My incredible, amazing, wonderful readers! 🎊

I'm writing this at 2:47 AM because I can't sleep. Not from anxiety this time – from pure, ridiculous, overwhelming JOY.

"The Memory Keepers" is officially out in the world!

Launch Day Recap

Y'all. Y'ALL. I don't even know where to start.

The virtual launch party had 312 people attending! My dad finally figured out Zoom (and then accidentally became a co-host and started muting people, but we don't talk about that). My editor popped champagne on camera. Fitzgerald made a surprise appearance by walking across my keyboard during the reading.

Best moment: When you all started sharing your own family memory stories in the chat. I had to stop reading twice because I was getting emotional. This community you've built around a book that didn't even exist a year ago? Magic. Pure magic.

The Numbers That Made Me Scream

First week sales: 3,241 copies

I'm still processing this. My publisher called it "exceptional for a debut." I called it "excuse me WHAT?!" We're already going into a second printing. A SECOND PRINTING.

Also, we're currently sitting at: - #7 in Literary Fiction (!!!) - #23 in All Fiction (excuse me?!) - 4.7 stars on Goodreads (I'm only checking once a day now, growth!)

Your Reviews Are Everything

I've been reading every single review (yes, even the 2-star one that said there were "too many feelings"). Some highlights that made me sob:

"This book found me at exactly the right time. I called my mom after Chapter 3." - Lindsay R.

"Sarah Chen has crafted a story that feels like coming home and leaving home at the same time." - Marcus T.

"I finished this in one sitting and immediately started it again. The layers!" - Jennifer P.

"Made me ugly cry on an airplane. The person next to me asked if I was okay. I was not." - David K.

What's Next?

Deep breath. Book Two news!

I can officially announce that "The Silence of Tides" (Memory Keepers Book 2) is scheduled for Fall 2025! I'm already 30,000 words in, and let's just say... if you thought Book 1 had twists, you're not ready for what's coming.

Also launching: - Monthly virtual book club meetings (first Tuesday of each month) - Behind-the-scenes newsletter for writing nerds (sign up for the writing newsletter) - A podcast! "Memory & Myth" launches next month where I'll interview authors about family stories

The Gratitude Section

I need to thank: - Everyone who pre-ordered (you're the real MVPs) - The bookstagrammers who made those GORGEOUS posts - The book clubs already reading it (there are 27! TWENTY-SEVEN!) - My mom, who really did buy 12 copies and gave them to random strangers - Fitzgerald, who supervised every single writing session

But mostly, I need to thank YOU. For believing in this story before it was even finished. For sharing your excitement. For trusting me with your reading time.

Quick Favor?

If you loved the book, would you mind leaving a review on Amazon or Goodreads? Reviews are like gold for new authors. They help other readers find the book and help me convince my publisher that people actually want Book 2 (they do, right? RIGHT?!)

This Month's Celebration Reads

Books I'm reading to calm my post-launch adrenaline: - "Anxious People" by Fredrik Backman – Funny-cry instead of sad-cry - "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" by Taylor Jenkins Reid – OBSESSED - "Project Hail Mary" by Andy Weir – Science fiction that makes me laugh

I did it. WE did it. There's a book in the world with my name on it, and people are actually reading it, and some of them even like it.

Is this real life?

Sarah Chen
Published author (!!!!!!)

P.S. – Fitzgerald update: He's discovered that sitting on the physical copies of my book gets him maximum attention. He's now claimed the display box as his new throne. Marketing genius or typical cat behavior? You decide.

P.P.S. – If you see "The Memory Keepers" in the wild, please send photos! I'm keeping an album and definitely not crying over each one.

You're receiving this because you're part of the best book community ever. Want to spread the love? Forward this to a book-loving friend! Unsubscribe but know that Fitzgerald will judge you.