Long-Awaited Return to Paris (oui, je t'aime)
Some highlights from my trip and...only 3.5 weeks until the book release!
(Pre-amble: too bad this isn’t like J-Lo’s newsletter where I just send you a video of me showing off a giant green diamond engagement ring. Instead, we will talk about books and stuff. You may now unsubscribe.)
They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and I can now affirm this is true not only of people, but of cities. More specifically…Paris.
Ah…Paris.
I hadn’t travelled in two and a half years, which meant I hadn’t been in Paris for as much time either. I was a little nervous stepping back onto a plane for that first transatlantic flight since Covid, but once the wine-and-melatonin cocktail was in my veins (my go-to mix to avoid jet lag), I was overcome with anticipation.
And then…I arrived. That first moment when my eyes took in the sight of my two best friends at the airport…let’s just say that the normally ugly CDG Terminal 2A arrivals had never looked more scenic and perfect.
Here we are, post airport and refreshed:
The real point of the trip was Sicily, a chance for my friends and I to take our first trip together—after spending all that time apart during Covid. But as if I wasn’t going to book-end the trip with Paris? OF COURSE I WAS.
It may have only been a few days in total, but A: it was blue-sky sunny the entire time (rare for Paris—maybe it was destiny?), and B: I made sure to do alllll the things while I was there. Here’s a quick visual summary:
A post-vacation surprise
Before I knew it, I had returned from Europe, and waiting for me upon my arrival was a wonderful surprise:
Holding the book in my hands was a special feeling, and I must’ve blacked out along the way, because all of a sudden…it was…well…now, and there are only three and a half weeks until the book comes out.
(I’m not freaking out, you are).
Preorders: remember those?
Preorders remain incredibly important; like to the point where if your book doesn’t have a solid amount, retailers will think you’re pretty basic (that’s not the official business explanation, but it should be). Needless to say, many of you have already preordered the book to support the little author human that is me, and it is deeply appreciated. If, since then, you’ve thought of anyone else in your life who might enjoy the book, you can preorder a copy for them too! No pressure, though. Except, there is. So do it. Now. Just kidding. (Am I?) Preorder at the various retailers here.
Here is my book at the beach
That’s right, my book has now been to Mexico whereas I have not. It’s incredibly rude. At least the book is fulfilling its destiny of being a spectacular beach read.
Book giveaways
I recently did a giveaway for signed copies of 24 Hours in Paris, and I was only going to give away 3 copies, but there was so much demand I had to level up and give away 5! A lot of the people who requested the book are fans of my Year of the Chick series, so if you’re reading this now: thank you for supporting me all these years!! You’re the best.
I’ll try to do more giveaways in the future, but in the meantime, my publisher is giving away 5 print copies on Goodreads, and you can enter the giveaway here.
First podcast and my weird voice
That’s right. I’m still not totally down with my voice, but how could I pass up the opportunity to do a podcast interview? It was…the best. Just so many laughs, tangents, and of course, such a great platform for my writer self to discuss the self-pub journey, the traditional publishing journey, and everything in between. You can listen to the free podcast on Apple or Spotify; it’s called This Podcast Needs a Title and it’s episode 21. Listen on Spotify Listen on Apple Podcasts
And with that, I must go. Simply put, there are so many things still left to do, and so many things to be nervous about until book launch day on May 10th. But I promise you this: I’ll tell you all about it when the big day comes.
Thanks for reading.
Romi