Growing into a Second Act
… And introducing Kerry Nichols and our upcoming joint book events where we'll discuss not just our books but our second acts!
I’m coming off several amazing days at Lighthouse Litfest, a summer writing conference I first attended in 2019. That first summer, I was new to the literary world. I took a week-long workshop, attended craft classes, and showed up to every lunchtime business panel and evening reading event I had time for. It was exciting and overwhelming—I didn’t know anyone, didn’t speak the literary lingo, had never been to a reading, and felt incredibly out of place—but I loved every minute of it. Over the next several years, I attended Litfest and other summer writing conferences like Sewanee and Aspen Words, growing as a writer and learning how to make my way in this new literary world. This year, I attended Litfest in an entirely new way: instead of attending craft classes, I taught one. Instead of attending business panels, I was on a business panel. And most exciting of all, on opening night Ryan Warner (from Colorado Public Radio) interviewed me during a live taping for Colorado Matters in front of a packed audience. (This then aired on CPR on June 18 and you can listen here.)
Reflecting back on the transition I made from being a lawyer to being a writer, I wish I’d had the benefit of talking to people about second acts—yes, writing as a second act, but also second acts in general—because of how lost I felt when I first started. Sometimes I was scared, sometimes merely uncomfortable, and everyone in this new world but me seemed to know what they were doing. (And of course all the people who stayed in their lane of experience seemed to be chugging along happily, making me wonder if I was crazy.) That’s part of the reason I decided to focus on the idea of second acts in some of these newsletters.
… And it’s the reason I’ll be launching a new endeavor focusing on “Second Acts” with my brilliant author friend Kerry Nichols. We’re both former lawyers who left the law to focus on a second career, and we plan to initially do a few joint book events, but we’ll also be writing some joint articles. I mentioned this briefly in my last Substack, but I’d like to introduce her in detail now.
Kerry Nichols is a former attorney turned canine educator and advocate whose journey into the world of dogs began nearly fifteen years ago. With the founding of Nicholberry Goldens, she devoted herself to raising the healthiest Golden Retrievers possible. This evolved into a mission to instill emotional resilience and agency in her own puppies, a pursuit she now shares with an audience of hundreds of thousands of followers across social media. Her methods continue to garner support from leading veterinarians, trainers, and psychologists, and notable owners of her Goldens include executives from Facebook, Microsoft, and Tinder. Her Instagram page is amazing (@nicholberrygoldens) and you should absolutely give her a follow. 300,000 people can’t be wrong about how adorable her pups are—or about her wise posts. (You can find similar content on Facebook @Nicholberry Goldens.)
Her book, Puppy Brain is a national bestseller (!!!) and was just released in paperback. It focuses on how to raise a happy, healthy, and emotionally resilient dog. I wish it had existed before we welcomed Juno and Lucy to our family.
Here’s a blurb about it:
“Do you want to learn how to help your dog feel safe? Do you dream of owning a dog who enjoys meeting new people and exploring new places? Kerry Nichols, founder of Nicholberry Goldens, brings readers into the whelping box and onto the frontlines of a puppy’s developmental journey with her trademark clarity and wit. With guidance about everything from crate training to spaying and neutering, Puppy Brain distills the latest insights and breakthroughs from canine research into practical, actionable, evidence-based guidance. Through years of research into brain development and the use of intentional rearing protocols that focus on honoring a puppy’s choices and needs, Kerry has developed an approach that results in a harmonious, fulfilling relationship with our dogs rather than one steeped in rote obedience. Puppy Brain will reshape the way you think about your dog and show you how to meet your dog’s most basic needs.
With irresistible photos, clear guidance, and engaging humor, Puppy Brain reveals the best training practices based on how your dog’s mind works. As her hundreds of thousands of followers can attest, Kerry’s guidance will help you raise dogs who are confident, loving, and happy. The perfect gift for dog lovers and psychology enthusiasts alike, Puppy Brain is the definitive resource for anyone looking to raise their puppy with respect and love.”
I can’t wait to tour with Kerry — we’re a unique pairing: a nonfiction writer and a fiction writer — and we’re going to have so much fun talking to each other and to all of you! Of course we’ll discuss our books and the unexpected overlap between them, but we’ll also discuss second acts and what it’s like to start over and grow through a new career phase. Here’s our current schedule:
July 15 at 6:00pm in Santa Monica, CA at Zibby’s Bookshop. Tickets are free, and you can get them HERE.
September 14 at 3:00pm at Waterstreet Bookstore in Exeter, NH
September 15 at 7:00pm at Hummingbird Books in Boston, MA
September 18 at 6:30pm at Bedford Books in Bedford, NY
I’ll share more details on any tickets for the September events as soon as I have them.
Finally, a question for anyone interested in second acts—What particular aspects of a second act are you interested in learning more about?
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WHAT I’M READING: I have Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner and My Oceans by Christina Rivera in my backpack for the long plane ride to Spain. (When those are done, I have Barbara Kingsolver’s Demon Copperhead and Steven King’s The Shining waiting for me in my suitcase.)
WHAT I’M LISTENING TO: Deep house. It’s good for running.
WHAT I’M WATCHING: I just finished Sirens. Fun except for the rather abrupt and undeveloped ending. I’m still in the middle of Bloodline. The four siblings are so dysfunctional it boggles the mind.
WHAT I’M EATING: Tapas, bread, cheese, jamón, and wine, as soon as I land!
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AND in honor of Kerry Nichols and the wonderful way she concludes her Substacks — WHAT I’M LOVING:
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