How one little book made a big life impact
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.
JRR Tolkien
A long-awaited milestone
Readers, I am over the moon to share that my first book became a bestseller on Kindle last week! I wish I could have recorded the ridiculous dance I did when I saw this. The Kindle edition had been part of a promotion for its second publication anniversary. When I checked its rankings Sunday night and saw it sitting at #2 in Mythology, I was floored.
The first thing I did the next morning was check its rankings. I had to rub my eyes to be sure. There she was, sitting at 1# in the Mythology genre.
It is not that I felt the book didn’t deserve it, it was more that I felt lost in the sea of Norse mythology books published by well-known authors. To say I was a little fish in a very big sea of books is an understatement.
My editor admitted that she teared up when she heard the news. Only she and I know the effort, time, and passion that went into creating the story, and I have her to thank for never allowing me to quit. It took numerous rewrites, extensive research, and the right team to bring the story to life. I can’t thank my editor, cover designer, and illustrators as well as family enough.
At the beginning of the book, you will find an illustrated map of the Nine Realms by Art of Arklin. You may notice some places have been named after Icelandic landmarks such as Vestrahorn, or Fagradalsfjall. I did this as a tribute to Iceland’s otherworldly landscapes that inspired my world-building.
When describing Jotunheim, the land of the giants, I imagined the black sand beaches of Reynisfjara, with its troll-shaped rock formations looming in the mist. For Asgard, I pictured the ridge above Skógar in summer, for nothing will ever be as beautiful to me.
The book began as a short story and soon morphed into something bigger. Publishing a book had been a lifelong dream of mine, but I had lost the craft of writing for many years.
A professor in college had encouraged me to be a writer, but I was too grief stricken from my mother’s unexpected death to care about anything.
Once I graduated, I locked it away for many years only to discover later in life it was my true calling. I wish I could find that professor now and show her the book. She would be proud.
I open up about this self discovery journey in an upcoming edition of a magazine titled Women Who Podcast. Life has been strange path, more like an overgrown thicket than a smooth trail, but I bet many people can relate to this.
If you fancy a new take on the old myths told from the viewpoint of a mercurial trickster god, the book is called Father of Monsters and it is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble!
Authors write because they want to share their stories. Becoming a bestseller is the icing on the cake for many of us, a dream that feels unattainable. What a surprise it was! When I published this book in 2022 I had no idea it would take me where it has. It brought me to Iceland, six times (so far) and where it will take me next is unbelievable…
The next chapter
That same afternoon I received an email from Midgard in Iceland asking if I would like to give a lecture on Norse Mythology at Midgard Basecamp during my upcoming visit. I had to leave the room to wipe the tears away.
Another unexpected surprise! I could not believe I was being asked to talk about the very topic I am so passionate about in the land where these tales were shaped. Also, in the very place that had changed my life, perhaps even saved me in many ways. It all began with this little book I published!
I responded with an enthusiastic yes and began working on the presentation as soon as I got home. Stories about fantastical realms woven within a mighty ash tree, gods, giants, and the many creatures who inhabited it- how would I fit it all in one hour!
The talk will take place on April 24th at Midgard BaseCamp in Hvolsvöllur. It is open to the public and all are invited! In case your travels ever take you to Iceland, I highly. recommend a stay at Base Camp along with a tour with Midgard. The accommodations are cozy, and in the heart of South Iceland. It also boasts a rooftop sauna, wonderful bar, and a restaurant which serves delicious locally sourced faire.
Midgard Adventure has the best tour guides around but I may be a bit biased. Plus they pride themselves on sustainable tourism and small group sizes and will take you to some of the lesser-known spots in the Icelandic Highlands. Just book the trip, it will be worth it!
So a bestseller, an amazing invitation, and now onto my next surprise….
Raven romance
Some of you may be wondering, what ever happened to that pair of romantic ravens you spotted?
After several attempts of photographing them on the ridge, I had lost hope I would ever find them again. However, one day when I was waiting for the ravens, an entire flock of cedar waxwings showed. Spotting these gorgeous birds is always a treat. They are much smaller than I had imagined, sizing under what a cardinal is, and make a very soft, yet distinctive cheep sound when together.
Here was a shot I got of one of them:
Unfortunately, the lighting wasn’t great (isn’t that always the case!), but I still felt lucky to have spotted them!
Yesterday I decided to go for a trail run on the trail below the raven ridge. When I reached the bridge underpass, a loud raucous croak startled me. I stopped dead in my tracks and looked up. There were the ravens, and their nest!
My first thought was, that this is the worst possible place for a nest. Yes, it is out of reach from any predators, but the bridge gets a ton of traffic that rattles the structure. Not to mention, the trail below is busy with runners, walkers, and all sorts of other foot traffic.
I ran back to my car to get my camera. When I returned I was able to grab a few shots, but momma was aware of me and expressed she was not happy with my lurking about, despite being a respectable distance away. So I left. Nature first is the golden rule of wildlife photography.
It warms my heart to witness this pair. Just a few weeks ago they were courting, then collecting nesting materials, and now here they are, waiting for their family to be born.
So the theme of the last two weeks has been surprises! Now I am wondering what tomorrow’s solar eclipse will bring!
On the way
As the saying goes, the best-laid plans. Next week I leave for Iceland to attend the Sorcery Festival, followed by a stay at Midgard and Mr. Iceland, the land of Njál’s Saga. I am hoping to squeeze a ferry ride to the Westman Icelands because I just heard the first puffin has been spotted in Iceland and I can’t wait to photograph them!
North Iceland is still receiving a lot of heavy snow, so my trip to Holmavík for the festival is to be determined. One thing I learned about traveling to Iceland is to never expect anything and always remain open to other possibilities than what you have planned.
This principle can be applied to life in general. So many. times I thought I had it all figured out before life threw me one big curveball. Some have been challenges, while others have pleasant surprises. But nothing great has ever come without taking a risk.
I can’t wait to share this next adventure with you!
I will leave you with this amazing quote by JRR Tolkien I was reminded of the other day:
The greatest adventure is what lies ahead. Today and tomorrow are yet to be said. The chances, the changes are all yours to make. The mold of your life is in your hands to break.
JRR Tolkien’s
