Second Born

SOAKED is now in the world. It's 5.5 x 0.45 x 8.5 inches and 9.1 ozs. I think it's a beauty. But I'm a biased poppa. This certainly feels different the second time around. I know a little more of what to expect, where to put my energy, what to worry about, and what to let be. But I still have a lot to learn. Just like I needed to figure out how being a dad fit with who I am, I think I'm finally grasping what being an author means with this second book.

Those first-borns get all our mistakes. With DARK ROUX it was fun to act like an author. It was fun to call myself an author. I'd show up for a book signing or a festival and thought that's what being an author meant. Since dads aren't made by showing up to one baseball game or changing one diaper, I wasn't really an author yet. What I was missing was the impact of the words; how every conversation about the book, a person's experience and interpretation of the characters, was just as important as the moments in front of a word processor trying to make things happen. DARK ROUX became something that belonged to us, the writer and the reader, instead of just me. I'll still be bringing DARK ROUX where I go so it can capitalize on what I have learned as a book dad. Book events are more about the connection and not just showing up, I've realized.

And whereas DARK ROUX was my overachieving (though under-appreciated [*wink*]) foray into the writing world, SOAKED is a loud and defiant little booger. Maybe that's part of why this has been a little easier. As a second-born myself, I can identify a little more with where this book's heart is. Its ready to make some waves (and that was an apex Dad-joke about sea-level rise). I got to read from three different stories on Sunday to a lovely crowd at Captain Quackenbush's in South Austin. The audience's laughs and silent anticipation nailed home how these stories become ours. The clinking of hurricane glasses was very on the nose. SOAKED is ready to take on the world.

I'm excited to kick off roughly two months of weekly signings, conversations, and readings. I hope to see you at some of them. Check out my events section on my webpage to see where I'll be and when: www.tobyleblancauthor.com . I'd love to introduce you to both of my book babies.