Okay gang, I’ve got some exciting news today: Book Two is official.
Well, it’s been official for quite some time… I signed with my literary agent last year and my proposal went out to all the big publishing houses and ultimately went to auction — which means more than one house wanted it, but contracts take a while so all these months later, I can officially announce it. And I’m so excited to do that!
Cool Stuff and How to Style It picks up where Big Thrift Energy leaves off. This book will delve into styling old and weird things in your home — that collection your great aunt left you in her will, or that weird piece of art you just couldn’t pass up at a recent estate sale. Of course, because I’m me, I’ll also be sharing tips on how to find cool things and what’s perhaps even more exciting is that I will be sharing the finds of friends and how they style them in their own homes!
It’s been three years since BTE came out and I can honestly say it changed my life. It was also such a tremendous learning experience. The amount of publicity I had to learn how to do was incredible (selling myself was way outside my comfort zone but when it comes to books — you have to do a lot of that!)
There is no one to hold your hand when you write a book without an agent. You have to work your ass off, and really sell yourself if you want to sell the book. I said yes to everything — every podcast, every speaking engagement, every interview.
When I was asked to speak at the Jacksonville Home & Patio Show right after Big Thrift Energy debuted in 2022, I was terrified — and it showed! I stammered anad hemmed and hawed. But I did okay enough that I was then asked to do the Charlotte show. And then Atlanta. And then Greensboro….
Fast-forward to now, and I’m about to do the Jacksonville show again, this weekend, and it will be my 14th show. In two weeks, I’ll be headlining a home show in Oregon and I have two others in the pipeline.
I’ve been interviewed by The Economist, Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, and even got to go on NBC News on National Thrift Shop Day (we filmed live! they picked me up in a car and took me to 30 Rock! I snuck on to the set of SNL!) None of that was by accident and it was so far outside my comfort zone when I started that I’m shocked I’m comfortable doing it all now.
I’ve been very open here about my grief from the loss of my grandmother. When I pitched my first book, she had died less than a year prior. When I got the contract in an email, I walked outside, got in my car, and cried while listening to Katy Perry’s “Daisies.” Isn’t that the stupidest thing you’ve ever heard?!
There’s a line in the song that has always resonated with me: I guess you’re out of your mind til it actually happens. That’s how I felt then, and how I feel now.
I can’t believe all the things I’ll never get to tell my grandmother about this journey but I know she’d be so proud of me because I feel her every day. The fears I used to have — of public speaking, or caring what others think of me — melted away when she died. Because losing her was my biggest fear, and I made it out the other side. If I could do that, I can do anything and so I have.
This is such a cliché but it’s never too late to go after what you want. When I pitched BTE, I was 35, working as a magazine editor and selling antiques on the side, and my mom had just moved in. I was grief-stricken from the loss of my grandmother, I had no idea how I was going to support my mom, and I honestly felt terrified. I first had the idea to write Big Thrift Energy as an e-book, thinking I could make some extra money selling copies for $20 on the internet, but then I pitched it to a handful of publishing houses on a whim. Nearly every house responded, and within six months I had signed a contract.
That book sold with no agent and no publicist. I had no idea what I was doing, I got a very small advance that did not even cover the costs of my photography, and I had to pay out of pocket for my travel initially (before people started paying me to come talk!) But I had worked so hard on the book, I knew it was worth the investment.
And it was. The book has consistently made it to the Amazon bestseller list, even three years after being published. I am still talking about the book. And I am so happy to do so.
Cut to now, and I have an agent, I work with a publicist, and my second book sold at auction. Wow.
I feel like this time around, I want to really document the process with you all. I’m excited to share how the sausage is made — like some of the before and afters in my home, some of the ins and outs of writing and photo shoots… I would love to share whatever you’re interested in, really, so fire away!
And of course, if you don’t already, subscribe to this newsletter as this is where I will be the most active (and sharing all my events, my finds, and ultimately what I do with them). I’m so excited to bring you on the journey and thank you so much for your continued support.
ODDS & ENDS
My go-to bra and panty brand (I just counted and I have 10 of their bra and underwear sets) just launched their BOGO sale and it’s good. They’re offering buy-one, get-one-free on their most popular bra and bralette styles, like the truly incredible Relief bra, which is wireless and so comfortable I often sleep in mine.
I’m trying to do a better job of keeping my ShopMy page up-to-date with all the products I use and love the most.
And among those products? This superfood powder I add to my water for morning workouts. It has as much caffeine as a cup of coffee but also contains good stuff like CoQ10. It’s tasty, too.
This is so exciting! Loved your first book (I even ordered a wicker frog) and can't wait for the next.
Congrats!