Launching a Book Takes Heart

Plus a few good links and our next stop on the book tour

Jul 11, 2025

Two weeks ago, along with my co-editor

, we celebrated the launch of our anthology Midlife Private Parts: Revealing Essays that Will Change the Way You Think About Age. We shared a series of photos and videos that couldn't have told a better story - they highlighted the community, collaboration, and camaraderie that formed as part of this anthology.

But, there's another story I haven't shared. The one about the deep-seated fear I have of public speaking, about standing on a stage and representing the women who wrote for us and who trusted we would do a great job publishing this book.

But for every photo you may have seen, there were three sleepless nights. In the days leading up to the event, I barely slept at all. I was wired and anxious. I questioned why I ever wanted to publish a book and wrestled with my inner mean girl voice in the middle of the night. The one that LOVES to whisper: "You're not cut out for this," and even though I tried not to acknowledge her, she pressed all my buttons. The saying “it's darkest before dawn" is the utter truth.

But now, I'm sorry I wished the time away, because the women who wrote for us mean the world to me. And two weeks later, I finally watched a video of myself from the book launch and it wasn't half bad. Perhaps, I can improve with time.

I'm writing this - not for sympathy, but to share another side of the truth. Because we only see small pieces of reality online. Because visibility — real visibility — isn't just about shining - it's about showing the cracks in the light too—the ones we don't want others to see.

I wrote this to make sense of the past two weeks, but it’s also for anyone who has ever felt an inner unraveling, whether on a stage, in a meeting, or when standing up for yourself. Trust me, you are not alone or broken. And yes, you are cut out for this, especially when you think you're not. Just don't forget to share messy pieces of the story, too; they're just as important as the rest of it.

If you'd like to share any messy or not-so-messy pieces, I’d love to hear from you.

A few recent very good things:

Katie Couric Media excerpted one of the essays from the anthology, and we could not be more thrilled that they chose to share a piece by Marian Adams.

*The Link Between Menopause and Mental Health | KCM

The newsletter “Hello Gloria” also excerpted an essay, this one featuring a humorous piece from the excellent writer

Wendi Aarons

*The Realities of Empty Nesting - Hello Gloria

Recently, I came across the documentary series "Caregiving" on PBS, (shout out to Hello Gloria for putting it on my radar) an inside look at caring for elderly parents, including Bradley Cooper’s experience with his father. A worthwhile watch for those currently dealing with caregiving and for those who anticipate it in the future.

Last night I listened to the podcast Liberty Road with Nada Jones. This week, she interviews Mandy Lehto, an ex-investment banker turned executive coach who has her own podcast "Enough", which sits in the top 2% of podcasts globally. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Nada Jones' thoughtful questions (she's a natural podcaster) and Mandy Lehto's take on shifting purpose, changing careers, and what it means to be enough.

Lastly, a personal Invitation: If you're hoping to catch us on book tour, our next stop is Zibby's Book Shop in Santa Monica, CA on July 27th.

We’d really love to see you there. -Dina