Life – Anna Bushi

A Day to Remember

On August 23, a warm Saturday, I had the joy of participating in the inaugural KPBS San Diego Book Festival, presented at the University of San Diego. From the moment I walked in with my festival badge proudly stamped Author (a word that still makes me blink in disbelief, even after all these years), I knew it was going to be a special day.

Meeting Readers—and My Best Marketer Yet

The best part of any festival is meeting readers, old and new, and sharing my books with them. But this time, I had an extra-special helper—my daughter. She has read all my books (a feat in itself!) and turned out to be the most enthusiastic and persuasive bookseller at the table. Watching her share my stories with visitors, speaking with such conviction, was both humbling and heartwarming.

Connecting with Authors Old and New

One of the joys of festivals is reconnecting with fellow authors.

I caught up with Jolie Tunnell, who writes delightful mystery novels. Jolie and I have shared a tent before at the Encinitas Street Fair, and it was such a treat to snap a photo together again, swapping stories about books and events.

I was delighted to see Dennis K. Crosby and Sarah Faxon, two writers I’ve shared a table with in the past. Both were there representing the Horror Writers Association, San Diego chapter, and it was inspiring—as always—to see their passion for storytelling and community.

This year, I had the pleasure of sharing my festival tent with Veranice Berry, who writes YA novels inspired by Egyptian mythology. Our daughters came to help out, another thing we had in common. Veranice and I exchanged books, and I can’t wait to dive into hers. That’s the beauty of these festivals—the chance to connect not only with readers but also with fellow authors who inspire you.

A Festival to Remember

Between the conversations, the laughter, and the joy of seeing so many people come together to celebrate books, this festival was everything I hoped for and more. Huge thanks to KPBS and the University of San Diego for creating such a vibrant, welcoming event for authors and readers alike.

I came away with new memories, new books to read, and a deep sense of gratitude—for stories, for community, and for the chance to share my work in such a wonderful space.

Here’s to many more festivals like this one.

Struggles and Joys of Being an Author

Yesterday, I woke up excited about the book event at my local library. My library hosts a monthly book sale, and on a trial basis, they invited me to participate as a local author for a modest donation to the Friends of the Library. I was happy to contribute because libraries are the backbone of an educated society.

I arrived at 9 a.m. and was surprised to see so many volunteers preparing for the book sale. Some of these volunteers dedicate hours each week to helping at the Book Nook and serving our community. We are truly lucky to have them.

I set up my table, got ready for the event, and even posted a picture on my social media. Soon, a gentleman stopped by to chat with me about my books. I love this part—talking about my books and the characters who live in my head. Writing is a solitary journey for the most part, so engaging with readers is always a joy. He asked great questions and ended up purchasing a copy of Child of the River.

Then, things slowed down considerably. Though I kept a smile on my face, hardly anyone stopped by my table to chat. One of the volunteers mentioned that foot traffic was much lower compared to previous events. From what I observed, most visitors were primarily interested in bargain books.

That brings me to the struggles of being an author in this day and age, something I don’t talk about much. Most local authors I know have full-time jobs and write as a side project or hobby. The reason is obvious—it’s incredibly difficult to make a living from writing. Even modest success comes after years of hard work and publishing multiple books. Only a lucky few are able to feed both their soul and their stomach through writing.

I don’t say this to discourage young writers or artists. On the contrary, we all need to nourish our souls as well as our bodies. If storytelling is your calling, please continue to write—because no one else can tell your stories. But on the practical side, it’s important to remember that this journey is a marathon, not a sprint. While another author’s success can be inspirational, the road ahead is often arduous.

So, how did my day end?

The gentleman who had purchased Child of the River came back a short while later to ask how to pronounce the characters’ names. He mentioned that he had already started reading the book and was enjoying it so far. Those words were music to my ears.

Later, another volunteer, who had that rare quality of being a ray of sunshine, purchased a copy of Heir to Malla.

An hour before the event ended, I had packed up my books and loaded them into my car. Just as I was about to leave, I had another pleasant surprise—two of my dear friends had taken time out of their busy day to stop by. One even brought along her teenage child. D, S, and L—your support means the world to me. Thank you for thinking of me, and I hope you found some great books at the sale!

Being an author, painter, actor, dancer, or singer is equal parts rewarding and discouraging. If you ever have days when you struggle, know that I see you and that you are not alone. Take care of your mental health and find a community that supports you.

I will continue to write and read because both bring me so much joy. And on the business side of things—ever the optimist—I believe tomorrow will be a new day, filled with hope, happiness, and readers who love my stories.

Reading multiple books at once?

Do you read multiple books at once? I do, and it can feel like feasting at a buffet—a literary one. I am currently reading a non-fiction paperback and a fiction ebook. Since only the fictional novel has characters I need to keep track of, I don’t have to worry about confusing my characters’s dramas. That had happened to me before when I started a new fictional tale while in the middle of another one. I did that because I had borrowed a book from the library and needed to return it soon. It was quite the juggling act, keeping the plots from both books from dancing together. My brain enjoyed the workout.

Usually, I prefer to give each book its moment in the sun. I have read 37 books so far this year. Let us see how many more I can complete before the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve.

Who is glad live events are back?

What a great way to spend my Saturday. I hung out with fellow authors and talked about my stories with book lovers. The weather was still summer-like, and there was something magical about sharing my love of reading with others. I am grateful to the readers who stopped by and talked to me. Special thanks to those to purchased my books.

A reader who purchased my complete series reached out to say she has read the first two books and is halfway through the third. She loved the story so far. I have been floating in the air since I heard from her.

I attended a book reading event by author Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni at the Warwick’s book store. Her ability to craft stories was evident in her talk. The one-hour event imparted so many lessons for an author like me. She masterfully narrated her interest in Queen Jindan’s life and how she did her research into the historical period and the queen. I was astounded by how the author set up the scene before she started the reading. Though I have read excerpts from my books, I have never taken the time to explain the background before. Something for me to emulate in the future. The best advice she gave authors is to read great books. That advice is easy for me to follow because I love to read. The best part was getting her autograph on the novel The Last Queen. I cannot wait to read and share my review with you.

Can you a write a story in six words?

I did for a contest and was humbled to win first place.

I am immensely grateful for local organizations that support artists, including writers. Oceanside Cultural Arts Foundation is one such local organization that hosts the Write On Oceanside event.

They conducted a six-word story contest. I have never participated in a contest before, and I write 80k to 90k words novels. There is always a first time for everything, and I decided to craft a story in six words.

Legend has it that Ernest Hemingway bet his literary friends that he could write an entire story in six words. The group put $10.00 each into the pot, then Hemingway wrote, “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.”

(Source: Write On Oceanside website)

I am in awe of his talent. I have years of practice ahead of me to reach his level. As the first step in that journey, my short won first place at the contest.

He collapsed, and death united them.
Anna Bushi

Well, what do you think? I would love to hear from you. One day, I hope to write his backstory. While not short, my complete trilogy is available in Kindle Unlimited for binge reading.

Furry foster baby

For a few weeks, my family has been fostering a rescue Chihuahua dog. Marty is six years old and has been a great addition to our family.

For us, this has been a fabulous opportunity, with all of us at home. I imagine this is how grandparents feel. We have been pampering Marty with cuddles, playing fetch, and walks.

Look at him. Isn’t he adorable? In a short time, he has become a part of our family, and we have arranged our days around him. He has touched our hearts and lives.

Marty’s first human parent passed away, so he has been through a lot. He deserves a loving family, and I believe we have found him one. He is off to his forever home tomorrow, and we will miss him terribly.

We will definitely foster another furry baby in the future.

Just a week left in my Instagram promotion. No purchase necessary. Two winners to be announced on Oct 31st.