One year ago today, Ordinary Devotion published. The response has been so lovely, so positive and supportive—honestly, I hadn’t truly appreciated my local literary community in all its glory until this experience. I’ve had my share of moments of envy, for sure—why can’t I write a book that thousands are reading and talking about, with a “Reese’s Book Club pick” sticker plastered on the front?

But those moments are fleeting, I promise. I don’t regret my strategy of focusing on local bookstores and media, because it felt manageable and practical—and I was able to feel and experience the results directly.

I’d like to acknowledge the people, places, and publications that hosted events, stocked Ordinary Devotion, reviewed it, or interviewed me in support of my little book:

Binnacle Books, Beacon, NY

Blue Heron Books, High Falls, NY

The Common Good, Ellenville, NY

Gallery 40, Poughkeepsie, NY

Howland Library, Beacon, NY

Oblong Books, Rhinebeck, NY

Split Rock Books, Cold Spring, NY

Stanza Books, Beacon, NY

All of the book clubs that read my book—and especially the ones that invited me to talk (and eat and drink!) with them!

Blue Stone Press

Chronogram

Hayden’s Ferry Review

Kirkus reviews

Slippery Elm literary journal

Beaconites! podcast

Write More, Be Less Careful (Nancy Reddy’s Substack)

Oldster (Sari Botton’s Substack)

Also—I have about 8 copies of Ordinary Devotion left here. If you’d like one, let me know and I’ll mail you a signed copy for 20 bucks (including shipping!). After all, the holidays are coming, and what could be a better gift than a novel about religious extremism and academic ennui??

Seriously, every one of you,

THANK YOU!