It's hard to believe, but very soon, I'll be celebrating the release of Rhodelia, my latest book baby. The official release date is October 1st, but there are SO MANY exciting things coming! For one, I'm getting ready to launch a super fun giveaway, so make sure you're subscribed to my blog (amybellamyauthor.com) and following … Continue reading Book Launch Coming Soon
Tag: reading
Educator by Day, Novelist by Night
My article, "Educator by Day, Novelist by Night" recently appeared in the summer 2026 edition of The Kentucky Thesis, the official newsletter of KCTE (Kentucky Council for Teachers of English). I was pretty excited to see this article come together. It gave me a chance to reflect on the balancing act of writing and publishing … Continue reading Educator by Day, Novelist by Night
Solo Writing Retreat: Making the Most of the Time
Writing can be such a lonely endeavor. I remember feeling isolated when working on my first novel because a.) no one else knows what I’m thinking,b.) no one besides me knows who these characters are, and c.) no one can see how the plot will unfold. I felt like I was annoying my friends who … Continue reading Solo Writing Retreat: Making the Most of the Time
Indie Bookstore Crawl
We just returned from a relaxing (and much needed) family vacation in Grand Haven, Michigan. We visited Grand Haven last year and loved the area so much that we decided to head back again as soon as school was out. Grand Haven is a beautiful area with gorgeous river and lake views. Their downtown area … Continue reading Indie Bookstore Crawl
Discovering Vintage Books: Shakespeare Edition
I have collected quite a few vintage books over the years, but this little pamphlet was the first. I found it at a consignment shop out in the country over 25 years ago, when I was a broke college student. I had recently moved and spent a lot of time visiting garage sales and consignment … Continue reading Discovering Vintage Books: Shakespeare Edition
Maximize Your Reading: The Art of Book Pairing
I don’t have as much time to read as I would like. Then again, who does? I will never be one of those people who posts a perfectly filtered photo with my smiling face next to the stack of 150+ books I managed to finish in one year, but that’s okay! I’ve come to accept … Continue reading Maximize Your Reading: The Art of Book Pairing
The Trouble with Historical Fiction
I love reading historical fiction. Getting lost in the world of a great story inspired by true events is the ultimate escape for me. I’ve always admired authors who are able to describe a world from long ago so clearly that I can put myself right there in the midst of the action. Through the … Continue reading The Trouble with Historical Fiction
The Mystery of The Blue Chair
It all started with a book called The Blue Chair. It was an ordinary looking book, just a simple hardback with a light blue cover and a white diamond pattern in the background. I didn’t even notice it at first among tables of dishes, dusty floral arrangements, and an old brown recliner leaning haphazardly to … Continue reading The Mystery of The Blue Chair
Book Club 101
Please note, this post contains affiliate links to recommended books. My First Experience with a Book Club Back in 2012, I was invited to attend a local book club meeting to talk about my book, Kentucky Family. I was terrified. The book, a collection of family stories and memories, represented my first tentative steps into … Continue reading Book Club 101








