Kaira Rouda | Kaira Rouda

7 08, 2011

Real You: Expecting the unexpected

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:09:01+00:00August 7, 2011|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: Expecting the unexpected

One of the lessons I've learned during the three-plus months I've spent promoting HERE, HOME, HOPE is that you can never predict book events. Sometimes there is a great crowd, other times, it's crickets. Just me, a stack of my books and my trusty signing pen. Those events tend to feel the longest, but looking back, I may have made the best connections. I know I had the most laughs. And ultimately, I hope I've made friends for life. The smaller the crowd, the deeper the potential for connection. Yes, this is the bright side speaking but it's true. As I wrote in Real You Incorporated, you always learn more from the hurdles, once you jump them. In Louisville, at the Anchorage Barnes & Noble, my signing was at 5:30 p.m. When I arrived, posters adorned the doors and walls promoting an event that night, but not mine. [...]

12 07, 2011

Real You: Chronicles of the travelling Wedding Plant

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:09:15+00:00July 12, 2011|book tour, Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: Chronicles of the travelling Wedding Plant

An added benefit of my recent almost two-week long Here, Home, Hope Book Tour was a stop back "home", in Columbus, Ohio. During a book signing at Loot, a great shop in happening Short North retail and cultural district, I was reunited with my Wedding Plant. One of my best friends, Kathy, had been watching over my precious spider plant for the two years since we'd moved to California. As she wiped a tear and handed over the 22-year-old spider plant, which was flourishing under her care, she said, "It's the last piece of you I have here. I'm really attached to her." (Kathy is on the right with my other friend Molly.) It's easy to grow attached the The Wedding Plant, as countless folks have during the book tour. Here is its story: The wedding plant originated as a tiny spider plant that was part [...]

15 06, 2011

Real You: A post about Huffington Post

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:09:47+00:00June 15, 2011|authors, Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: A post about Huffington Post

I don't know about you, but when I have the opportunity to meet someone who is a mentor-from-afar (aka hero) and she turns out to be in person even more wonderful than you imagined, it's powerful. I had that opportunity yesterday when I listened to Arianna Huffington tell her story. She made an appearance at a brown bag luncheon to benefit the Venice Family Clinic. To get things started, an amazing woman came forward and told her story about how the clinic had been there for her family when they lost everything due to a child's illness. Her story brought the crowd to tears, including Huffington who onsite announced to the crowd she'd decided to feature the woman's story of reinvention on a new section of the HuffPost called Breakover. That was cool. Spontaneous. Creative. Loving. After making that announcement, Huffington - who [...]

4 06, 2011

Real You: Book Parties!

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:06:02+00:00June 4, 2011|Debba Haupert, girlfriendology, girlfriends, Here Home Hope, Kaira Rouda|Comments Off on Real You: Book Parties!

Don't you just love a party? I do. And I have had a blast this past month at launch parties for HERE, HOME, HOPE at friends' homes and at amazing small businesses across the country. If you're interested in hosting a party - and having me there - please let me know! We have a Book Party Kit and more to help make your event a fun, memorable summer soiree! Please contact me - kaira AT kairarouda.com for more information or send me a message on Facebook or Twitter. Coming up this month are stops in Dallas (June 8 and 9), Los Angeles (June 10-13), Scottsdale (June 14 and 15) - followed closely by Chicago, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Louisville, Nashville, Jacksonville, Orlando, and then a huge swing through the Northeast: Portland, Boston, Cape Cod, Nantucket and more. I would love to join you, your friends, your book [...]

19 05, 2011

Real You: Let’s talk Turkey

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:09:12+00:00May 19, 2011|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: Let’s talk Turkey

I'm just about two weeks into my whirlwind Book Tour for HERE, HOME, HOPE so I thought it would be a great time to blog about the exciting adventures on the road. So far, stops have included: Malibu, West Hollywood, Capitola, Piedmont, Sacramento - and tonight, San Francisco. Here's what I've learned so far: 1. You can never guage how many people will show up at a book tour stop, nor can you tell if those who show up will buy the book. BUT, you will meet fun, new friends. 2. Turkeys are wild in Sacramento. Yes, in the neighborhoods, gobbling and the like. And they're huge. And they scare me. 3. Bill The Oyster Man from Santa Cruz has a huge heart and more stories about oyster and catfish farming than anyone on the planet. True. 4. It doesn't matter how many announcements the [...]

10 05, 2011

Real You: Heading to Hollywood Tonight

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:09:27+00:00May 10, 2011|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: Heading to Hollywood Tonight

Really, I am. Tonight I'm doing a signing and reading of HERE, HOME, HOPE in Larchmont Village - very close to Hollywood. Which got me thinking about the town where dreams are made...which then got me thinking about dreams coming true. All those years ago, when I dreamed of seeing a novel of mine on a bookstore shelf, I never dreamed that I'd be in Hollywood for a book signing! I know, I'm showing my Midwestern sensibilities here, but pinch me, please! So if you cannot make it to Chevalier's Books tonight, imagine me, with a huge grin, soaking it all in. These are those moments when I thank God for all my blessings. And I thank you for supporting me. And if your dreams still haven't yet come true, don't give up. Your pinchable moment is on the horizon. Keep believing!

6 05, 2011

Real You: A Mother’s Day

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:09:37+00:00May 6, 2011|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: A Mother’s Day

This week has been a whirlwind of activity. It was the week of the launch of my dream, my first novel, HERE, HOME, HOPE. The best part of the week has been the support of friends like you, online and off, who have talked, blogged, purchased, attended readings and supported me. Amazing. I'm still pinching myself. But that's not all. My editor asked a while back if I had written a short story ~ and I had one, but I hadn't shared it. The story is about the different stages of motherhood - told from the point of view of three mothers who each experience the same, life-altering event. It's the story of their reactions, and by reflection, the love each of them has for her son. That love, the love of a mother and a son, is at the heart of [...]

2 05, 2011

Real You: Celebration

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:09:50+00:00May 2, 2011|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: Celebration

As I watch the news tonight of Osama Bin Laden's demise, I'm struck by the power of this historic moment. It's almost if tonight we won a war. It's been such a long time since we've all come together to celebrate. As Americans. United. It's awe inspiring, watching it all unfold. I'm proud of our country, of our guts and perserverance. Of the bravery of our armed forces, and the heroes of 9/11. It seems so trivial, at this moment, to be celebrating my debut novel's launch. But I am. It's a warm and special feeling and now that feeling is joining in the spirit of positive thoughts and emotions filling our country tonight. USA. USA.

28 04, 2011

Real You: Resilience

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:09:57+00:00April 28, 2011|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: Resilience

The most important aspect of the writing life, to me, is resilience. You know it, if you’re a writer. Resilience isn’t a trait that is taught, it’s learned. It’s the inner drive that allows us to bounce back, to recover from adversity – whether it’s our first rejection or our latest. Because we know as writers that to do this thing, this craft and this job we love, we must be buoyant. We must keep hope floating, even in the face of all the facts. And the facts are daunting. The journey from a completed manuscript to actually holding a published book in your hands can be a long and frustrating one. We’ve all heard of the overnight success stories. But that’s why we’ve all heard of them. For most of us, it will be a journey of perseverance, of heartache and ultimately, with enough [...]

25 04, 2011

Real You: That’s what friends are for!

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:10:03+00:00April 25, 2011|Uncategorized, women|Comments Off on Real You: That’s what friends are for!

So, here I am, on the campaign trail so to speak. Promoting an about to be released debut novel feels like a long solo trek sometimes but just when I begin to think all is lost and lonely, something fabulous comes along! In this particular case, in the form of a profile on the blog of the amazing Beth Hoffman, author of the equally amazing novel Saving CeeCee Honeycutt. To be a guest on a New York Times Bestselling novelists blog is - well - a dream come true. I'm still pinching myself! Here's the link. And yes, Beth is as nice and real as she seems. Amazing.