There's a First for Everything!

Yesterday, I was called to speak on a panel with barely a half hour’s notice. There’s a first time for everything! During the break, I peeked at the interview questions before taking the hot seat. I had to laugh to myself - what a great story this would make!

Swigging some coffee, I looked over the tables of CDOs, VPs, and digital professionals. Technically, this could go either way. But I felt calm because I knew that my insights would help others, and matched my mission to inspire hope and empathy for people and planet.

The outcome? It went swimmingly well and sparked conversation. The organizer even said “You must give keynotes!” My lessons? 1) focus on your main messages, 2) maintain a sense of humor, 3) connect with and invite the audience to participate.

ANOTHER FIRST

This past week, another first was meeting with a book club that selected all THREE of my books for their summer read.

Have you ever tried to decide on an activity as a group? From my own experience in a book club, it’s not always easy to pick a book that everyone wants to try.

So I’m especially impressed that the Kansas City book club picked the full Goodbye Orchid series for their September meeting; the entire trio, triumvirate, trilogy!

Shelly Ayers met me through her Chicago book club and invited me to join her book club located near her second home. They’ve been together since 2007. wow!

Here’s the book club zooming with me from one member’s beautiful home:

"You inspired us. I loved hearing about the behind-the-scenes stories. Thank you for spending time with us!" - Kansas City Book Club

A WEEK OF FIRSTS

A friend sent me the below article from Suburban Essex Magazine. I was touched to appear in my hometown magazine for the first time! Journalist Jackie Schatell credited my writing for “significant literary impact” and “poignant storytelling.”

If you’d like, read the full article here:

Source: Suburban Essex Magazine

YOUR TURN!

If you’d like to try some new reads, these books are all available as ebooks on Amazon (or fr3e with a Kindle Unlimited membership):

https://books.carolvandenhende.com/KUReadersPageParty/68z3yii7fy

ARE YOU IN NEW JERSEY?

If you’re in NJ, please join me at the Hoboken Library Festival this Saturday from 11am-3pm. The weather is forecasted to be 72 and sunny. This is my third time signing books at this venue. It’s a fun, family-friendly event!

As always, I’m wishing you joy, meaning, and orchids!