The New Era -- Read Ahead for a Free Copy of Fifty Cents for a Dr Pepper on Audible!

It's official! Fifty Cents for a Dr Pepper is available on Audible! The eBook became available two weeks ago, and now audio, then the paperback will be out soon...I'll keep everyone posted. 

I have had many inspirations along this journey. My mom, Marsha, my students, and many mentors and role models. We lost one of those last week with the passing of Dolly Parton. She inspired me with how she re-invented herself along her journey. Not just sticking with the same country music hat. She donned many during her career...early days of singing with Porter Wagoner, becoming a prolific songwriter, spent the 70s and 80s doing duets with Kenny Rogers (and others), but she shifted during that era. She branched out, acted in films, and reached a whole new audience. Whitney Houston sang one of her best, lifting it to a stratosphere no one could have imagined. But Dolly didn't stop there. She tried new genres, embracing pop, and more recently some good ol' rock n roll. 

Then she became a philanthropist and admitted she was "addicted to the feeling of giving." What a testimony that is to staying true to her roots. If only more public figures mirrored her compassion and giving nature. She wanted her donations to mean something, so she developed Imagination Library. Despite so many politicians lobbying to stop supporting it, she was adamant about keeping books available to kids. Shame on every politician who voted against giving kids books. I know some of them, and I'm embarrassed by their decision. 

I want to be more like Dolly. She wanted her philanthropy to be both impactful and sustainable. And no matter what, she was kind, inclusive, respectful, and respectable. 

So if you want to listen to Fifty Cents for a Dr Pepper on Audible, private message me at barribum@gmail.com for a free Promo Code! I'm learning the program, and I want to get my book in the hands (ears?) of friends, fans, and everyone in between. 

I look forward to garnering new fans in a new format!

Writing as a Compulsion AND Updates on Re-releases

Writing is a compulsion. 

It is not my full-time profession, though that is a goal. It is definitely not a hobby because there are days I must write. Some mornings, I need to write. Other times, I choose to write.

I am at a stage in my education career that allows me to write more, and the most exciting transition is being given the opportunity to re-release my four novels in paperback (Fifty Cents), in eBook (all of them!!), and on audio/Audible (Fifty Cents, Dregs, and Slipping...maybe 8 Days eventually). And I am on the cusp of finally releasing my short story compilation The Voices. Because it feels like a new start, I am hoping to host a Book Signing/Re-release party. I'll keep you posted!

For those of you who have read my books -- THANK YOU! It is hard to know who reads what authors, and I have not always been one to push my friends to read my books. Maybe to a fault. This past week, I mentioned something about my latest book coming out in paperback to people I have worked with all year. One of the professors turned to me and said, "What did you just say?" I shared how Fifty Cents, my first hardback, got robbed by COVID, that I couldn't do book signings, author events, conferences, etc. Her eyes had gotten big, and she said, "Barri, I had no idea you were an author. I knew you published, but I assumed it was educational articles and such. I want your books!" It started a fun conversation with the group in the room, and I realized the author in me was hungry for reader interaction. 

So news will follow about events, signings, etc. I hope you'll come, even if you have the books, don't want the books, or need to be convinced. It will give me a reason to read a little from them! 

Stay tuned for information on book events!

Back At It!

 I have been sharing updates about my books and my author life on my Facebook Author page, though not very regularly. But I have finally gotten a new website, my books are being re-released, and I am making time to write and work on new projects. So I plan to get back at blogging and promoting my books, sharing my projects, and being available to do speaking engagements again. 

So I hope you will join me on this quest as Fifty Cents for a Dr Pepper comes out in paperback, eBook, AND on Audible as an audio book. It's been a goal, and it's almost here! The eBook will be available Aug. 17th on Amazon or through my website, the audio book will be on Audible sometime in August (I will keep you updated!), and the paperback is in the proof stage. Fingers crossed it will be released late summer or early this fall. 

Dregs is in early stages to be an eBook, then it will be re-released in paperback, and the audio book will be a Fall project. Slipping will be next! And finally, I hope to have 8 Days back in paperback and available as an eBook. 

My motto in life has always been to dare to dream, and I've tried to live by that mantra. Being an adult doesn't mean we have to be serious all the time. Remembering to play and enjoy life's simpler pleasures is the key to staying young and making your dreams come true. 

You have to grow older, you don't have to grow up. 

While many of you have heard me say that on occasion, I think I'm embracing it more now that I'm in my 60s. Being a teacher, a teacher educator, a writer, and an advocate of digital literacy inspires me to evolve and explore new things. But it has also reminded me to enjoy the simple things. The sunrise, a sunset, a glass of wine on the patio, kissing the nose of my Boston chihuahua every chance I get, and staying connected to those who have been part of my journey. One of my mom's YaYas passed away last week, and I am so grateful we had gone to Dallas to see her this past February. It matters to be present, if you can. To give back, if you can. And to pay it forward, if you can. 

It's what we do in life that will be remembered. Inez was an amazing human being, and I hope I can be just an nth of the person she was.