We’re officially in the dog days of summer, which means it’s a great time to stay inside and read or write! Looking for how to get involved in the area? I gotchu! Planning on going away for a vacation instead? I’ve got you covered there too! Read on!
Upcoming Events
Thursday, July 1st-Sunday, July 5th, at Books-a-Million (1720 Old Fort Pkwy, 2003A, Murfreesboro): Sky Ridge Hotshots Slowburn Summer Deal
Books-A-Million Murfreesboro is having a series of sales on the summer’s popular romance books, and they’re calling it Slowburn Summer. This week, if you buy one of the books of the Sky Ridge Hotshots series, you get one 50% off, plus an SRH calendar too! Click here for more info!
Saturday, July 4th, at The Grand Exchange (21 S. Public Sq, Murfreesboro): Lindsey’s Birthday Celebration
It’s not only the USA’s birthday but the owner of TGE’s too! Lindsey is turning 24, so not only are plants and books 24% off but the first 24 customers to the store get a free cupcake! There will also be freebies, special bookmarks, and plant party hats with every purchase! Go drop by and wish Lindsey a happy birthday!
Monday, July 6th-Sunday July 12th, at Books-a-Million: Romantasy Slowburn Summer Deal
And in the second week of July, select romantasy titles at Books-A-Million are also Buy One, Get One 50% off with a special art print too! Click here for more info!
Friday, July 10th, 1-4 PM, at Linebaugh Library (105 W Vine St, Murfreesboro): Detra Flowers Author Event
Come see Detra and buy a signed copy of her “trauma-informed workbook,” Renewed After Ruin! Click the image above for more info.
Sunday, July 12th, 3-5 PM, at Dapper Owl Coffee Pub (2412 E Main St, Murfreesboro): Writers’ Mingle Featuring Gregory Lannom
Come hang out with writers of all genres, all levels, all ages for a fun afternoon of chatting, games, and an inspiring message from poet and artist Gregory Lannom! The details are here on the RAA website.
Wednesday, July 15th, 9 AM-12 PM, at Patterson Park (521 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Murfreesboro): Linebaugh and MGL Summer Reading Grand Finale Foam Party & Field Day
If your kid has been participating in the Unearth A Story Summer Reading Program with either MGL or Linebaugh, come to Patterson Park to celebrate the completion of the program! There will be a Foam Party, community vendors, the Bookmobile, and access to the brand new splash pad and playground! The fun starts at 9 am inside the Myrtle Glanton Lord branch, where you can pick up your summer reading completion prizes. At 10 am, we’ll move outdoors for the foam party! Patrons wishing for a quieter time can remain on the MGL patio with sidewalk chalk and bubbles. Click here for more info.
Saturday, July 25th, 11 AM-1 PM, at Linebaugh Library: “Getting Published and Staying That Way” Talk and Book Signing with Shelley Shepard Gray
Aspiring writers and fans of Inspirational and Amish Romance! Join us Saturday, July 25th at 11 a.m., when Shelley Shepard Gray will speak about getting published, staying published, the research process, finding a niche, developing a readership, and working with publishers. There will be a book signing after the talk. Registration to attend is required. You may register here.
Sunday, July 26th, 6-8 PM, at Dapper Owl: Poetry in the Boro with Kenny Rae
Come join us at The Dapper Owl for a night of coffee, snacks, and—yes!—poetry! We’ll be hearing from Kenny Rae then trying out a lottery-style open mic! Stay tuned to PitB socials or website for more information.
Some Thoughts on Vacationing
So, yes, you’re hopefully getting a chance to go away for a little reprieve sometime this summer. I just got back from my family vacation (the first in two years!), and I have a few tips as a reader and writer on how to properly relax in a bookish sort of way.
Some must-haves include Dramamine, wireless headphones, and a camping chair. That camping chair stayed with me pretty much the whole trip, and it was amazing. While we went hiking or playing on the beach, I told my girls, “Stay where I can see you,” then I just set up my chair in a shady spot and read while I watched them.
If you have kids, a thing I’ve learned is that if you play with them first, they’re more willing to leave you alone for independent play later. This makes sure you are getting some quality family time before some much-needed alone time. Set clear boundaries and expectations, and invite them to join you if they’d like: “Let’s play for thirty minutes, and then I’m going to read a book out on the balcony. You can bring something quiet to do with me, but I’m not going to talk much or get up.”
Balance rest and activity. This is one nice thing about having a little one who still naps; we were always back in our room after lunch time for quiet time. Sometimes that quiet time was spent watching TV with my bigger kiddo, sometimes it was catching up on sleep myself, and sometimes it was reading or writing.
Be realistic that you’re not going to get as much done. It is vacation, after all. Make your reading or writing goals realistic so you don’t disappoint yourself.
Network where you are! Visit libraries or bookstores where you’re vacationing! Talk to other people you see reading or writing. Our resort had a little free library, and I wish I had brought a few books to leave there! Instead, I left some of my cards that have a QR code to get to my portfolio with links for reading (cough cough). I also chatted with a family from Pittsburgh whose granddaughter enjoyed playing with my girls on the beach, and I ended up selling two books to them! (I mailed them off this morning.)
Have any other tips for reading and writing on vacation? Let me know! I’d love to hear it!!
And while you’re at it, if you have events coming up that you want on the blog, hit me up! My email is taffetachimewrites@gmail.com. See you in August—when school starts back again! YES!!
Image courtesy of @pedroooo
