I just scrolled through 600+ photos of me to select a few for my new Press Kit page. It was my first photo shoot since my high school senior pictures. Maybe I’ll print out these photos and on the back I’ll write you a personal note about how much fun we’ve had these last four years and how I know we’ll keep in touch because we are totally BFFs. Or maybe I’ll just select the goofiest photos and post them below.
Brian MacDonald of MacDonald Photography shot the 600 photos plus my new book trailer. I wonder if his finger hurt as much from snapping shots as my face hurt from smiling. We did have some fun doing it, as evidenced below,…
I’ve heard about authors saying that releasing your book to the world is like becoming a new parent – all that excitement and anxiety.
Since my book and my first child were separated by little more than one month, I believe I have a unique perspective on this and I’m prepared to make the definitive statement on the matter:
Releasing a book is nothing like having your first child. I suspect, if I would have been the one doing the pushing, sweating, and contracting for 23 hours, I would be even more adamant about this, if not offended by the comparison.
Sure, I’m concerned about how my book is perceived by the world-at-large, but what little (I’m lucky) criticism the book…
The other day I got an amazing email from Sina Li, a Clothing Design student at University of Minnesota who was born in Cambodia. She read WAIW? and enjoyed it, which thrilled me. Her sister works at a garment factory and Sina almost did before coming to the United States.
I asked her to tell her story and she did so in the comments of this post, but I thought I would share them here, too. Thanks for Sharing Sina!
My journey from Cambodia as a sweatshop worker
This is for Kelsey asking me to write on his blog. Well it started when I was about 13 years old when my life was so close to no choice but to work at a sweatshop factory in Cambodia Phnom Penh. Every body…
Tomorrow the Midwest Writers’ Workshop kicks-off in Muncie. It was there that I met my agent two years ago. (Here’s a recap of the 2007 conference.) This year I’ll be a junior member of the faculty. I don’t think they actually have junior members, but my duties are light.
Here’s my schedule:
Thursday: I’ll be lingering all day, attending sessions and eating cookies, but I’ll officially be schmoozing at
I used to travel light…besides my cultural baggage. I’d throw a pair of underwear in my backpack and hit the road. I didn’t write the book on Travelin’ Light, but I did used to write the column on it.
But now that we have a baby in tow/in car seat/in jogging stroller/in arms, the packing list has expanded exponentially. Could someone tell me why a 17-pound baby requires 500-pounds of gear?
Annie, Harper, and I are in Michigan on vacation. It’s supposed to be a beach vacation, but sweatshirt weather has dictated otherwise. It took half the morning to pack all of our stuff into the four-door car, Pontiac (don’t get me started) G6 that we bought when Harper was on her way. We bought the car knowing that we would…
Don’t forget the second step of the contest where you have to email some friends about the contest and cc me. You’re not eligible to win the iPod unless you do both steps. I’m getting a big kick out of the submissions so far. Here’s one from Matt Barhorst that about made me pee my pants laughing:
By the way, where did you get that shirt? That is the ugliest shirt I’ve ever seen. You look like you’re wearing a shirt that was destined for either the Beach Boys or Peter Brady.
So, maybe you’re dancing to Kokomo, or When It’s Time To Change (look up Peter’s rendition on Youtube)
This video is based on true experiences (even the bra lady!) at book signings and book clubs. If you have a book club, I would love to come visit it, especially if you’ll be discussing any or all of the following: strawberry pie, cheesecake, margaritas, beer, and (oh, yeah) my book. I would prefer to come in person, but if the distance is too great, maybe I can be there virtually (Skype, chat, phone). Email me: kelsey@travelin-light.com
This video discusses why the heck I’m relaunching the site 6 months after the release of my book. It also covers some of the new features, and most importantly discusses how you can win an iPod.
Plus, there’s a very special guest star — little Harper Willow Timmerman. When I watched this video, I barely paid attention to what I was saying. Instead I just stared at Harper.
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