When I dreamed of publishing Glow in the Dark: A Streak of Light, I never imagined the journey it would take me on—across cities, into bookstores, studios, libraries, and the glowing heart of Times Square on a billboard! My U.S. book tour has been a whirlwind of storytelling, solo flights, and starlit moments. Each stop has offered something new—a spark, a connection, a reminder that magic truly does travel.
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KRON4 News San Francisco!
I watched in awe as Glow in the Dark was featured on “Dawn’s Corner,” a lifestyle segment syndicated across major CBS and network affiliates in cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas. Hearing my book spoken about live on television for the first time felt surreal. It was a proud, humbling moment that reminded me how far this story has come—and how far it’s still going!
Watch the segment here: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1NAtxDtdXN
Reading With Your Kids Podcast (Boston)
One of the most engaging stops on my book PR tour was being interviewed by Jed Doherty on the Reading With Your Kids podcast, based in Boston. Jed’s warmth and curiosity created the perfect space to dive into the heart of Glow in the Dark: A Streak of Light—from the book’s deeper messages to the spark that started it all. It was a joy to connect with someone so passionate about children’s literature and to share the story with families and educators tuning in across the country.
Austin: Bookstores and Vortexes
Back in Austin, where so much of my writing life takes root, the book is now stocked in several favorite stores—including The Healing Vortex, a metaphysical shop that beautifully mirrors the fantasy elements of my story.
Readers all over the city have been sending in their photos with my book, which has been so positive and exciting.
Las Vegas: CBS Spring Segment
In Las Vegas, Ruby’s story made it onto a vibrant spring-themed lifestyle segment on CBS. I had the honor of seeing my book featured live in-studio—a surreal blend of television lights, blooming spring décor, and glowing pages. Seeing the story come to life in that way was unforgettable!
Readers Across The Country!
Kansas City: Barnes & Noble
Kansas City welcomed me with open arms and a warm stay at The Raphael Hotel. The team there was incredibly hospitable, and the charm of the hotel made it the perfect place to recharge before my next event. I also had the chance to do a photo shoot at Barnes & Noble, capturing a moment I used to dream about—my book on the shelves, surrounded by stories.
New York: A Times Square Dream
And then came the moment I’ll never forget.
After filming a segment with KidLit TV in Tribeca (airing in May), I walked through Times Square and saw it—my book, glowing on a billboard. In that moment, surrounded by thousands of blinking lights, Glow in the Dark was shining high above the city.
It stopped me in my tracks. It was emotional, electric, and deeply humbling. For every long night spent writing, every revision, every leap of faith—this was the dream becoming real.
New York: A Magical Stop at KidLit TV
One of the most memorable—and meaningful—stops on my book PR tour was filming a segment at the KidLit TV studio in Manhattan. It felt like the perfect fit for Glow in the Dark: A Streak of Light—a space where storytelling, creativity, and childhood wonder collide.
The segment, which will air in May, gave me the chance to talk about the inspiration behind the book and share its magical world with young readers. We ended with a hands-on STEM activity: crafting hanging prisms—suncatchers—that sparkled under the studio lights. It was a beautiful way to connect the science of light with the magic of the story.
Being there reminded me that this tour is about more than promotion—it’s about planting tiny sparks of light in the minds of kids everywhere.
Coming Home to the Soho Grand
While in NYC, I returned to the Soho Grand Hotel each night, full of gratitude and a little stunned. The nightly buzz in the bar, the familiar hum of New York, the comfort of a beautiful room—it all grounded me. I ordered a classic burger and fries most nights, sat back, and let the days sink in. It felt like coming home to myself.
Social Media & Story Sharing
As part of my social media goals for the book, I’ve asked readers to share their photos and tag them with the hashtag #AuraEmbassy on Instagram. The response has been incredible. Each image shows how far Ruby’s story is reaching—and how it’s glowing in readers’ hands. I’ve spent a great deal of time curating the book’s online channels.
I’ve also begun reviewing children’s books for The Children’s Book Review, sharing one-minute thoughts and connecting with fellow authors and families across the country. See them on my Instagram here. I continue to grow my community across Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, as well as the book’s website, where more magic is unfolding daily.
The Beauty of Solo Travel
Traveling solo for this tour has brought both adventure and clarity. Moving from city to city, staying in thoughtfully designed hotels, and finding new rhythms in unfamiliar places has shown me just how much I can hold on my own. These spaces—like Soho Grand Hotel in New York and The Raphael in Kansas—have become writing havens between the noise and the next chapter.
Milestones & Reader Praise
One of the most exciting moments on this journey has been receiving a 5-star seal from Readers’ Favorite, a trusted source in children’s literature. It’s an honor that now allows me to add official award stickers to my books—something I once only dreamed of!
The book was ranked in the top 5 for AllAuthor’s ‘Cover of the Month’ in December 2024 and has been listed on Amazon’s Top 300 for Children’s Metaphysical category. It has received wonderful reviews from readers on GoodReads and Amazon/Kindle as well as on Barnes & Noble.
The response to Glow in the Dark: A Streak of Light has been beyond anything I imagined. The book has received glowing editorial reviews—five stars from Readers’ Favorite, The Children’s Book Review USA, and Indie Reader, along with praise from Publisher’s Weekly, who awarded it an A grade for design, typography, and standout marketing copy. As a debut author, hearing that kind of feedback is surreal—and deeply encouraging.
Capturing Ruby in the Heart of Tribeca
While in New York, I carved out time for a photo shoot in Tribeca—a neighborhood that perfectly echoed the gritty, grounded spirit of Ruby Diamond, the tomboyish heroine of Glow in the Dark. With its raw textures and moody charm, it felt like the right place to capture some of the story’s bold energy in real life.
Looking Ahead
This is just the beginning. Beyond that, more cities, more stories, more starlit hotel rooms and quiet windows to write beside. To every young dreamer holding my book—I’m walking the starlit path with you. And there’s still so much more light to come!
