The virtual book tour is officially underway on Instagram, and to say I am overwhelmed by the response to After Light would be a massive understatement.
When you release a novel into the world... especially one that deals so closely with the delicate landscapes of grief, presence, and letting go, there is always a quiet nervousness. You wonder if the emotions you felt while typing will translate to the reader on the other side of the page.
Well, the first reviews are in, and it seems my readers have officially re-crowned me with a nickname I wear with a great amount of pride: The Queen of Tears.
It turns out that After Light is causing a few red eyes and empty tissue boxes across the book community, and I couldn't be more grateful.
💬 What the Reviewers Are Saying
Here is a little glimpse into some of the incredible, five-star feedback that has absolutely made my week:
"I didn't think I could cry anymore than I did reading Reasonable Lies, but this one got to me after the first couple of pages... Devastatingly sad but a truly beautiful story, definitely my favourite so far (Sorry, Reasonable Lies!)." ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"I was adamant I wasn't going to cry, but this book, those sentences. The Queen of Tears has done it again! It's not often I have to stop to take a picture of a sentence that I want to remember because of how it made me feel, but I did with this book... It has given me a new perspective on life, grief, and as a photographer too." ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"It’s heartwarming yet heartbreaking all at the same time! Traci just has a way with words and handles the topic so well... Dare I say this might be in the running for my favourite of Traci’s works (although picking a favourite is impossible because I love all ten of them!)." ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
💡 Finding the Light Behind the Lens
One of the most profound things about these early reviews is seeing how deeply the message of the book is resonating. Readers are quoting lines back to me that were so close to my heart while writing, like:
"Grief needs its own space. But don’t let it become your only residence."
Hearing from a reader and fellow photographer that the book gave them "permission to not always be trapped in grief and loss, but to find the light" is the greatest reward I could ever ask for as an author. That is exactly why Maya and Max's journey had to be told. It’s about the fact that even when the light is fading, there is still something beautiful worth seeing.
To everyone who is sharing their thoughts on the tour this week, tagging me in their stories, and shedding a few tears with Maya and Max... thank you from the bottom of my heart.
The tour continues all week over on Instagram (#Afterlight), so do keep an eye out for more updates.
If you're ready for an emotional, character-driven journey that might just alter your perspective on the present moment, you can grab your copy of After Light right now on Amazon > https://mybook.to/afterlight
Just remember to pack the tissues!
