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Tag: #booklaunch

Maiden Voyage of Queen Mary; 80th Anniversary

8Q Maiden Voyage (1)

Pictured Above is Autumn Brooke & Gabriel Alvarez (writer and illustrator of the History Comes Alive Series and Brides Aweigh), at the Media Event for the 80th Anniversary of the Maiden Voyage for the RMS Queen Mary!

Privileged to meet many distinguished guests.  Those included in the photo collage above would be Commodore Everette Hoard, June Allen (war bride), and her grandson Chris Boots.  Next is the extremely charming Ralph Rushton (bell boy, 1948).  My in depth conversation with Randolph Churchill, Great Grandson of Sir Winston Churchill follows.  Following is the PR director and his son, with the ever so beautiful war bride, waiting gracefully for her daughter.  Two serving Bell Boys for the opening of the gallery opening, of Sir Winston Churchill’s paintings took time to pose, and ‘The Polka Dot Shoes’ (Deservedly worth a mention).

Thank You to Everyone that sacrificed a few moments of their time,

I am truly grateful & honored.

The past four days was a year in the making for myself and business partner/best friend.  At the beginning of 2015, I made a decision to write a historical literary fiction novel that highlighted the Queen Mary’s service in WWII but specifically in relation to the War Brides and their incredible journey.  I was hopeful to share their story in such a way that held commercial appeal so that I could reach a broad and varied audience.  I have been fortunate to have some screen writer’s interest so I hope that I achieved my goal.   History has always been a love of mine, but once I had children it became a true passion.  I began to realize that the past, our history, fades over time and although some may be recorded within the history books, it often becomes lost.  I decided that I needed to teach my boys as much as I could about past events that created or changed our World.  When it is possible to interact with that history, the experience is that much deeper, bringing the history to life.

Almost exactly one year ago today, I was honored to meet a part of living history!  When researching my novel, I reached out to the Queen Mary and was given many resources, but the best was being put in contact with a War Bride, by the name of June Allen.  We shared many conversations but after a few months I was able to meet with her personally aboard the ship.  The more I read, learning about the War Brides and GI’s traveling when she was in-service as the Grey Ghost, the easier it was to imagine how they may have walked the corridors, but awe inspiring to know I was literally sitting with June where she had sat 70 years before.  What a responsibility I was undertaking by not just trying to Keep History Alive, but in the realization I was sharing living history.  Writing their thoughts as they relived what they felt seeing rooms where they had slept as they crossed international waters. 

This week my illustrator, Gabriel and I were presented with an opportunity to attend several Media Only events aboard the Queen Mary to celebrate her Maiden Voyage 80 years ago.  There were many honored guests in attendance, more words to preserve so that we may keep the Memories Alive.  I was star struck, blessed, and thankful creating a feeling of euphoria that glowed over the few days of celebration.  I am sure that I often appeared nervous and scattered to most and if not, I am proud of my composure.  How could one not feel anxious when standing in front of Randolph Churchill as he talked about his great-grandfather, Sir Winston Churchill’s paintings?  Or having the opportunity to dance with Ralph Rushton, a bell boy to 1st Class Waiter serving in 1948. 

It was an incredible week and we will never forget it.  I treasure the memories that were shared with me I we created new memories aboard the extraordinary Queen Mary for future generations.

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Live in the Moment

liveinmoment

As most of you know, I am currently waiting……  waiting to be read, to be heard, to be accepted.  Submitting the book for publication or even agent representation is a waiting game, there is no way around it.  For every positive feedback, there is multiple rejections, presenting opportunity for self doubt and reflection.  It is easy to get caught up in missing life moments because I am focused on continually pushing to soar ahead.  What I am coming to realize is that maybe I am not always as focused as I am dwelling, twiddling my thumbs as I wait.  Resonant of waiting for the toast to pop,  or the pot to boil.

I did my part in sending my query and manuscript to available agents and publishing houses, but it doesn’t end there.  I have to keep talking, keep writing, and making connections because maybe my agent wasn’t on my email list.  Maybe I have to take that risk to put myself out there and make them take notice.

This is my approach to most of the rest of my life, why should it be any different when it comes to my writing?  If I am shy, or unsure of myself, then I lack the confidence to ever promote myself.  I need to learn to take a breath, let it go, and live in the moment.  I have been blessed with many opportunities and supportive friends to encourage me in this journey and I need to take back control.

I can’t focus on the rejection of yesterday, or the possibility of the rejection tomorrow but focus in the positive of Today.  The Sun is shining, the boys are happy, healthy, and fed, so it is a great day to add a few twists and turns to my path.  Always moving forward but maybe reaching out and making a few new contacts.  Try to think outside of the box, be unconventional.

This girl is hungry so I am going to shake the tree and stop waiting for the nuts to just fall.  Time to Knock on Doors, or Scream from the Mountain Tops.  If you know a publisher or agent, let me know……  if you want to scream with me, please feel free to Share any and all you find on the Blog Page or my Facebook Page @autumnbrookeonline.  Lets Make Some Noise!

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Dream to Reality

dreams-become-reality-when-intentions-become-actions

Writing a novel has been the biggest accomplishment of my life, besides being the mother of four children.  I would not even mention my children in this post, but I know that if I do not that there will be numerous messages asking how do I not feel fulfilled as a mother or not see that as my life’s biggest accomplishment?  Honestly, being a mother isn’t enough for me and I don’t think that it has to be.  I loved when they were small and my days were so busy from that age old saying, “From Son Up to Son Down.”  Now they are older, they don’t need me in the same manner and that is a good thing.  I have raised strong, independent sons and they will soon move away to be strong, independent men with families of their own.  What of their mother then?  I fear the empty nest syndrome and I do not want to wonder why I failed to live up to my potential as I have always encouraged of my children, so I sat down and committed myself to starting and completing my first novel, Brides Aweigh. 

I have other blog posts where I referenced the book as I was writing it and about two weeks ago, I finished the story.  A historical fiction novel, a genre my mother always told me to write because of my love for history and reference work.  I did enjoy the process, some days more than others.  I am now in the final editing stages and search for publication. 

As would be expected I have a desire to be successful but not only for myself and my children, but because I want the story to be told.  I write because I hope that others can benefit from my words.  In this case I want the rich and fascinating story of the stately Queen Mary to be shared.  I want the world to recognize the incredibly brave journey the British WWII brides made in being reunited with their GI husbands.  Our world would not be as we know it today without these events of the past. 

Yesterday I made an author Facebook page to promote and support all of my writing.  I would appreciate all Like, Follows, and Shares.  https://www.facebook.com/autumnbrookeonline

If you have a dream, Don’t Give Up, Don’t Settle.  It is never too late to fulfill your destiny.  I know the reality of the publishing world and nothing may come of my novel, but at least I reached my first goal.  Now I have a second and I have faith in my dedication and persistence to accomplish all that I put my mind to.  Thank you for all the support my few followers have given me, in bringing my dream to a reality!

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Promoting and Marketing

I can only hope that maybe you have missed me but I haven’t been far, this is a picture of us (my illustrator, Gabriel and I) with Aisha, a wonderful marketing director at a strategy meeting.  Three minds are better than one as we came up with ideas for promoting and energizing each other for the hard work ahead.  I have to say it was productive as we have two dates and locations in the works for the book launch/signing and meet the author events.  Also hope to announce a few brick and mortar locations that you will be able to buy the book in the near future.  Thank you again for following and although I haven’t posted I have been writing, as always, words from my heart, mind, and soul!!

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