Lizzie Lilac and the Left Socks Launch

Yes, it's true. I've launched a new book into the world. If you missed the amazing launch party we had online Monday night, I'm sorry. I wish everyone could have been there. It was a blast and the comments and feedback about the book were outstanding. Silverbow Promotions put together the launch and we had prizes like 2 limited edition Lizzie Lilac dolls and one very cute troll statue. I made the dolls myself but I can't take credit for the statue. The incredible Deirdra Eden found a sculptor willing to donate him for our cause.

Launching this particular children's book in October is not coincidental. You may be asking yourself what it has to do with Halloween. Well, nothing. But October is also Breast Cancer Awareness month and this book has deep roots in the cause. In fact it was inspired in part by a friend's struggle with the disease.

Some of you may remember my friend Becky. She was diagnosed with breast cancer back in 2011, just after my first novel was published and just before I received my first royalty check for said novel. Becky's particular cancer was aggressive, so the doctors acted quickly. Just two days after her diagnosis she was in surgery. Two days. She didn't even have time to come to terms with any of it, to process it. Then she's under the knife. I felt for her, our daughters are friends, I wanted to do something.

So I donated all my book royalties to the family to help them with the practical expenses related to fighting cancer. As a friend I helped in any way I could. But still I wanted to do more. While talking about that desire with my daughter, we came up with the concept of the Lizzie Lilac book. Originally it was going to be Lizzie Blue (because Becky's daughter's favorite color was blue), but we found the alliteration to be more fun with Lizzie Lilac.

I've had so much help with this book. No kidding. Breast cancer is one of those things that motivates us. It moves us emotionally. If you haven't been personally affected by the disease you have a family member, close friend, or even colleague who has. Lizzie Lilac and the Left Socks has a mission.

The back text reads, in part:

Author’s note: A few years ago, K.C. Rose and I got some devastating news: a sweet friend and mother had an extremely aggressive form of breast cancer. Since I had just launched my first novel into the world, I decided to donate all my royalties for a period of months to the family to help them fight this horrible invader. But it wasn’t enough—we knew we could do more. That’s where the concept of the Lizzie Lilac book was born. This book is not only dedicated to our friend (who is now cancer free!!) and her family, but also to all the families who struggle with this disease. K.C. and I make no profit from sharing this story—everything we raise will go to the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Utah to help them help others.

Thank you for being part of our fight. ~Cheri Chesley

Huntsman's took great care of Becky during her treatments, so that's where the donations are going. I don't make any money off this book. I never will. If Huntsman's turns away our donations after a while I'll donate the royalties to another cancer fighting organization. Or to families directly. I have friends who have donated editing services, promotion services, and even prizes to see this book make a successful launch out into the world. And hopefully change lives. 

Right now we're in the blog tour phase of the launch. The tour starts with  Cupcakes and Books and runs through October 25th. There's a free signed copy of Lizzie Lilac and a $50 Amazon gift card up for grabs, so please check it out.

To pick up your own copy of Lizzie Lilac and the Left Socks, click HERE. You can also read it's reviews, which if I may say are pretty favorable.

And now I'm going to share my favorite illustration from the book. Enjoy!