In 18+ years of publishing I've picked up a few fun stories. But by far the best one is about a boomerang author...the internationally lauded, New York Times bestselling author Ruta Sepetys.

But she wasn’t a famous author when I met her. She was an author querying agents, hoping to get a book deal one day.

Why I Love Ruta Sepetys

I hosted Ruta Sepetys Book Launch at Parnassus Books on May 28, 2026, for A FORTUNE OF SAND. There's a great story about my 18 years of championing her books...
When I interned at Writers House in 2008, I gave feedback on the book that became BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY! Ruta didn’t know me then, but I sure knew her.Years later, as a publicist, I worked on the radio tour for that same book... and several of R
When I started work at Curb College, I didn’t know and later was surprised to find that Ruta was on our advisory board! It all came full circle this week when we hosted Ruta on the WriterFest Podcast (Ami’s project but I love to make a guest appearan

Ruta Sepetys is not only a phenomenal historical fiction author, but she’s a kind advocate for writers and I am so pleased to call her my friend. Working in publishing you really do meet the best people.

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