on-line presence, (Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, Foreword Reviews and the book sections of major newspapers like The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and The New York Times) still attract librarians, publishers, bookstore [...]

Katie Slattery2020-11-09T02:13:26+00:00November 8th, 2020|Tags: indie-author, reviews, self-publishing|0 Comments

Covid-19 Journals
Gallery
Covid-19 Journals

Memoir, My Journey, Travel, Writing

Covid-19 Journals

Recently I spent a few hours looking through my dozens of travel journals. As I flipped through the pages, it occurred to me that now, during the Covid-19 pandemic, would be a good time to keep a diary. Unlike many who love to write, I’ve never been a consistent journalist. In fact, the only times I try to keep a daily account of my life is when I’m traveling. Over the years, I’ve developed a personal style that works for keeping track of all the little frustrations and joys of being on the road. […]

Katie Slattery2020-10-26T18:24:27+00:00October 23rd, 2020|Tags: 6 hints, covid-19, journals, pandemic|2 Comments

Maps for a Travel Memoir

From the very beginning, I knew Wherever the Road Leads needed maps. Once the early manuscript draft was sent to Beta Readers for feedback, I filled the waiting time working on the seven maps I envisioned. I wanted them to show the journey’s route, major stops along the way, and display a few small drawings. […]

Katie Slattery2020-10-10T00:30:39+00:00October 10th, 2020|Tags: illustrations, maps, travel memoir|1 Comment

Readers Can Help Get the Word Out

Trying to launch a new book during the Covid-19 Pandemic calls for special tactics. Normally, I would be setting up in-person author visits at bookstores and giving presentations and talks at libraries and to book groups. Now, with personal appearances impossible, I’m trying to figure out new, digital ways to let readers know about my upcoming memoir, Wherever the Road Leads. I am in the midst of planning a fun, virtual Webinar-style launch party for the first week of December and I’m turning to you, my friends and readers, to ask a favor. Yes, you can help! I’ve put together a list of ways you can help get the word out about my new book. I hope you will find something that fits your time and interests. Just a few minutes on line is all some of these suggestions will take—anything you can do will be appreciated. Of course, if [...]

Katie Slattery2020-09-19T19:37:31+00:00September 18th, 2020|0 Comments

Climbing the Mango Trees

I am at it again – reading memoirs. Recently I was lucky enough to find the delightful memoir, Climbing the Mango Trees, A Memoir of a Childhood in India, by Madhur Jaffrey. […]

Katie Slattery2020-09-13T22:24:23+00:00September 11th, 2020|1 Comment

Memory of a Beijing Market

March 2003. Tom burst into the room as I finished my second cup of tea. “I’ve found the market,” he announced. “It’s just around the corner.” We had arrived in Beijing the afternoon before. After checking into the hotel, eating a Chinese meal in a dining room filled with western tourists, and wandering Tiananmen Square in the falling dusk, we fell into bed, heavy with travel fatigue. But our body clocks were not yet on Beijing time and we were both wide awake while the city still struggled to turn night into morning. My husband, normally an early riser, decided to explore the neighborhood as dawn slowly crept through the alleyways. I opted for a quiet moment with hot tea and a guide book. […]

Katie Slattery2020-08-30T04:13:35+00:00August 30th, 2020|Tags: Beijing, Chinese market, local markets, memoir, memories, travel|1 Comment

Collecting Fabric as a Travel Souvenir

A Facebook friend, a lady who is a master quiltmaker, recently posted a T-shirt with the following slogan emblazoned across the front: “I sew, but my favorite hobby is collecting fabric.” […]

Katie Slattery2020-08-15T18:57:53+00:00August 15th, 2020|Tags: fabric collecting, memories, souvenirs, travel, travel memoir|4 Comments

Previous 123 Next