Based on recent announcements from friends, 2018 is the year of the book launch. I’m happy about this latest announcement – the writing duo Lindsay Blake (friend from Omaha) and Layne Beckner of Ontario have written a fiction book called “Remember Us,” and get this – it’s based in Nebraska!

Lindsay and I go way back to The Daily Nonpareil days. Newspaper pay was so low, I knew my coworkers were there for the love of writing and not for the fame. She found a way to crank out creative stories daily for the newspaper, and captured compelling images to go with them.

The special thing about “Remember Us” is that it’s building steam through a Publishizer campaign. It’s a new-to-me process that is fascinating: The authors set a goal for pre-orders and if they hit it by the deadline, their book is queried by a set number independent publishers. Their aim right now is 250 books. Head over to Publishizer now to pre-order and support their goal!

Let’s dive into the book and then you can learn more about Lindsay and Layne in a fun Q&A. This post ends with a giveaway for an autographed copy of “Remember Us.” So, stick around!

About “Remember Us”

The story centers around the Hamiltons and commences 13 years after Bernice, formally known as Mom, walked out of their lives without a word. When 25-year-old Ben calls his twin and best friend, Reese, to tell her their father Carl has cancer, she drops everything and races back to their childhood home in Nebraska. Bernice shows up unannounced on the doorstep a few days later at 10 p.m. exactly with three suitcases, her pet chihuahua Rocky sitting high in her fuchsia purse, and mascara running down both cheeks.

She said she came to be helpful.

“Remember Us” chronicles the Hamiltons through the next three months as they begrudgingly grow reacquainted with each other, confront their past and look at the future. Ultimately, “Remember Us” is a story about family, forgiveness, and finding your way.

About the authors

Layne makes a mean batch of chocolate chip cookies from a recipe she’s had since she was 7, adores her husband, Jonathan, and loves film photography. They live in southern Ontario where they host dinner parties and drink too much wine.

Lindsay says “Layne is the bigger reader out of the two of us and knows the “industry” a lot more than I do. She is a brilliant writer and has a knack for excellence. She is the one that continues to change a word here or sentence there to make our story even stronger.”

Lindsay Blake co-authored the award-winning book, “Act Here. Love Now.” (Youth With A Mission, 2011). A former journalist and photographer for the Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil, her work has also appeared in publications including The Omaha World Herald, Family Ties Magazine, and on several blog sites. Her bachelor of arts in studio art photography and minor in communications Journalism was received from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She also received an associates of art in mass communication from the University of the Nations. Lindsay’s dream list is 100 deep. She has traveled to over 32 countries caring for others and exploring our beautiful planet. She’s jumped out of a plane, lived in a mud hut in South Sudan, nearly died from a tape worm in Pakistan, and dreams of flying to outer space. She’s shaved her head twice “just because.” Lindsay currently lives the good life in Omaha with her husband and son, Carsen Warner.

Layne says “Lindsay is passionate, bold, and amazing with the details! She’d catch things that we’d been overlooking for months. She also is amazing at the one-liners. Any (probably every) one-liner you read and love in our book is probably from her.”

Author Q&A

It’s always fun digging a little deeper about authors, don’t you think?

Q. Who are some writers or creatives who have influenced you?

Layne: “L.M. Montgomery, Charles Dickens, Carol Rifka Brunt, Paula McClain, John Steinbeck (etc.)”

Lindsay: “C.S. Lewis, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Eric Metaxas, and Jackson Pollock”

Q. What is one book that you’ve read that has stuck around with you long after you finished it?

Layne: “Tell the Wolves I’m Home”

Lindsay: “The autobiography of Martin Luther King Jr. edited by Claiborne Carson and ‘Amazing Grace’ by Eric Metals. I love autobiographies/biographies #nerd.”

Q. When you aren’t writing, what do you do in your spare time?

Layne: “I read. I go for walks. I play ultimate frisbee on Mondays and cook soup on Sundays. I keep it simple.”

Lindsay: “As a mom, small business owner, and author my spare time is limited. BUT, I love a good girls night/breakfast out with friends and a great restaurant experience. I love going to the movies, although it hardly happens anymore and I can’t even tell you what movies are showing. And I love to read.”

Win a signed copy of “Remember Us”

Book lovers: You can win an autographed copy of the new book by Layne Beckner and Lindsay Blake! It’s simple to enter. Just fill out the form below. Must be 18 or older to enter. The giveaway ends Sunday, Feb. 11, at 11:59 p.m. CST.