My Castle Heart Publications

My birthday (the big 4-0!) has added an extra patina of sentimentality and reflection to this holiday.

In honor of this milestone—punctuated by finally unlocking the “author” achievement—I’ve assembled my own 12 days of Christmas* Thankfulness.

Day 1: Cathy Taylor
Day 2: Sue LaGow
Day 3: Ryan Hylland
Day 4: Jackie Phillips
Day 5: Szaba and Von
Day 6: Shanon Lyon
Day 7: Kerry Colburn
Day 8: Debbie Reber
Day 9: Peter Orullian
Day 10: Christa Charter
Day 11: Steam Crow
Day 12: 1986 State Fair Judging Panel

These people dropped the breadcrumbs that led me straight to this publishing adventure. Thank you, all, for your part in this Hero’s Journey.

* Contrary to popular belief, it’s not the 12 days before Christmas. Per the Oxford English Dictionary, it’s the 12 days leading up to the Epiphany (January 6) “observed as a time of merrymaking.”

Shanon Lyon

Without this lady, I’d still be writing for “the man” in an office cubicle. We worked together at Xbox and Cranium, but well beyond colleagues, we’re moms-in-training together and dearest friends.

When she had the courage to venture off on her own to pursue her own writing business and ultimately her own (award-winning!) gaming company, she might as well have waved a big sign that said:

“Angela, check this out! There can be another way!”

I followed that sign, and I haven’t looked back since.

Shanon also served as an editor and beta reader for The Denim Jungle, helping me guide my first book from concept to creation.

Thank you, Shanon, for all this and way too much more to detail here, friend.

 

I look forward to seeing where the journey goes from here and all the amazing people I’ll have the pleasure to encounter in the next 40 years…

 

Banner photo inspired by Sarah Witherby’s 12 Days, Flickr Creative Commons.