It's time for The Great & Powerful A to Z Theme Reveal hosted by Team Damyanti! To view all of the participants in today's fest and hop around to see their themes, visit the Linky List here.
My theme for this April is an A to Z of the island of Martha's Vineyard. I chose this theme because the island is the setting for my novel The Ghosts of Aquinnah and I had such a great time with my A to Z of Alaska for Polar Night last year that I wanted to do something similar this year.
A big difference though is that I know a great deal about Martha's Vineyard because of family connections and more trips to the island than I can count, whereas I've still never been to Alaska and learned an amazing amount about the state both while researching my novel and while writing the posts for last year's Challenge. I didn't really think I could learn anything new about Martha's Vineyard while writing this year's posts, but I was surprised to find out that I was wrong about that.
So I'm excited to share what I learned and what I already knew throughout April. Anyone who has visited this blog on a regular basis knows I have a great love for the Vineyard, so I am really looking forward to this year's Challenge.
My writing group Untethered Realms is also participating in the A to Z this year, so please stop by our blog here to learn about our theme.
In other news, my publisher Ink Smith has started a new book club which allows members to read featured Ink Smith books for free. After downloading featured books, members can earn rewards points in exchange for reviews. Membership is free with no strings attached, and it's a fun way to discover our books and authors. If you're interested in learning more or signing up visit the club site here.
Finally, we've made it to the end of another week which means it's time to Celebrate the Small Things with Vikki at Scribblings of an Aspiring Author.
I've been hibernating in my writing cave for the past few weeks and today I'm celebrating that my hiding out has paid off and I've made tons of progress on my sequel to Polar Night. Finally! When I wrote Polar Night I had no plans to write a sequel but then I got an idea that kept hopping around in my head and I wanted to run with it. It's been slow going, to put it mildly, but now I finally feel like it's come together. So I'm doing the happy dance and hoping that feeling continues.
Happy Friday and weekend to all!
Wow. A sequel to Polar Night? Cool! (No pun intended. LOL)
ReplyDeleteGood luck with AtoZ. :)
I'm so happy that you've started on the sequel to Polar Night.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed that story!
See you around on the A to Z circuit.
Writer in Transit
I really need to do some more hiding and writing in my cave - although around here we say "shell" :)
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to your A-Z posts! I really enjoyed those Alaska ones.
Hiding out can be a good thing at times. Happy writing.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the writing progress. And looking forward to your A to Z posts. :)
ReplyDeleteOoooo...can't wait for the sequel to Polar Night! I love reading your A to Z posts. So enlightening!!
ReplyDeleteYou have set yourself quite a goal for the coming year, my girl. And already, I can see that a sequel to Polar Night is well anticipated. It'll also be interesting to learn more about Martha's Vineyard; love that island.
ReplyDeleteBut for now, dig yourself out of the snow and the cave and celebrate a little with us: It's Spring!
@Melissa, LOL. Thanks!
ReplyDelete@Michelle, oh, thanks, I appreciate that!
@Madeline, I like shell better, I'm going to start using that. Caves make me feel claustrophobic LOL. Thanks!
@Marilyn, it definitely can, thanks so much.
@LG, thanks! :)
@Cathy, I hope you will like them this year too, thank you!
@Inge, I will, thanks! I hope you and Pasha are celebrating too. :)
Back in high school I was supposed to work at a bakery on Martha's Vineyard for the summer. Good thing it fell through because I would have return to school unable to fit into my desk. I'm looking forward to seeing what you have to write about the beautiful island.
ReplyDeleteA great theme! Have fun. I'm going to be in my editing cave.
ReplyDeleteYeah, those sequels that hop around in your head are painful if you don't let them out. They put on cleats and start stomping to get your attention. ;)
ReplyDeleteThat's a great theme! I've never been to Martha's Vineyard so I'd like to learn about it.
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ReplyDeleteI think that's a great theme, especially after the success of your theme last year.
ReplyDeleteThe fabulous posts you did on Alaska were what first attracted me to your blog. I can't wait to read interesting things about MV. Congats on getting work done on the sequel. Yay!! You should be so proud. I'm taking a break from my WIP, but you inspire me to work harder. Have a wonderful weekend, Julie! :)
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to your A to Z posts. It'll be a good opportunity to learn more about your book and its settings before I read it.
ReplyDelete@Nana, LOL, I would never be able to handle working in a bakery either, I'd have to be rolled out of there by the end of the summer. Thanks!
ReplyDelete@Carol, good luck in your cave!
@River, LOL, yeah, the sequel has been stomping and giving me a headache from hell. :D
@Alex, thanks!
@Lexa, aww, thanks so much. I am so glad we connected last year!
@Vanessa, oh, thanks!
Congrats on progress of Polar Nights sequel.
ReplyDeleteI'm not surprised you were inspired by Martha's Vineyard;the photos published on your blog were so beautiful. I'm looking forward to more and information.
It sounds like we're in the same "boat" with that sequel thing. I need to plan better.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to learning more about Martha's Vineyard in April!
Glad you made some progress with your writing, always a good feeling!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for the A to Z challenge, Martha's Vineyard! Fascinating ;)
Wahoo! Martha's Vinyard... You blogged about this earlier in the month--I know it. That, or my telepathic powers have amplified to frightening proportions.
ReplyDeleteI'm totally stoked about your sequel. Don't you love it when you have a story that demands to be told?
Happy Dancing with you! Way to go with your sequel!
ReplyDeleteAnd I loved your theme last year, so I know I'm going to enjoy learning more about Martha's Vineyard. (I went there once for a day of honeymoon time)
A sequel? That's awesome! Glad the time in the writing cave paid off. :)
ReplyDeleteMartha's Vineyard is a great theme. I love taking the ferry over from Falmouth whenever I can.
ReplyDeleteI plan to spend the next few weeks in my writing cave and come out for the blog hop.
Martha's Vineyard is a great theme. I love taking the ferry over from Falmouth whenever I can.
ReplyDeleteI plan to spend the next few weeks in my writing cave and come out for the blog hop.
@Fanny, thanks so much, I'm excited about the sequel now.
ReplyDelete@Lee, yeah, me too! I'm working on it LOL.
@SK, yeah, it feels great. Thanks!
@Crystal, LOL, I accidentally published one of my Vineyard posts so it may have shown up in your feed before I deleted it. Or you are telepathic. :D And thanks so much about the sequel!
@Tyrean, oh, I hope you enjoyed your visit to the island. Thanks!
@Loni, it did, thanks so much.
@Scribbling, oh, I am jealous that you live near the island! I love taking the ferry so much. Good luck in your cave!
An exploration of Martha's Vinyard sounds awesome, Julie! My glass of wine & I shall enjoy your posts in April!!
ReplyDeleteWriterlySam
resident bartender for A to Z Theme Reveal Party!
I've noticed quite a few people are doing themes directly related to their books. Smart idea!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to reading your posts :) Good luck with your sequel.
ReplyDelete@Samantha, thanks again for hosting and for being such a great bartender!
ReplyDelete@Steven, it was fun last year, I hope it will be again. Thanks!
@Laura, thank you!
I'm now reworking the middle to end of Killer Stilettos. But have been writing summaries of what I want these chapters to reflect.
ReplyDeleteHugs and chocolate!
Hi Julie - that will be great to learn more about Martha's Vineyard .. and some of your ancestors .. looking forward to it - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the progress you've been making on the book. I'll be checking on you during the Challenge.
ReplyDeleteI like your theme! I visited Martha's Vineyard as a kid but haven't been back in years so it will be fun to read about the place!
ReplyDeleteHappy dances are always a good thing, Julie. Your theme sounds exciting. I'll have to check out that book club.
ReplyDeleteMJ, A to Z Challenge Co-Host
Writing Tips
Effectively Human
Lots of Crochet Stitches
Hooray for the sequel taking off!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your Alaska series very much and look forward to virtually traveling to Martha's Vinyard this year. :)
@shelly, hugs back to you! Good luck with the reworking.
ReplyDelete@Hilary, I hope you will like it, thanks!
@Joy, thanks!
@Marcy, oh, I love it there so much. Thanks!
@MJ, I hope it will go well, thank you.
@Nicki, yay! Thanks. :)
I've never been to Martha's Vineyard and know very little about it. Great topic especially in relation to your novel.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the Challenge!
Lee
Wrote By Rote
An A to Z Co-host blog
Great theme for the A-to-Z challenge, Julie! Also, hurray for all the progress you've made for the Polar Night sequel! I love the first book, so this progress and the fact that there will be a sequel at all is exciting to me... :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome to hear about your writing progress. The sequel is going to be amazing. That's a very appropriate April theme. Your posts are always so interesting and informative.
ReplyDeleteAwesome theme! I'll be doing the A to Z only for our UR group, and pulling back from blogging a bit on my own blog so I can take in as many A to Z participants as possible. Excellent with your progress on your Polar Night sequel! Have a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to go to Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, so this should be lots of fun to read about!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on all the work you did on your new book, Julie! I can't wait to learn about Martha's Vineyard from reading your blogs. It looks like a beautiful place. We'd love to visit there sometime. Happy weekend.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to your A-Z posts Julie. Now that's a club I'd love to join and I already review books so... Congrats on your sequel going well and enjoy your weekend.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to check out that book club. Love your theme. I want to visit Martha's Vineyard. It looks so me: beach, island, history...all things that make me drool!
ReplyDelete@Lee, thanks and good luck to you as well.
ReplyDelete@Heather, I'm thrilled you're excited about it, thanks!
@Michael, that's so nice of you to say, thanks.
@Christine, thanks and I hope you are having a great weekend too. :)
@Cathy, I hope you will enjoy the posts, thanks!
@Deanie, it really is a gorgeous place, thanks so much.
@Sheena, oh, you should join the book club! Thanks and I hope you have a wonderful weekend as well.
@Elizabeth, things that make me drool too LOL. Thanks!
Sounds like a great theme for the Challenge. I enjoyed following your Alaska theme last year.
ReplyDeleteMary Montague Sikes
Hi Julie,
ReplyDeleteSorry about being, hopefully, fashionably late :)
Your A to Z, one moment, please....I have trouble typing "A to Z"...doh!
Your theme ties in nicely with your book. Of course, who the heck is Martha? LOL
Good to know you have an idea hopping around in your end in regards to a Polar Night sequel.
A peaceful weekend to you, Julie.
Gary :)
Looking forward to your theme. After reading the book, I'm looking forward to learning more about the area :-)
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to learning a bit about Martha's Vineyard. Sounds like a perfect theme for you.
ReplyDelete@Mary, thanks so much, I appreciate that.
ReplyDelete@Gary, LOL, I know April is a difficult month for you. :D I hope you and Penny are having a peaceful weekend too.
@Annalisa, thanks! And thanks again for reading the book. :)
@Rhonda, I hope so, thank you.
I like how your A2Z posts tie in directly with your novels. Very cool idea.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for your sequel to Polar Night to come out! I haven't been to Martha's Vineyard since I was a little girl, so reading your A-Z posts will bring back memories, as well as set the stage for The Ghosts of Aquinnah.
ReplyDeleteJulie
I love the Vineyard, too! I'm looking forward to learning more about it :) Great theme!
ReplyDelete@Milo, thanks!
ReplyDelete@Julie, oh, I didn't know you'd been to MV. I hope you will enjoy the posts, thanks!
@Liz, thanks so much! It's always great to find another Vineyard lover. :)
@Milo, thanks!
ReplyDelete@Julie, oh, I didn't know you'd been to MV. I hope you will enjoy the posts, thanks!
@Liz, thanks so much! It's always great to find another Vineyard lover. :)