Waves of Gratitude

Since Confessions of a Do-Gooder Gone Bad was published almost a month ago, I have been hanging ten on the surfboard of happiness, riding wave after wave of exhilaration, which is pretty good for a California girl who’s never actually surfed.

But, aside from the relief and pride I feel to finally see my work in print with a front cover, back cover and spine with my name on it, I mostly feel overwhelmed with appreciation for the family, friends and strangers who have embraced me, congratulated me, laughed with me and made the last thirty days one of the most wonderful, magical and exciting months of my life.

In completely random order, I want to express my gratitude to the following:

1. Everyone who attended the Meet the Authors event at Barnes & Noble in Pittsburgh, and the Mill Race and Next Chapter Bookstore events in Northville, Michigan. Thank you for buying my book hot off the press and making me realize that maybe, just maybe, I’m a real author.
2. To the partners and employees of the public accounting firm of Herbein + Company, my longtime  employer, who celebrated the publication of my book with cake and good wishes in Pittsburgh and Reading, Pennsylvania.
3. For the woman who wanted me to know that she bought my book because her parents made her watch The Lawrence Welk Show, too.
4. For my wonderful friends and family who sent me text messages as they read my book and for using terms like LOL, Cracking Up, Thoroughly Enjoying It, and This Is What You Were Meant To Do.
5. To my phenomenal girlfriends in Georgia and New Jersey who are so excited that they are enthusiastically contacting book stores and book festivals on my behalf.
6. To everyone who took the time to write such complimentary Amazon reviews and for humbling me with every single star.
7. To everyone who listens to my readings and laughs at the punchlines.
8. To Kim Dingle, for allowing her extraordinary painting of an angel with a black eye and husky legs to grace the cover of my book.
9. To Billie, Jeana and Suzi at Oak Tree Press for their professionalism, support and faith in my “confessions.”
10. To Mum, who upon reading the back cover of my book, immediately called to tell me that she didn’t think I have a big bottom.

To all of you and many more who keep proving that I am not shooting these bitchin curls alone, I offer my sincere thanks and gratitude.

Cowabunga!

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Please visit my website at http://annkhowley.com/#about-ann