Writer’s World

My Travel Year + Pre-Order Unicorn Island: Secret Beneath The Sand Now!

I know it’s been a long time since I’ve sent out some news, but it’s been quite the year as you’ll soon read below!

But right now, I’m getting excited for Volume 2 of Unicorn Island, Secret Beneath the Sand, to release February 1^st in hardcover! The illustrations are AMAZING in this book and I can’t wait for you to see them. AND you can pre-order Secret Beneath the Sand now. If you do, I can send you a bookmark and an autographed book plate label for you—or a special reader you know. 😊 Just email me your address and who you’d like the book personalized for at donna@donnagalanti.com. Check out the cover here!

In Volume 2 of the series, Sam and Tuck are on their way to becoming unicorn protectors when they discover new secrets about the island that threaten unicorns’ existence!

Sam can’t believe how much her life and luck have changed since she came to Foggy Harbor: First, she discovered that unicorns are real, and now she’s on her way to becoming an actual unicorn protector! With her new friend, Tuck, by her side during Uncle Mitch’s lessons, Sam finally feels like she’s home.

But as the long-buried dangers of Unicorn Island begin to surface and a mysterious scourge spreads throughout the herd, Sam learns the truth behind Aunt Sylvie’s disappearance and her own connection to the island. With determination, courage, and fierce loyalty to one another—and to their code as unicorn protectors—the kids set out to protect the island’s secrecy and the unicorns’ very existence.

PRE-ORDER AT YOUR FAVORITE BOOKSELLER

I just sent the final draft for Unicorn Island Volume 3 to my editor. Watch for this coming out February 2023! For now, see a sneak peek into the beautiful artwork by Bethany Stancliffe she created for Secret Beneath the Sand.

Don’t have a copy of Unicorn Island 1 yet? You can order both here!

As I said, it’s been a crazy year. After packing up our house and moving to a new area and home … over the course of 13 weeks, I was then gone for 10 of those weeks because…

Spent a month in Hawaii moving my son to Oahu for a GAP year before college.
Traveled to North Carolina three times to visit my dad and get him registered for assisted living.
Traveled to Cape Cod twice for writing retreats.
Traveled to Northern NY for a writing retreat.
Visited Vermont for our 20^th wedding anniversary.
Visited D.C. to see an old friend.
All while on book deadline for Unicorn Island 3 and dealing with a leg injury I needed physical therapy for! (I am on the mend although it’s been slow).

See some photos below!

I’m finally getting settled in my new home and having fun exploring the area. I’m living back in the country now and loving it. It’s so picturesque and peaceful and dark at night. I love the spread of farms and fields and woods. The Mennonite horse and buggies clip-clopping past our house. The covered bridges and little farm stands with local artisanal food.

And getting settled means getting back to writing! In particular, revisions of a fun adventure middle grade I hope to send my agent in the New Year. The story involves a legacy, a ticking clock, a ghost story, a quest to save an ancestral home, a hidden fortune, and family lost and found.

As for me, my head is already getting ready for Christmas as one month from today my son, Joshua, comes home for two whole weeks. I have peace of mind that he loves his job, his car, and his apartment. Plus, he’s working hard on his business he launched as a Junior in high school–Spiffy Laces. Watch for his new designs coming soon. He uniquely designs them himself! ORDER HERE.

I won’t have seen Joshua for 3 ½ months and that is waaaaayyyyy too long. ☹ Miss this kid–and how he makes me laugh.

I hope you all are having a wonderful fall! Happy reading and adventuring!

XXOO -Donna

Unicorn Island Hardcover out Feb. 9th plus Events, Giveaways & Reviews!

By Donna Galanti

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted. Maybe early summer? Yikes! With this pandemic going on, every day seems the same. A blur of time. I’m sure many of you felt like that, too! I’ve been getting in as many hikes, kayaking, and family outdoor trips as I can with my husband and son, in between writing, of course.

It was also a super busy summer and fall for me with writing. I was contracted to write the second book in the Unicorn Island series by Epic. It releases in 5 parts in May 2021 on the Epic platform, the leading digital library for elementary students, followed with hardcover winter of 2022.

NEWS: I’m thrilled that the illustrated hardcover of Unicorn Island, book 1, releases one month from today, February 9th, by Andrews McMeel Publishing (Simon & Schuster)!

You can pre-order the book here. PLUS, email me your receipt at donna@donnagalanti.com and I’ll mail you out a bookmark and autographed bookplate to place in the book! Just let me know who to personalize it to. 😊

To celebrate the launch of Unicorn Island, I’ll be discussing the book through an Author in Conversation virtual event with the super nice and talented author F.T. (Fleur) Bradley. The event, hosted by my favorite local bookstore, The Doylestown Bookshop, will be held February 9th at 7pm. Register here for free: https://www.crowdcast.io/e/donna-galanti-in

You’ll also get the chance to ask us both questions, too! You’ll definitely want to check out Fleur’s newest book, Midnight at the Barclay Hotel. It’s a delightful, fun mystery in a spooky setting. See my full review here.

Around release day, I’ll also be doing loads of interviews with cool book bloggers and a fun unicorn-themed giveaway that you or your favorite unicorn lover will want to enter. More information to come!

After writing the next book in the Unicorn Island series this summer, I finished a new middle grade that involves more mystery and adventure, and then was contracted to write another middle grade fantasy—and wrote that full length book in a month! And finally, I revised a current novel draft with a new plot line. Needless to say, with all this book writing in 2020, I ran away to get it all done on deadline. Multiple times. This involved going to one of my favorite places to write (three times) at The Highlights Foundation.

In between all this, I raced up to Cape Cod (also three times!) with my critique partner, Erica George, to get some writing done.

Erica’s AMAZING debut novel comes out this May, Words Composed of Sea and Sky. This young adult historical/contemporary novel is beautiful in so many ways. The prose is poetic and lyrical at times, deepening even more the emotion we feel for the characters. See my full review here and purchase the book and follow Erica.

I finished my writing marathon with a few days of relaxation at my very own farmhouse in fall at The Highlights Foundation. This is a wonderful haven for writers! Amazing setting, delicious food, warm and friendly staff.

Writing for children is a magical thing. Yes, writing books is H-A-R-D! Plotting, creating characters, building worlds, adding adventure and mystery…and revision. LOTS of revision. But connecting with kids and sharing books with them is an amazing job. And I get to be a kid again myself. Forever in that wondrous place between childhood and teen, where the world is still full of mystery and fantasy—and anything is possible.

And if you love books, too, then hopefully you love to support authors. The best way to support us is to buy and read our books, post honest reviews online, and share with friends! Help me do that for Unicorn Island and I’ll be forever grateful 😊. Here are some ways to do that:

Pre-order Unicorn Island at your favorite bookseller
Follow me on Amazon
Follow me at BookBub
Follow me on Goodreads
Follow me on Instagram
Follow me on Twitter
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Check out #newrelease Unicorn Island! Because beyond the mist lies a magical secret waiting to be discovered. “A fast-paced magical adventure.”-Kirkus Reviews. Pre-order the illustrated hardcover: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Unicorn-Island/Donna-Galanti/Unicorn-Island/9781524864705 #unicorns #childrensbooks

Summer fun + more Unicorn Island books to come!

By Donna Galanti

Summer is nearly here! I hope you are enjoying outdoor adventures wherever you are. While this time has been hard for so many, I’ve tried to embrace this gift of time to spend with loved ones. Since we’ve been in isolation for nearly three months and my husband’s business was shut down, we’ve had more time together as a family and planned a nature excursion each week. The woods have always been where I go to find peace and solitude–it’s also where most of my story ideas are born!

Here are a few photos of our recent adventures–and I’m excited to say we’ve just added kayaks to our family adventures (my birthday gift to me since today is my birthday!). 🥰

This time has also given me more time to work on new book ideas–including a new story outline for the next book in my Unicorn Island series! Since its release digitally in May on the Epic platform in a 5-part book serial (hardcover coming May 2021), the book has done so well that Epic hired me to write more books in the series. Yay! Watch for them coming spring 2021. You can get Epic free with a 30-day trial here and access 40K titles as the leading digital library for kids 12 and under: https://www.getepic.com/

So, last year Epic hired me to write a book for middle grade readers. With our first conversation, all I knew was that they “wanted a book where a girl must take care of a unicorn.” From this grew the idea for Unicorn Island: The Secret of Lost Luck–and I had no idea of the reception it would get! I’m happy to see that Unicorn Island has made its way on to many elementary school summer reading lists. It’s also out in audio book! And if you’re looking for more adventure books then check out my Joshua and the Lightning Road series!

I’ve also had so many wonderful messages from teachers, parents, and kids telling me how much they enjoy Unicorn Island.

This one below made my day today! How cute is this? I’ve never had anyone sign it “your fan”. For some reason, they all want to know how old I am. Ha ha! (51 today!)

Another little girl truly touched my heart. Her mom reached out to me with immense gratitude this past month. Her daughter had been so depressed by the pandemic, and the most heartbreaking thing was that she hadn’t seen her dad since December as he is an essential worker working far away. The little girl discovered my Unicorn Island series and something clicked–she “got a twinkle in her eye” and couldn’t wait to read all the books.

The mom thanked me from the bottom of her heart for bringing her daughter’s spark back for the first time in months. I offered to do a Zoom video call and it was so fun! The little girl asked the smartest questions, too. She also just sent me ideas for the next books in the series. This is what makes my heart burst with joy as a children’s book author. This is so why our world needs storytellers–to inspire, give hope, and entertain when we most need it.

I’ve had several kids write and let me know that they’d like to become an author now, too.

And speaking of becoming an author–if you’re a novelist seeking to finish your first draft or revise it for publication, check out my brand new online course I just launched!

I’ll cover what you need to improve your novel writing and editing skills to create a better manuscript that can catch the eye of an agent, editor, publisher, or reader—while saving thousands of dollars on story developmental editing services.

You’ll discover 9 story building issues that could be preventing YOU from getting published—or capturing a reader’s attention—and the techniques to fix them. PLUS, you’ll get direct access to my writing and editing toolbox AND my 10 years of author experience. ENROLL NOW and get my new course now for just $19.99 (reg. $59.99) for a limited time and save 67%. ENDS JUNE 20.

Since today is my birthday, your gift can be to share this promotion with writers you may know! 🥰

I know these times are difficult right now still, but I hope you are finding ways to cope. Meditating is a wonderful way to achieve this. And discovering transcendental meditation last year has changed my life. I practice it daily. I’ve lost 20 lbs. I’m more focused. But most importantly, I’m no longer quick to anger and I let things go. I’m filled with peace, compassion and hope every day. I wish the whole world would meditate right now–it would be a much better place.

Wishing you peace and love!

XXOO–Donna

P.S. Here are recent messages I’ve found on walks in the park near me. I hope they inspire!

On Unicorns, Forests And Finding Gifts During A Pandemic

By Donna Galanti

We just celebrated National Unicorn Day yesterday! Why am I so excited? Because I have a book surprise coming out in May—and it involves unicorns! Can’t. Wait. To. Share! More to come … 😊

Fave Unicorn Fact: Unicorn families spend their lives alone, living in peace deep in the forest.

It’s my favorite fact because I love being alone and stepping through forests. My inner peace glows. My spirit is refreshed. And I’m so lucky to experience it every day during this pandemic through a lovely old-growth forest in my backyard.

What is an old-growth forest? They are off-the beaten path wondrous places where trees have soared undisturbed toward the sky for centuries. Here are five old-growth forests to discover in the United States and in Pennsylvania, where I live. I realized not so long ago that the woods are featured in every one of the books I write–whether published, on-submission, or being drafted right now.

As an only child growing up in the Helderberg Mountains of Upstate New York, my playground was the forest. I spent my days roaming along old rock walls with my dogs, gazing up at the sky from secret meadows, and writing my poems and stories in the nooks of old oaks. I also used to sing songs to the woods. I still walk in the woods every day but listen to the trees sing now. The woods are part of me.

And I truly believe that these magical spaces offer much-needed time away from the dire situation of the world right now. They are a gift—and help me see the gifts we’re also being handed during this crisis.

I’ve worked at home since 2005, so this new routine is a familiar one for me that I love but I know its unfamiliar for many of you. I do believe that finding peace in nature is something we can all do to help navigate the coronavirus challenge—and help us find other hidden gifts.

So, I go to the woods and empower myself with these gifts:

The alarm clock is gone. Waking up naturally is bliss.
No obligations to go anywhere, see anyone. The rush has slowed to a sweet amble.
Exercising more. Walks, bike rides. Sometimes twice a day. Losing weight: bonus!
More family time every day. More together. More dinners, laughs, talks, walks.
More family excursions. Finding those out-of-the-way places to hike and bike.
Supporting small local grocers, farmers markets, and farms with curbside grocery pick up rather than mega-supermarkets.
Meditating twice a day (Transcendental Meditation has transformed my life and helped me stay peaceful during this time).
Focusing on what I can control: my writing projects, my freelance client work, my online course projects, what I choose to eat, how I choose to exercise, how I choose to react.
Letting go of things that cause overwhelm like social media, negative people, and the news.
Practicing gratitude every day for life’s abundance and reaching out to those who need support.
Knowing we will come out of this stronger in mind and spirit.

What gifts have you found in this time of crisis? I hope you can embrace them and keep them with you long after this crisis is over. And I hope you can find that place in nature that helps your spirits soar.

Have a peaceful Easter and Passover! And watch for my book release next month. Because … unicorns! 😊

Pumpkin Pie Forever

By Donna Galanti

This was the first autumn in years I didn’t cook my pumpkins. And without pumpkins there’s no fresh pumpkin pie.

This year there would be no orange pulp to cook, puree, and squeeze through cheese cloth. No dough rolled out from my mother’s worn, wooden rolling pin. No flour dotted pages to turn on the warped old cook book (the one I didn’t need anymore as I knew the recipe by heart). It was the first cook book I ever had. The one given to me from my mother to make my first kitchen complete. The Good Housekeeping Illustrated Cook Book.

This year the book would sit on a shelf. There would be no home made whip cream laced with nutmeg and vanilla to grace that gooey pumpkin custard. No flaky crust to hang down from the over sized pie dish with flowers on the bottom. My mother gave me that too.

I didn’t plan it that way. It just happened. Too busy. Too many projects. For the first time it just didn’t feel important. I had proven to my mother once that I made a better pumpkin pie than her. She said so. And the truth was in her saying.

It was even good the year she pulled my pie from the oven and with one slip of her hands she flipped it over upside down on the oven door. We looked at each other and laughed. And as the guests waited in the candle-lit dining room with the cornucopia on the table, we quickly scooped up the mush and arranged it perfectly back in the crust. No one knew.

That was before the cancer came. Her body was strong and vibrant then, like her spirit.

I think I’ve gotten my mother’s gravy down. The jury is still out. And my mother will never be able to tell me so. But I’ll know. Then there’s her southern biscuits to be made with sorghum, lemon meringue pie, and mincemeat pie.

There’s no rush. I have time ahead of me. Lots of time. And her notes in the margin to help. That swirly, on-the-go, right-slanted script I know by heart. It was shaky at the end. Unsteady and weak. But not this handwriting. The one in my cook book is dynamic and purposeful.

Like my mother. Like me.

I don’t have to prove my pumpkin pie to anyone anymore, least of all my mother. She’s been gone these last few Thanksgivings, but I know she’ll be part of my pumpkin pie forever.

Even if I don’t make it.