Storytelling. It’s what I’ve always done. Ask my mom. She loves telling people how when I was two, at the grocery store, some woman looked at me and asked her, “Does she ever stop talking?” and my mom smiled and said, “Only when she’s sleeping.” Thankfully, my mom, Lao Schaler, and my bonus mom, Kathy Bezold, encouraged my storytelling and are still the first to read everything I write. Knowing I always have their unconditional support is everything.
When I wrote my original TV movie Christmas Camp, inspired by my Travel Therapy TV series, I created to showcase unique and inspiring travel experiences, I fell in love with the characters. I wanted to share more of their story, and knew the best way to do that was in books. This movie-to-book crossover wouldn’t have been possible without three people who all took a chance and believed in my vision, starting with my entertainment attorney, Neville Johnson, my champion for helping me transcend the way things are “usually” done.
My next gladiator is Foundry Literary + Media agent Jessica Regel, who fearlessly took on this project, despite the huge roadblocks we faced with traditional publishing deadlines. Her yes gave me a chance.
My next yes, from executive editor May Chen at HarperCollins, changed everything. With Liate Stehlik and Jennifer Hart, May not only understood my vision but also embraced it, welcoming me into the publishing family. This incredible team, including associate editor Elle Keck, copy editor Martin Karlow, Amelia Wood in marketing, publicist Pamela Spengler Jaffee, and art director Elsie Lyons, who created our magical book cover, has truly made Christmas Camp an inspiring and empowering publishing experience. I feel grateful and blessed to be part of this new amazing “family.”
It takes a village, and mine also includes my treasured friend Heather Mikesell, who did a fantastic job copyediting my first draft quickly so I could make my tight deadline and Denise Seomin at the Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Resort, for believing in and embracing the Christmas Camp concept. I’m also thankful to Greta, Samuel, Denise, Lee, Lorianne, Lisa, Delia, Clint, Amy, Tim, and Jeryl for their loyal friendship and support, and to my family, including my dad, Harry; my grandpa Harry; Betty, Jon, David, Margaret, Deb, Wynn, John, and Nathan, who are always cheering me on.
I also want to thank and honor my stepdad, John Bezold, my grandma Irene, and grandpa Walt. When I look up at the sky at night and see the stars, I always think of you.
And finally, my inspiration for all that I do is my happy and healthy 103-year-old grandma, Patricia Crane, who reads a book every day.
The journey continues . . .