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Lee Ann Walling

My debut novel, The Salt and Light Express, will be published this October. It’s the story of Chris, an adventurous older woman who heads west in a small RV after the death of her long-time partner, Sally. Her original mission was to spread Sally’s ashes at Bryce Canyon, but detours along the way help her heal, confront her flagging faith, and find love and purpose again. It’s an inspiring novel perfect for book clubs, and I can’t wait for you to read it.

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Pre-order begins September 15. You’ll be able to buy the book here and in all the usual places. Stay tuned.

Book launch party!

Come join us from 1 to 2:30 Wednesday, October 15 at Epworth United Methodist Church to welcome The Salt and Light Express into the world. Music and munchies and books, oh my!

It’s free, but please register and bring an item for the Epworth Food Pantry.

MFA and Beyond

I post on Substack about the low-residency MFA, the writing life, and what happens next. Subscribe for free!

Shifting Sands Media will be the imprint for publishing The Salt and Light Express and subsequent novels.

Instagram

Woo-hoo.  Thanks @camprehoboth ! #indieauthorsofinstagram #lgbtq  #sapphicbooks
Join us at the pop-up book store at @camprehoboth #womensfest in #rehobothbeach Friday (11 to 4) and Saturday (9 to 1). A range of #lgbtq spiciness. #indieauthorsofinstagram
Figuring out ways to expand my reach beyond my IG, FB and Substack world. I joined @podmatch_com and I’ve been busy. Link in profile. #indieauthorsofinstagram #podcast #authorsofinstagram
This morning’s #sunrise off the boardwalk. We stayed in #rehobothbeach over the Easter weekend.
Publish independently, they said. You can keep all the money, they said. My take on the sale of three hardcovers that retail for $27.95: $1.37. Total. (I was warned; I decided to do a hard cover for #libraries)  There will be a different business model next time. #indieauthorsofinstagram #drexelmfa #ingramsparkauthor
"The Salt and Light Express" may only register a "1" on the Spice-O-Meter (scale of 0 to 3) but that's enough to get me into the @sapphiclitpopup bookstore at @camprehoboth #womensfest Come visit us April 10-11! #rehobothbeach #LGBTQ
I won’t mention the book because it is a #selfpublished phenom and it’ll sound like sour grapes. It takes a lot for me not to finish a book.It may have something to do with my potty training. #indieauthorsofinstagram #dnf #lifestooshort
I decided to diversify my reading and chose a white male author, lol. I loved the story, scope, and the voice of this novel. I minored in Russian studies at @utaustintx so that boosted the enjoyment.#bookstagram @amortowles Спасибо!
Invited to participate May 31 in @huxandhiro author fair, #rockwoodpark in #wilmingtonde. Now I need a tent and a table! #indieauthorsofinstagram #authorofinstagram #saltandlightexpress Drop by!
Just finished reading #theplaceoftides by @herdyshepherd1 A thoughtful book for #lent. Just makes me covet #norway even more.
Not exactly rolling in the royalties, but it’s not Amazon’s fault. The numbers. Link in profile. #indieauthorsofinstagram #drexelmfa #authorsofinstagram #amazonauthor #ingramsparkauthor
Not a very exciting graphic, but how else do I celebrate finishing the #firstdraft of my second #novel? Let the revisions begin! ⌨️🖥️🔪🍷#indieauthorsofinstagram #writing #drexelmfa
I read about one #memoir a year. This one is heartbreaking, hilarious and hopeful. I need to stop reading it in bed and laughing out loud. @jenhatmaker #awake
Nothing else to say. #nationalnightmare #nosenseofdecency #racist #pos
Excited about this! Thanks @camprehoboth You can register on @lewes.library website. #bookclub #lgbtqbooks #lgbtq #roadtrip #rehobothbeach
Woohoo! 70,000 words. I am in the home stretch. Will finish manuscript by end of February. Have revision coach lined up. #thenextrightthing #indieauthorsofinstagram #writinganovel #writingcommunity #lgbtqbooks
We’re on our fifth one of these since January 1. #cabinfever #jigsawpuzzle #cmonspring
Just needed some words of wisdom about these times. Thanks, @sarcasticlutheran #epworthrb #resist #forwhatitsworth
As an #indieauthor, I discovered #perplexity for all kinds of novel-related research, and I am addicted. Otherwise, AI annoys the bejeesus out of me. Link in profile. #writingcommunity #writing #drexelmfa
If you have #spotify premium you can listen to the #audiobook as part of your membership. I’d share the link and make it easy but I can’t. P.s. the narration is awesome. @theaudiobookexperience #saltandlightexpress #roadtrip #faithjourney
I will be at the new @bam_dover at 1:30 pm Saturday, January 10. Come keep me company. It’s a great store for #doverdelaware #doverde #kentcountyde #delaware #drexelmfa
Prominently displayed. Me and James Patterson. #indieauthorsofinstagram #shelflife #writingcommunityofinstagram #drexelmfa
Mystery. Foreboding. Dread. Maybe terror. You know the sh#t is going to hit the fan. Really enjoying it. #wilddarkshore #edgeofmyseat #cantputitdown

Lee Ann's Bookshelf

Bummer Camp
Remarkably Bright Creatures
The God of the Woods
The Medicine Woman of Galveston
Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted
The Life Impossible
James
The Ministry of Time
All the Colors of the Dark
Do I Stay Christian?: A Guide for the Doubters, the Disappointed, and the Disillusioned
The Women
Here One Moment
The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War
Devil Is Fine
Sea of Tranquility
Station Eleven
Real Americans
The Maid
Anita de Monte Laughs Last
While We Were Burning


Lee Ann's favorite books »