Acknowledgments: Spotlight on Dia Calhoun

Am I the only one who loves to read an author's acknowledgments--our version of credits, homage to everyone who touched our book? (Personally, I prefer to read the acknowledgments at the end of the book since it feels like a grace note--the thank you after sharing the work with the reader. I simply don't get acknowledging people at the front of the book.)

I always wonder about the people who are included in that thank you--what made them so special to be immortalized in a book? Who are these people? Perhaps it's the writer in me. But I want their story, too.

So I thought I would share the inside scoop on some of the amazing people who helped shape NORTH OF BEAUTIFUL. First up is Dia Calhoun--Dia, my Dia--an award-winning author, co-founder of readergirlz, and one of my peeps!

What many of her readers don't realize is that Dia is also a brilliant artist, a lettering artist who created the Alaska Airlines logo. For my homecoming from China, she created a piece of art for my entry, words taken from my latest novel: Feed Hope.


How can hope not be fed with that glorious piece of art in my home?

And now Dia has launched a new website for her lettering business. Tell me, can't you just see this on a book or video game?

Feed Hope with Dia Calhoun

My dearest friends have been welcoming me home to Seattle in full force! Just yesterday, Dia Calhoun--she of the Mythopoeic Award for Fantasy Writing!--dropped by with a handpainted piece of work she had created just for me. I'm hanging it over my front door. Feed Hope. It is my mantra for this next year. FEED HOPE.

To feed hope to my kids and let them feel the wonder of our lives and our world and our family and our friends.

To feed hope to myself that there is a greater plan. I just have to open my eyes and my heart to see it.

(One really fun fact about Dia. She's not only an amazing, award-winning author and a co-founder of readergirlz, but she's a gifted letterer. She did the lettering for the Alaska Airlines logo! And now her art work (not just her books) graces my home. )

Today I am so thankful for each and every one of my multi-talented friends who are making my home a reflection of my heart.