Official (Virtual) Book Tour: Keep Me Afloat

“The only way to survive the storm is to sail through it”

Welcome to my virtual tour!

I’m so glad you’re here! Because my March–April Western Washington book tour was canceled* due to coronavirus, I’ve decided to host an online book tour right here on my website. On the tour, I’ll be talking about the inspiration for my new book, Keep Me Afloat; reading exclusive excerpts; revealing behind-the-scenes glimpses into my editing notes, workspace, and four-legged support team; showing you around the actual setting of the book; hosting a GIVEAWAY; and more!

How it works:

• Videos: For the week of April, I’ll be posting a new video (or two!) a week right here on this page. Videos will include readings, behind-the-scenes info, and more. If you’d like to submit a question for me to answer on camera about my writing process or specifically about Keep Me Afloat, email me!

• Book-buying: You can find Keep Me Afloat on Amazon, but if you’d like to support one of the lovely independent bookstores that were a part of my canceled in-person tour, I’ve provided links below. Bonus: If you order through one of the bookstores below and send me the confirmation, I’ll mail you a FREE signed bookplate with my signature to make it a “signed copy.” Note: This is while my bookplate supplies last.

• Giveaway: What’s a book tour without giveaways?! I’ll be dropping clues in my videos and offering prizes to tour participants—stay tuned for more info!

Video Schedule:

• Video #1, April 2: Introductions and tour details

• Video #2, April 7: What inspired Keep Me Afloat?

• Video #3, April 9: Port Townsend tour! See where Keep Me Afloat takes place

• Video #4, April 14: Excerpt reading!

• Video #5, April 16: Behind-the-scenes details

• Video #6, April 21: Another excerpt reading!

• Video #7, April 25: I’ll answer your questions!

*Don’t worry, I’m working with bookstores to reschedule in-person readings and discussions when it becomes safe for us to hold public events again.

Videos

Video #1: Introductions and a quick tour of my job as a horse caretaker

Video #1 includes tour details and a lil' glimpse into my life as a horse caretaker in the Pacific Northwest. Please excuse my limited video-creation capabilities—I’m doing my best! Audio, weird transitions, and more—I’ll get better as I go along. :)

Video #2: What inspired Keep Me Afloat, plus a giveaway!

Video #2 is all about inspiration! Learn how Keep Me Afloat came to be, from career woes to whales. Also: This is my first GIVEAWAY video!

What’s the prize? See the prize at the very end of my video.

Giveaway entry question: What is the NAME (letter + number) of the specific orca whale I mention in my video?

How to enter: Email me through my contact form with your answer to the question above! Use the subject: Giveaway.

The first person to answer my question correctly will win! Must be a resident of the United States.

Video #3: Visiting the setting of Keep Me Afloat, Port Townsend, WA!

Today, we're visiting the setting of Keep Me Afloat, Port Townsend, Washington! I hope you enjoy this little tour of some of the book's landmarks and locations.

Video #4: A coffee-themed reading + a cameo from my cat Violet

Cozy up with a cup of coffee (or tea!) and enjoy these coffee-themed readings from Keep Me Afloat.

Video #5: My Writing Process

Here’s a sneak peek into my writing process! This video features a behind-the-scenes glimpse into how I write and edit my books. Plus, some photos from the dream trip that “Keep Me Afloat” helped me finally take.

I’m also doing another giveaway! Win audiobook copies of BOTH my books by following the directions in the video.

You can subscribe to my newsletter here.

Read more about my trip to French Polynesia:

• A story about the whales.

• More about swimming with sharks!

Video #6: A nature reading

Today, I’m bringing you a nature-themed reading! All the excerpts touch on marine life and the role that the Pacific Northwest plays in the book. And I’m reading outside! Can you hear the birds chirping?

Video #7: Q&A

This is my LAST TOUR VIDEO! For this video, I’m answering reader questions, including more info about my next book. Enjoy! Thank you so much for tuning in to the tour.

Independent Bookstores

The following bookstores were involved in my in-person book tour, which has since been canceled due to coronavirus. These independent bookstores are relying on direct orders to stay in business while they are closed to browsers and in-store purchases. If you order through one of the bookstores below and send me the confirmation, I’ll mail you a FREE signed bookplate with my signature to make it a “signed copy.” Note: This is while my bookplate supplies last.

• Writer’s Workshoppe and Imprint Books, Port Townsend, WA

• Liberty Bay Books, Poulsbo, WA

• Ballast Book Co, Bremerton, WA

• Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park, WA

• Paper Boat Booksellers, West Seattle, WA

• Village Books, Bellingham, WA

About Keep Me Afloat

A moving story about true love and heartbreak, mistakes and redemption, forgiveness and second chances.

Five years ago, marine biologist Abby Fisher made a mistake that cost her everything. Rather than face the consequences, she fled home to start anew—and built the career she’d always dreamed of. But when her research program runs out of funding, she’s adrift once again and decides to return to the safe harbor of her family and friends.

Except nothing at home is how she remembered.

Her friendships are strained, her normally affectionate parents seem distant, and her once-great love story is now just a painful memory. What’s worse, she keeps running into the people she hurt years ago—and they aren’t ready to forgive her.

Abby is determined to atone for her mistakes, but she can’t seem to move beyond her guilt for a chance of future happiness. Can Abby learn to sail through the storm, or will she remain lost at sea?

Poignant and heartfelt, Keep Me Afloat asks the question: How can you expect forgiveness from others if you can’t even forgive yourself?

What readers are saying on Goodreads