So the book launch is officially real

Hey friends,

I’ve missed writing to you.

The book is moving forward, and I feel the next month or two are gonna go by really fast (because the last two certainly have).

A lot happened between my last email and this one:

I changed the title of the book, I finished doing my last review of the manuscript, and I printed a few more copies of the prints.

I officially announced the book release last night on my social media.

I sat on the floor, shaking, as I wrote and posted the announcement. I even got dizzy because of how nervous I was, lol.

Fun fact, I sort of impulsively decided to announce it last night, because it was the last day of pride month. It’s important to me to share and say that this is a book about girls who love girls. And of course, by a girl who likes girls.

Even in poetry, I have often felt under represented as a queer woman. And the best way to change that is to tell my stories myself. Still, let me say, in this sacred space where only you guys read me. As vocal as I try to be, as much as I can act proudly, and as much as you think I don’t care what other people think: this is often terrifying.

Something that I didn’t expect is that it has become scarier with age, as my professional life delves into certain fields (like teaching) where it feels unsafe to be queer. I live in a country where it’s scary to hold my partner’s hand on the street, and where discrimination to people like me is used as a political campaign.

Still, as scary as it may be, that makes it feel even more important. I’ve been lucky enough that I’ve been queer and out of the closet for long enough that friends who are younger than messy they dare to be themselves because they saw me doing it. It’s a great honor.

And it’s something I’m hyper aware of as the book situation starts becoming more public.

Still, here I am. Sharing it all.

Hoping it helps someone else. Choosing to be brave and stand for what I believe in.

But well, that’s enough emotions, I believe.

Let’s get to the practical stuff:

I have just launched the pre-sale. You can access it here. The pre-sale will give you first dibs to a few things (which aren’t public, but I’ll share them with you):

• You get first access to my book prints, with a 10% off discount. There’s only 10 of each and that’s the only way to get access to them before the launch day.

• You get 50% off on your ticket to the book launch event (more on that soon, but it’s going to be CRAZY - I have a lot planned.)

• You get some other special gifts from me, which I’ll keep as a surprise for now.

Please choose the Q. option if you’re in Guate, and the $ option if you’re anywhere else in the world. This will make it a lot easier for me to fulfill your order.

I’m shaking, once again, as I send this email.

I’m excited, scared, and expectant to see what happens next.

I’ve been waiting for this day for so long, it’s crazy to finally be here.

But you know one thing I’m not? Lonely. I feel so supported and loved, and that’s all because of people like you, who have walked with me every step of the way.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Words will never be enough.

I’ll update you soon.

-Vale, The Friendly Artist.