Yesterday was the party to celebrate my husband’s forthcoming retirement. I have always known how important his job was to him, how dedicated he is to the country he loves and the safety of those who serve. Listening to the base captain talk about Dave’s many achievements, hearing the people presently working for him, those he’s worked for and the many he’s worked with, stand up to speak about how he not only helped their career but how he also effected their lives, was very special. A career spanning 45 years with so many successes and so many people who’ll miss his knowledge, his guidance and his passion is a legacy to be proud of. I am glad to say, his thanking me for my unfailing support almost made me cry. I am so proud of having shared this journey with my husband.

Yesterday, at the party to celebrate my husband’s forthcoming retirement, I met a number of people. I was happy to hear from those who having heard of my books, had purchased them. It was exciting to hear they were enjoying them. Since most of the people I met are engineers, most are reading or have read the Sister World books. I did inform them that the next book will be coming out soon. What was most rewarding was hearing from those who have always had a desire to write. Being told my writing, my attitude of never giving up on a dream, was inspiring. Having a positive effect on another’s life is more rewarding than the number of books sold. Of course I still want to sell more books.

I’m very proud to say my story “Ghosts” is being published in the ARIA 2023 Anthology “In a Dark Time.”

It’s not in the horror genre (despite the name) and is written in a style I’ve seldom used.

I also received news that my poem “Paper Airplane” is being published in Rhode Island Bards Review, 2023.

It’s quite an honor to have my writing published alongside so many wonderful authors.

You can purchase the books when they’re published via Amazon. The Anthology, can be purchased directly through me at one of the fairs I’m attending. Of course you can always contact me via my website.

I just got my first review. I’m thanking my beta reader for their time, their critique and the following review.

” Back To Terah is a gripping conclusion to a story of perseverance, of strength, and of growing up with hope despite all odds. [Zannelli] continues to provide us with a narrative as packed with whole-hearted humanity as it is with science. ”

That is the title and theme of this year’s ARIA anthology. Submitted short stories and poems are judged blind. I’m very happy and excited to say my story “Ghosts” has been selected. I’ll post you when the book is available for purchase.

As a member of the Friends of the Exeter Library, I am once again helping to organize the annual Fall Festival. This year it will be held on September 23rd, from 10:00-3:00 rain or shine at the Yawgoo Valley Ski Area. There will be vendors selling their crafts, authors selling and signing their original works, food, carnival games and entertainment for both young and old. I’ll be posting more information as the time draws near.

It’s good and bad. The good news is the lump on my pancreas is a cyst. The bad news is I’m going to have an MRI every two years to keep an eye on it. The good news about its problematic functioning is it’s most like heredity and normal for me. At least it explains why for as far back as I remember, I get sick after I eat. The bad news is I have to be very careful about how much fat and sugar I eat. Also, vegetables, though good for me, are a big reason why I get indigestion. I love ice cream, a good glass of wine and chocolate. I don’t mind eating less vegetables, I never liked them anyway, but I have to eat the right foods to stay healthy so I’ll just have to work that out. I gave up wine. I even gave up cookies but ice cream, now that hurts, smaller and smaller amounts will have to do. I weight 103 now and have no intention of losing any more weight. Then there’s the tumor on my back. The good news is it’s not sitting on my spine and isn’t a factor in back pain and walking. We’ll continue monitoring it. The bad news is that means even more MRI’s. You can comment to me if you’d like to know what they’re like. What I will tell you is I hate them. I’m going to stop complaining now. I was able to run three miles Saturday. I have vacations planned and now, unless something drastically changes, I’ll be able to enjoy them. Sister World, Back to Terah has been sent to my beta readers, the map is in process and i have a lot of reasons to smile, I hope you do too.

Going to see the neurosurgeon today. I hate driving to Providence especially alone, but what can you do. I did get a call back about my other issue and it’s a cyst so I’m supposed to do MRI’s to keep watching it. Have I said I hate MRI’s. Sucked into a machine where the top is about five inches away from your head which is held in place by a basket very much reminding me of Silence of the lambs, though it really isn’t that bad. First you go through all the tests, sounds like someone’s hammering all around you, then they redo them with contrast. Last time, last Monday, I actually needed a break. While the tests were being run, I said all the prayers I knew, recited the Desiderata and counted to 1000, more times than I can remember. Of course I also wrote a best selling Pulitzer prize novel but I can’t remember it either. I’m tired. Deep down inside I’m just plain tired. I choose to wait and watch a tumor only once, for this. I’m pretty sure that was a mistake. I was afraid of not being able to walk, but the odds are worse now.

I sent a copy of the completed manuscript of Sister World 3, to my beta readers. I have a map being made and a question for those reading this post.

I had originally intended to call the book Sister World, Back to Terah. Now I’m thinking of calling it: Sister World, Terah

Let me know which one you thinks works best.