Covid. … I won’t say more. My second novel, This Other Way of Knowing, crept silently into the world without fanfare. No celebratory launch. Its birth was the opposite of Other Wise when so many came out to the RiverRun Bookstore and we had such a lovely time. No, this one had to quietly build a readership without the joy of face to face engagement.

In July, I was invited for an Author Talk at the Windham Public Library here in Maine. It was my maiden voyage back into the world of in-person interaction (though many had already emerged, I had my reasons for refraining ) and it was glorious. Part zoom, part presence. I am grateful to Ray Marcotte for that invitation. It renewed my joy in doing what I love most about the writing life — being with readers.

And so it begins, again …

Dear singers, poets, writers, readers, makers, & creatives of everyday magic,

As we approach September — while staying in the now of August — I have begun scheduling readings and book discussions again.

First up is Sept. 6th at the South Berwick Library:  

https://southberwicklibrary.org/calendar/author-visit-mary-lou-bagley/

Listening to a voice reading to us fills a quiet need. I love that I sometimes get to be that voice.

And, … my actor self loves that I get to be all the characters. 😇🥸🤓😎🧐🤪😢😵‍💫😈😊

There will be more to come (e.g. Eliot’s William Fogg Public Library, Dec 3, at 10 am).

Come fill yourself with story. And bring a friend or two. We’ll have a grand time.

Best, Mary Lou

— And now back to listening as Margaret et al whisper in my ear and I try to get it all down. Book three in the series is underway.

Yesterday I picked up boxes of books from my publisher.

I’d seen the proof for the new book, This Other Way of Knowing. I’d seen the new cover design for the first book in the series, Other Wise. Still, looking down into the open box, seeing them piled and packed tightly — solid, beautiful, & real — I was ridiculously happy. I had to share that feeling with you — my community! And I had to offer a suggestion.

I know you know the feeling. I know you’ve had moments of ridiculous happiness in your creative life. And I hope you’ve celebrated to mark them well.

Last week, I received an email in which Emily Fletcher, a meditation teacher, suggested a gratitude practice with a kick. She talked about how a gratitude practice shifts our attention to look for what is going right and encourages our brain to see the constructive themes in our life. Then, she offered this phrase: “I am so ridiculously grateful for… .”

She went on to add, “…for everything I have and I am so excited for what’s on the way.”

I took the first words of her statement for my own use and I offer them to you. Why? … Because I’m ridiculously grateful to you for being co-creators in a world that needs rampant creativity.

As I celebrate the completion and publication of my new book, I look forward to your sharings of the bright moments that have kept you going. Those moments for which you are … so ridiculously grateful.

I love Becky Karush’s literary podcast, Read To Me. I love her voice and her ability to distill essence from a short passage of a longer work. I learn something every time I listen. I highly recommend that you sign up for her offerings. Always short. Always delightful. Always insightful.

Today I am honored to share Day 3 of SPREE WEEK on Read To Me wherein Becky reads a passage from — ta-da! — my novel Other Wise. Apologies for the blatant self-promotion but I believe her take on any piece of writing is worth a listen.

I was humbled as I listened to her delicious voice read this scene and discuss, as only Becky can, what she loves about the writing. She has given me renewed insight into my own characters, my own words, and my sometimes unconscious choices. She has brought to the surface the work of my inner writer — that wise part of the writing self always present and contributing.

Please consider signing up for regular doses of Becky’s brilliance. You won’t regret it. And check out her Gateless writing salons. She is a truly gifted facilitator.

https://www.readtomepod.com/season2episodes/spreeweekday3?fbclid=IwAR0Dk1NEs69rhv7qsuluEZPtplIpsYwrvmAJ8xKf0B9Aua5mMTadWOfnc_M