Friday Musings: Below the Moon & Author Life, the Lowdown
To say I woke up on “the right side of the bed” is an understatement.
- I love Friday’s!!
- Even the jar of jam that smashed on my kitchen floor this morning didn’t dampen my mood.
- I’m smiling randomly (yes, I know I’m weird).
This has been a big week for me and I think today is the day that I am finally reflecting on it all.
Monday: My family celebrated what would have been my son Zachary’s ninth birthday. Zachary passed away just a few minutes after he was born. You might think this would be a sad day to commemorate, and in some ways it was, but more than that there was LOVE.
Click this image to read my blog post from Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day, October 15, 2019.
Tuesday: My brand new novel Below the Moon—book two in The 8th Island Trilogy was released!
Click this image to learn more about Below the Moon!
Wednesday: Can’t remember Wednesday at all lol…
Thursday: Added a 17th school to my Read-In week visits – and this time it was my kid’s school! Plus, two members of my street team attended one of my presentations and they wore their street team t-shirts! So fun!!
Friday: Who doesn’t love Friday, right?
As I work today, I’m reflecting on all the hard work and amazing experiences that have brought me here. Yesterday, in one of my presentations, I was talking about rejection letters I’ve received as an author and artist. In creative professions, rejections abound. I still remember the day I received my 50th(!!!) rejection letter. Back then I recorded my acceptances and rejections diligently. Before that 50th rejection, I would get very sad when I worked my tush off on an application only to receive a generic “No.” It stung. BUT, that sensitivity slowly wore off and by my 50th rejection, I stopped crying. I strengthened myself, and developed an attitude that says:
“You don’t think I can do it? WATCH ME!!”
I credit this attitude shift – this intentional change – with what has led to all my major accomplishments in my life. I no longer let another person/organization’s “No” be my final answer. I’ve sawed open my own doors and paved my own roads. I’ve encouraged others to join me and we’ve formed our own band of misfits out there doing cool stuff. All because WE HAVE MADE IT HAPPEN. We didn’t wait for permission.
Releasing a book is a MASSIVE UNDERTAKING. No lie, I am amazed and grateful to have crossed the finish line in publishing Below the Moon! My team and I have busted our butts for YEARS – and there are so many people to thank. I am grateful for all the people who have believed in me. It’s humbling and also heartwarming. There I go, getting all misty eyed as I write this.
My mind is reeling, I’m smiling again, and beaming with joy.
Thank you for your part in this journey. Thank you for reading this blog post right now!! I wish you an amazing Friday and an amazing life!! If you were here, I’m sure I’d hug you long and hard, and you couldn’t help smiling along with me.
I have been on a never ending book tour since I released my first book, my memoir Expecting Sunshine, and I LOVE IT!
My next stop: Salt Lake City!
Check-out these two Salt Lake City events, and please note: THEY ARE BOTH FREE!!
I am so thankful to the Salt Lake City Library and their partners for comping the fees to attend my Healing Arts Workshop and the Expecting Sunshine Documentary screening! THANK YOU!!!!
About this Event:
Creativity to Heal and Empower
With artist/author Alexis Marie Chute
Join us for a ground-breaking community art-based support workshop for people looking to begin their journey through grief. This day-long workshop includes creative writing, collage, painting, and sculpture to work aid the healing process. All adults looking to uncover a unique healing vocabulary through art are welcome.
Participants are welcomed into a judgement-free space to express and discuss their experiences of loss. The group will use creative writing to look at grief from different angles and uncover each individual’s unique healing vocabulary. The writing will be a jumping off point to create meaningful and symbolic collages. The art making will evolve to include paintbrush and paint. Finally, the creative journey will culminate with a discovery of the healing-freedom of explorative-play through clay sculpture that can be painted at home. This workshop gifts participants valued insights and keepsakes for their healing journeys.
Lunch will be provided
Art supplies generously donated through a grant from Clever Octopus. Visit them at CleverOctopus.org.
Come join us for the Salt Lake City screening of the award winning documentary, Expecting Sunshine!
6:30pm – Doors Open
7:00pm – Screening
8:00pm – Q&A with the Filmmaker
Friday, October 25, 2019
Auditorium
Salt Lake City Main Library
210 East 400 South
Salt Lake City, UT
84111
General Admission – Free
More information about the documentary can be found on the website, www.ExpectingSunshine.com
Expecting Sunshine: A Journey of Grief, Healing and Pregnancy After Loss, the award-winning documentary, is based on the best-selling memoir by author-artist-filmmaker Alexis Marie Chute. The film brings viewers along on real-life medical appointments, introduces them to other bereaved parents and medical professionals in thought-provoking interviews, right through to the delivery room where she welcomes her “rainbow baby.” By producing this film, Chute seeks to break the taboo around pregnancy loss and pregnancy after loss. The film investigates different perspectives on traumatic birth, how loss affects personal identity and faith, and the ways families change, thrive and cope through grief. Also highlighted is the decision-making process around family planning after loss and the unique stresses of subsequent pregnancies. With poignant narration about grief and the healing journey, the documentary casts fresh light on a private and isolating experience, also offering hope & encouragement.
More information about the documentary can be found on the website, www.ExpectingSunshine.com.
Below are a few more events and opportunities for you.
Enjoy!
What: Below The moon officially hits shelves October 15 and we want to celebrate with you!
When: Saturday, November 2, 2019
Location: Audrey’s Books ,10702 Jasper Ave, Edmonton, AB T5J 3J5
Details: Join us from 2-4 pm. There will be a reading from Below The Moon, followed by an Author Q&A and booksigning
This is a family friendly event so grab the kids and come on down to Audrey’s Books and show your support for literacy and our local independent bookstores!
About BELOW THE MOON:
Caught in a web of betrayal, mistaken identities, secrets, and love triangles, Ella, Tessa, and Archie must overcome their troubled pasts to ensure a future for all worlds. On this journey―armed with unearthly abilities and unexpected allies―each member of the Wellsley family will learn the power of love in the face of their greatest fears.
COMING – OCTOBER 2019
Order Below the Moon from your local bookstore
Request Below the Moon at your local library
THE MISSION OF INFOCUS PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION & AWARDS IS TO PROMOTE & EXHIBIT INNOVATIVE, THOUGHTFUL AND PROVOCATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY CREATED BY CANADIAN CONTEMPORARY IMAGE-MAKERS.
INFOCUS 2020 CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS IS NOW OPEN!
Regular Deadline: OCTOBER 21, 2019
Extended Deadline: NOVEMBER 6, 2019
15 REASONS CANADIAN PHOTOGRAPHERS SHOULD ENTER INFOCUS PHOTO EXHIBIT 2020
- Build your photography CV
- Exhibit your work at the Renaissance Edmonton International Airport Hotel
- Be in the running for the People’s Choice Award
- Launch your photo career
- Have your work seen by distinguished Canadian curator, Alexis Marie Chute
- Network with other professionals
- Volunteer and get experience mounting an exhibition.
- Attend the opening reception & curator talk
- Participate in the portfolio reviews with leaders in the field
- Sell your work!
Open 24/7 at The Renaissance Edmonton Airport Hotel
“Head Space” launched with an awesome opening party and is now officially launched for all viewers.
The all-female exhibit celebrates portraiture in many mediums, including painting, illustration, photography, and sculpture. Many world-views and cultures are represented in the show.
Head out to the Renaissance Hotel to see the exhibit and stay for their amazing food.
What: International artists show their portrait paintings, drawings, photographs, and mixed media art in this group exhibition curated by Alexis Marie Chute.
Exhibition Dates: October & November, 2019
Exhibition Location: Renaissance Edmonton Airport Hotel, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Address: 4236-36 Street East, Edmonton International Airport
