From the kindness of strangers . . .

Back in 2011, I wrote a blog here about an author I had recently discovered - Sarah Addison Allen.  I was blown away by her writing, and became a fan and devoted follower of her work. 

As it happens, serendipity was about to come into play.  I was over the moon about being interviewed by Marlisa Mills, for Western North Carolina Magazine.  I couldn't wait to have the March, 2011 edition in my hands to read the final version when I was stopped in my tracks to see that my interview followed a wonderful interview of Ms. Allen written by Erin Campbell.  It was a very big deal to me to be invited for an interview by Marlisa, an exceptionally gracious woman, and terrific writer, who I greatly admire.  Sometimes life hands over the sweetest of gifts, and being included in the same edition of a magazine I love along with New York Times bestselling author Sarah Addison Allen was the oh so sweet icing on the cake. 

A lot of things have happened since I wrote that post.  In my life - I've published WHIMSEY: A NOVEL.

In Sarah Addison Allen's life - she has a new book coming out in February - LOST LAKE.  Her first book in three years.  Her first, to quote her from her Facebook page "post cancer book."

In addition to being a hugely talented writer, she's also a fighter who has successfully fought a battle against breast cancer.  A fight many of us have followed through her posts at FB in an amazingly honest and inimitable fashion.  The woman rocks.  She. just. rocks.

She's one of my heroes, although she has no way of knowing this.  Our only relationship is through Facebook where I'm one of her many readers and fans.  And she has MANY.  They're loyal, they love her for not only her work, but for her daily graciousness in their lives.  She's fun and funny and kind.

Jumping forward to yesterday. 

She posted a very short little something on her Facebook wall - "check out my FB friend Kaye Wilkinson Barley's WHIMSEY: A NOVEL."

This morning I work up to find my Whimsey picked up quite a few friends during the night.  People who most likely would never have discovered it without the kindness of a stranger.  Words are powerful.  We sometimes forget just how powerful. 

My thanks to the incredible Sarah Addison Allen and her friends who have decided to give WHIMSEY a chance just because of a few short words she was thoughtful enough to take the time to post at Facebook.

Life is good and today it feels pretty grand.