After many years of work and revision…too many really, Ivy Leigh Ever After, my debut novel made it into the hands of a group of eager readers on Saturday! There’s nothing like a full room of jazzed up people with ultra kind hearts to make my own heart soar!

There’s been a ton of book buzz around Ivy, thanks to my ever faithful Blue Cottage Agency, and a ton of careful practiced steps to first of all see Ivy into print, but then to promote her and me, so finally Ivy Leigh will make it into the hands of kids around the US initially, but hopefully out into this vast world of ours! I have cousins everywhere it seems, Ireland, England, Australia, New Zealand and across the United States who’ve been so sweet in asking when and where they can purchase my book! (We have a few more continents to work on!)

All along, February 24, 2026 was set for the actual release of all three versions of my book: hardcover, paperback and eBook as well. But I’ve learned that release dates can be fluid, so I’m practicing patience at the moment. Please check my website at www.gaellynch.com where the links will soon become live! (We’re talking days!)

A book launch, however, is a chance to read aloud, to introduce Ivy’s story with a little bit of backstory about how she became to be and a day of pulling back the curtain to allow a little light shine on my work and me as a writer. I do have to say I was practically glowing after the day was over. I signed many, many books and had a moment or two to chat with the person who’d soon dive into IVY LEIGH.

But the real takeaway for me came when the crowd erupted into laughter at just the right spots! I chose to read the intro chapter to dive into one of my favorite characters, Mr. Winters. Ivy asks him to help her train her new puppy, Peachy, who is an escape artist. He asks her what the problem is, and she says—“There’s a certain neighbor who has been talking to Grandma.” And Grandma is making threats about talking Ivy Leigh’s dog away. Mr. Winters in his deep voice tells her, “Well, Ivy Leigh, there are two kinds of business. My business and nobody else’s business.”

Mr. Winters had a few other pearls too, and I do have to say I’ve had him and Ivy to myself for a very long time. The thing that’s kept me going was always the entertainment my characters have given me when it was their turn to step onto the stage. There are more than a few others that have made me laugh and made me cry.

Robert Frost once said, “No tears for the writer, no tears for the reader. No surprise for the writer, no surprise for the reader.” He is so often quoted, and was frequently quoted by my mentor, Patricia Reilly Giff. My hope is the same applies to both…laughing as crying! I do love a book full of emotion, but most of all now, my heart is full of hope…that readers will embrace my girl, Ivy Leigh, and laugh and love the many great people that love her and help her to find her way at this fragile period in her life!