There is no greater honour for a writer than knowing their words are being shared, debated, and dissected over cups of coffee and shared plates of snacks. This month, my heart is feeling especially full: a local book group has officially selected "Behind the Stars" for their January read!

The group has picked up 11 copies of the book, and I’ve been told they are already diving into the chapters. As an author, you often spend years alone with your characters, wondering if their journeys will resonate with anyone else. Seeing a stack of your books ready for a group discussion is a powerful reminder of why we tell stories in the first place... to connect.

Saving a Seat at the Table

The best part of this news? I won’t just be hearing about the discussion second-hand. I have been invited to join the group in early February for a live Q&A session!

I am incredibly excited (and, admittedly, a little nervous) to sit down with these readers. There is a certain vulnerability in meeting a book club; they’ve spent a month living in the world you built, and they often notice details or ask questions that catch even the author off guard. I’m looking forward to hearing which characters they loved, which plot twists made them gasp, and perhaps even answering a few "why did you do that?" questions about the ending.

Why Local Support Matters

In an era of global digital releases, local support remains the lifeblood of the creative community. To this January book club: Thank you. Thank you for choosing a local voice and for giving "Behind the Stars" a home in your living rooms this month.

I’ll be sure to share an update (and maybe a few photos!) after our meeting in February. Until then, happy reading to everyone currently making their way through the stars.