Thank you for being here. I’d like to share something personal with all of you. September 2021, my husband David was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver. (In the early 1970’s he contacted hepatitis. Back then they had no idea about or how to test for the C virus and as a result he developed a silent killer.)

When I launched my first novel STILL CRAZY in March of 2021 I had a book launch celebration at a local restaurant. For my next novel (March 2022) THE INN IN RHODE ISLAND, I stayed close to home and hosted a drive by.

I am glad to say on June 15, 2022 David received the gift of life and was given a liver. His recovery and healing time was THE most important thing to me.

March 2023, I launched my third novel THE COTTAGE at The Inn in Rhode Island. The story deserved to be in the limelight. I should have promoted it more, everywhere and in the media, but I concentrated my my husband’s health instead. The story is unique, a true testament to everlasting love and the power of believing in yourself. Readers everywhere are giving it five star reviews. Early praise for the story declares this a story you cannot put down and you have to know how it ends.

I was so pleased with the recognition the book was getting I reached out to other authors hoping for some assistance in getting the story out there. I hand selected twenty-five writers whom I have supported in the past. From featuring their stories in my monthly newsletter to my book of the month book club.

One author wrote: “Thanks for the support on my first book don’t forget to support my second novel coming out next month. By the way, now that I have your email address, don’t bother to sign up for my newsletter, I already added you.” She seriously wrote that.

A couple of the writers said they were simply too busy to copy and paste my release. Another writer wrote me a long message about how she did not have the time to support anyone at the moment.

Five out of the twenty-five writers responded by saying they would do a shout out on their page for me. One writer not only shared my book on release day, she invited me to be a guest on her radio show. Another writer wrote about me and where I write from on her blog. People, we are all in the water together. Swimming toward the same goal – to be heard and share our stories with the world. Am I upset? Mad perhaps. No. I will continue to support my fellow writers as best I can. I am a leader. I know the importance of lifting each other up. Especially other women!!!

I reached out to two writers I love reading. One ignored me, but I heard from Laura Dave’s assistant advising me where to send my request. In tears, I thanked her for getting back to me and for trying to assist me.

I also reached out to a local library asking if I could participate in her summer book festival. As soon as I told her I was self published, she denied me access. My response was, “I am an award winning writer, and a member of the American Library Association. When will the world stop looking down on people who choose to self publish? Colleen Hoover is on the cover of TIME Magazine as one of one-hundred most influential people. Shame on you.”

This is not my rant. I am simply saying be nice to one another. Look out for each other. Because at the end of the day, you never know who sent that person to you!

Judy Prescott Marshall writes fiction. She is a multi-award-winning writer. She earned her certificate Write Your First novel from Michigan State University. A creative thinking and believer of the power of positive thoughts. A recipient of the leadership award from the prestigious Upward Bound Program. (The same award given to Oprah Winfrey.) Her motto in life is to be strong enough. You don’t have to be stronger – just strong enough!

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