Simon Says... My Book Is Out. And What a Week It's Been.
TV interviews! Book signings! Cookie cakes!
Welcome to Simon Says, a weekly newsletter from Rachel Simon about writing, not writing, and sort-of-, kind-of, I’m-putting-words-on-a-page-but-let’s-be-real-they’re-garbage writing. For current and aspiring writers, but everyone else is welcome, too.
It’s here. My book, Pickleball for All: Everything But the “Kitchen” Sink, is officially out in the world, available to buy anywhere books are sold. Even though it’s been less than a year since I started working on it, it’s hard to believe that the day has finally come, and that strangers all over the world (!) are reading my work. I am so incredibly grateful, honored, excited, and proud.
The last few days have been a thrilling whirlwind of book promo: TV interviews on shows like Inside Edition and The Morning Blend, spots on radio programs like WNYC’s All of It, a live takeover of HarperCollins’ Instagram. And of course, there was my launch event last night at Quail Ridge Books, where I had the very best time talking about my experience writing Pickleball for All and signing copies (!) for readers.
At 5 PM today, I’ll be on ABC News Live with Linsey Davis. Tune in if you can—it’s going to be a fun one.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your support. Whether you bought a book, helped spread the word, or just came along on the journey as I brought Pickleball for All into the world, I appreciate it more than I can say.
And if you happen to spot my book at Barnes & Noble or other bookstores, please take a photo and send it my way! Knowing it’s out there in stores, where people will just happen upon it and decide to buy a copy, is maybe the most exciting thing of all.
Other Work Updates:
I interviewed one of my favorite authors, Taylor Jenkins Reid, about her *excellent* new novel, Carrie Soto is Back. Read it here.
I also really enjoyed chatting with four women in high-pressure jobs about how they mentally prepare for major career moments.
On the ecomm side, I wrote about a bestselling squeegee, a stick-on desk drawer, the best purses you can buy on Amazon, and the cutest wedges.
Reminders that I’m teaching two new classes this fall, both starting in October! Sign up for my Creative Nonfiction class (via Zoom) with Gotham Writers Workshop or my in-person Freelancing class with Redbud Writers Project in Raleigh.
This Week in Pop Culture:
Kurt and I finished Ozark, and while I didn’t *love* the finale, it was way better than people had made it out to be! I’m really going to miss this show.
I started two new books: Octavia Butler’s classic Kindred and Celeste Ng’s newest novel Our Missing Hearts, out in October. Loving both so far!
I loved this New York Times interview with Katie Gregson-MacLeod, whose gorgeous song “Complex” blew up on TikTok and has been stuck in my head for days.
This tweet made me laugh:
This Week’s Gratitude Moment:
Where to even start? But signing books last night for a long line of readers will stay in my memory forever.
Until next time,
Rachel