2020 and Beyond
While the pandemic has certainly changed our lives, I’ve been touched to see the number of book clubs keeping in close contact as members continue to read, share, and explore new titles.
If you would like to me to visit your club at a virtual meeting, please feel free to send me a note through the contact page.
September 21, 2019
It was a thrill for me to visit with my friend and fellow writer, podcaster, and multi-media woman extraordinaire n.t. arévalo as a guest on her podcast Roll Call: Guests, Experts & Storytellers. We talk about sailing, a quest for adventure, and going it alone. Listen in on Sailing Solo: Sometimes You Have to Go Alone.
August 3, 2019
Today I took a road trip to the idyllic little town of Hana, on Maui’s eastern tip. Here the Hana Book Club greeted me warmly with a breakfast buffet of local treats in a wonderful space at the Hana Tropicals gardens.
In the group were many women who have sailed, and one with solo sailing experience. “You captured it exactly!” she said of the solo sailing scenes in Left at Hiva Oa. Other readers enjoyed the story’s realistic images and vivid descriptions. “I was transfixed by your book,” said one reader.
It was such fun to talk among a group of avid readers, sailors, and one librarian! Many mahalos to the Hana Book Club for their hospitality.
April 10, 2019
March 19, 2019
Today I visited the grounds of Queen Emma’s Summer Palace on O’ahu to speak with members of the Daughters of Hawaii Book Club. It was a very engaged group, and one of the women had the most detailed marginalia I have ever seen!
While I was there I had the good fortune to meet Captain Norman Pi’ianaia, a retired Matson Captain who worked with Captain Ken over 40 years ago! As he told me later, “We somehow fetched up in the same place.” Indeed.
Many readers shared that they had never sailed before, nor had any interest in the ocean. They were surprised by what they found in Left at Hiva Oa.
“This is a book I never would have picked up. I don’t know anything about sailing. I came to love this book. I couldn’t put it down. I read it in two and a half days.”
“It was like reading poetry about the sea.”
“I started off slowly, I don’t know much about the ocean. But then I found I was hooked!”
“I was so impressed, I thought, this guy is amazing! He’s done all of these things. He’s my hero! Then, on page 201, ‘I was lonely beyond anything I imagined possible’ Wow! I didn’t expect that, but you showed how he really felt.”
“I felt like it came straight from Capt. Ken, through you.”
It was both gratifying and humbling to talk with readers who felt moved by the book. I’m grateful to the Daughters of Hawaii for providing such a wonderful forum and discussion.
January 19, 2019
My first book club via Skype! These ladies were 3,000 miles away in Denver, Colorado, but we still managed to have a great discussion. A few in the audience are interested in writing a book of their own one day. I hope what I shared was helpful. I often quote Dr. Wayne Dyer, who said, “Don’t die with your music still in you,” in this case, your story. Thanks ladies!
January 4, 2019
It was a beautiful day to speak with members of the Outrigger Canoe Club Book Club. Many readers had questions about the writing of the book and my own experience at sea. Often they assume I have sailed across the ocean, like Capt. Ken. But in reality my sailing experience is very limited. Some think I have a copy of the Gracias‘ log that I worked from, and they are surprised to find out that I don’t. In fact, I used research, my imagination, and maybe a bit of divine inspiration to come up with Capt. Ken’s story. I’m always glad that readers find it to be realistic and entertaining, or as one reader called it, “a sea-worthy sailing adventure.”
After the talk we enjoyed lunch on the lanai with a visiting seal on the adjoining beach. Mahalo to the Outrigger Canoe Club for your warm hospitality!
November 23, 2018
Book Signing at Maui Friends of the Library, Queen Ka’ahumanu Center
Holiday shoppers came in to buy the gift of great stories at this fun event with fellow authors from Maui Writers Ink, including Elaine Gallant with her action-packed novel, The 5th C: A CIA Novel and Oliver Gold with Maui Out of Body.
Mahalo to Maui Friends of the Library for hosting us!
October 12, 2018 – Lahaina Town 2nd Friday Party
A had a fun evening in Lahaina with other members of Maui Writers Ink. Often people are drawn to the nautical appearance of Left at Hiva Oa’s cover, and I have to ask, “do you have a sailing background?” It’s really exciting to find out that they do! Then we talk about where they have sailed, and where they’re going next.
Maui Writers Ink has two terrific short story collections by local authors, many who have their own novels as well. I’m pictured here with Everett Peacock and the latest from his Agent Boudreaux series.
August 30, 2018 – Off the Record
Fellow author Everett Peacock and I had a fun time visiting with Bill and Bobbie Best. Their show, Off the Record, is a conversation with the creative and community minded people of Maui; musicians, artists, writers, teachers, the movers and shakers, builders and makers, giving an insight into our island & the Arts Community of Maui. We talked about the creative process and the technical aspects of writing a book, as well as a few other silly things!
You can watch a video of the recording here.
July 27, 2018 – Helen’s Book Club
This amazing book club had great questions and insights about Left at Hiva Oa. They wondered what kinds of feedback I received from my beta readers, and how I worked out the back-and-forth timeline. They were most intrigued by how I captured Capt. Ken’s voice and personality. Many members have sailed extensively, and said the descriptions of life on-board were beautifully rendered, and accurate too! They wanted to know how much sailing I had done myself. Not as much as them, I can assure you.
They also fed me a beautiful lunch and I went home with a bunch of fresh-picked gardenias, my favorite!
June 8, 2018 – Lahaina Town 2nd Friday
I joined the crew of writers at the Maui Writer’s Ink table in Campbell Park during this 2nd Friday Event. The theme was “Garden Party,” and large, flowery hats were required attire. Many people came by to see our wide range of books, and our hats!
May 15, 2018 – Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset
I had a fun time speaking at the West Maui Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset at their evening meeting at the Royal Lahaina Resort. It’s a great group of people, and they have a fantastic view after their meeting, true to their club name! See more information about them here.
April 25, 2018 – Upcountry Ladies Book Club
I had a wonderful time with these well-read ladies, many who have sailed across oceans! They had lots of questions about the book and the writing process. I think a few of them may have some stories to tell! Their compliments and enjoyment of Left at Hiva Oa meant the world to me. 
April 13, 2018 – Lahaina Town 2nd Friday
I had a fun time with Maui Writer’s Ink at their booth on Front Street during this exciting event. Fellow writers Kathy McCartney, Nansy Phleger, and Elaine Gallant shared their work too.
January 27, 2018 – American Association of University Women Maui Chapter
I gave a talk and shared a slideshow about the making of Left at Hiva Oa, the many things I had to learn about sailing, and shared some stories about Capt. Ken. Here with my mom, AAUW member and club secretary, Jennifer Bohlin. 
November 25, 2017 – Maui Friends of the Library Book Signing Event
It was a great afternoon of meeting readers, talking about Left at Hiva Oa, and about my writing process while creating the book. Thanks to everyone who came by!
