Fun News! ❤️

What a great week!

In addition to having fun at the Harper College Bookmarks Festival, I received wonderful feedback from poet and author, Lauren Scott, last week about my debut novel, Slivers. Even better? We’re just a few days away from the debut of Dr. Yvette Prior’s latest anthology. Read on for all the details plus a reminder of my favorite event of the year, Printers Row Lit Fest, coming up next week.

Harper College’s Bookmarks Festival

Some of you may have seen photos from the Bookmarks event on social media, posted by either by myself, or my publisher Rick Kaempfer from Eckhartz Press. Here are a few to catch you up:

It was a fantastic event with local authors and libraries on hand to visit with readers of all ages and interests. I loved spending time with two brilliant academics — former colleagues, Maggie McKinley and Jim Edstrom. Our panel discussion on writing, research and reflection was loads of fun. An hour that flew by in a blink.


Thank you, Lauren Scott!

Just a few days prior I received a gift from author and poet Lauren Scott, in the form of a review — sparkling words about Slivers. Thank you again, Lauren. For those who missed Lauren’s generous praise, you’ll find her thoughts here, in her blog post: Book Review: Slivers by Vicki Atkinson


Ready for some inspiration?

My friend and prolific author, organizer, champion of creatives, Dr. Yvette Prior, is poised to reveal her latest anthology gem. I’m privileged to be a contributor to This is How We CreateStories about Bringing Ideas to Life.

 

This Is How We Create will be available on Amazon in both Kindle and paperback editions beginning September 10, 2026.

Canada Amazon:
Kindle
Paperback

US Amazon:
Kindle
Paperback


Printers Row Lit Fest

If you’re in the Chicago area, I’d love to see you next Saturday, September 12, at Printers Row Lit Fest! I’ll be in the Chicago Writers Association tent from 10:00 am – 12:30 pm. If you’ve never been to this annual extravaganza, you’re missing out. Set in an iconic, historic neighborhood it’s a once-a-year opportunity to mix and mingle with booksellers, authors, speakers and more. It’s my favorite event of the whole year and I know you won’t want to miss it. All the details can be found on the Printers Row website, including maps, parking info and the event schedule. So good!


Thank you so much for being here and for all of the support and enthusiasm. Your comments and feedback are always a highlight for me each week. I’m truly honored to be in your good company.

Vicki 💝


Hi – I’m Victoria, Vicki, Dr. Vicki. I hold a doctorate in Adult Education and I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and author of Surviving Sue and Slivers.

Check out this link to learn more about my book Surviving Sue – all about resilience and love. Check out this link to order Slivers…a ghost story with surprising twists. Click here for the interview with my publisher, Rick Kaempfer from Eckhartz Press.



54 responses to “Fun News! ❤️”

  1. I love seeing the photos of you, Vicki. Look at all you are doing! You are fabulous, my friend.

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    1. Mary…I adore you! Thanks for being so supportive and loving! I’ve fallen horribly behind in reading here on WordPress and hope to catch up soon. Sending big hugs your way. xoxoxox! 💝💝💝

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      1. As my brother reminds me, just do the next right thing. Love you much.

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        1. Oh….your brother. So wise, so wise! Yes! And thank you for the encouraging words to trust those inner voices and lean into grace…grateful to you, Mary! 💝💝💝

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  2. Vicki 🥰 you are abundant and deserving !
    Enjoy my dear friend.xox
    PS..happy to be sitting beside you and so many other talented writers in the anthology ❤️🙏❤️

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    1. Agree! I’m so excited by the line-up, Maggie. What a privilege…I feel so honored. Love you much, my sister! 💝💝💝

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      1. Beyond blessed Vicki .🙏
        Much love to you ❤️🥰❤️
        Love your photographs too ⭐️⭐️⭐️

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        1. One day….one day…we’re gonna figure out how to make memories in person….I can see a pic in the future with both of us in it. Just a matter of ‘when’. Love you! 💝

          Liked by 1 person

          1. I second that my friend.
            Hugs and more love to you 🥰❤️

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            1. Thank you, Maggie! Hugs and jelly tots…from me and Lisa, too! 💝💝💝

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  3. Celebrating all of it! (And I just ordered Yvette’s newest anthology–with your name right at the top.)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh, Joy! I feel terrible about losing cadence this week — unable to keep up with you and what’s new. I look forward to some time to read and get filled up by your wonderful words. In the meantime,…know that I’m sending love to you and Guy, too! xoxox! 💝💝💝

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      1. Cadence? I think I’ve lost mine entirely. I just can’t keep up anymore so am hit and miss all the time. (I just read your “Soul work, Sue-style” story. So poignant.)

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        1. Joy…you fill me up. One of these days, I’m gonna get in the car and head west…scoop you up and we’ll go to the Machine Shed. A girl can dream, right? Love you for all you do…so much heartfelt encouragement. xo! 💝😘💝

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  4. Love your excited positive energy! There is lots to be happy about.

    Thank you, Vicki!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Resa! You’ve made my day. Yep…you got me. That’s the goal…happy to send some good stuff your way….with a big hug, too! ❤️💝❤️

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Happy hugs to you too!
        🌟⭐️🌟

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        1. Received – with gratitude! xo! 💝

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  5. Wonderful news, Victoria! You are so talented and skillful that it is honorable to know you. 😍

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh good grief. No — you are! I’m sad that I’ve had to step away from reading “The Valley Walker” for a bit but it’s calling me. I feel like my writer’s brain is expanding and learning as I read. Thank you, Tim. 💝💝💝

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      1. It’s wonderful that you’re reading “The Valley Walker,” Victoria! I sure hope you like it. It makes me so happy that someone as talented as you are reading my book. 😍

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        1. You’re too kind. I’m loving your book…you write action and dialogue sooooo well. Truly a pleasure. I also love how you set scenes with terrific descriptions – the characters feel very real. Kudos! 💝😊💝

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  6. Love that you’re “busy” out and about supporting Slivers. You may be tired …. But it’s fun for the rest of us. Go Vicki Go!

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    1. You are so dear. Thank you, my friend…I just feel out of touch! Hope you are doing well….lots of traveling going on and some rough weather in PA??? Did I catch that correctly? I hear news about Pennsylvania and immediately think of you and Kath….💝😊💝

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  7. That explains why Yvette hasn’t been blogging as much lately. Congrats on being asked to contribute; what an honor! I think my invite got lost in the mail…no surprise, given all the issues with the USPS these days.

    I kid, I kid. Hope you have a great Labor Day weekend, Vicki!

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    1. Haha…and yes. I don’t know how Yvette does it all. 💝And happy long weekend to you, too! I hope all is well in Fort Atkinson…we’ve had some wacky up and down weather and storms…and I see an intriguing blog post title in my feed here…looking forward to reading!
      💝💝💝

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      1. Thank you! Summer continues to summer along up here. Hot and humid, and some decent (non-severe, thankfully) thunderstorms the past couple of days.

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        1. Same here…September is feeling more like August…
          😜😎😜

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  8. Awesome, my friend! It has success written all over it. I hope to make it to the Lit Fest on Saturday and swing by your table to say hi.

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    1. Oh…that would be SO awesome! I know you love that venue as much as I do! Maybe more! 💝😜💝

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      1. Oh yes! And I’m carrying my empty bag back to fill it up with the books I’m going to buy. Well, I can’t go too crazy this year because I already have a big pile I need to read. 😆

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        1. You inspire me! I love how you read and share! Go, you! Bring a BIG bag!
          🤪❤️🤪

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          1. 😂 Thank you, my friend. 🫶🏼

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  9. Amazing!! I love, love, love seeing all the connections fostered here. Enjoy the Lit Fest!!

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  10. You must have enormous energy, Vicki. If you bottle it you will be the wealthiest writer in the planet. Good luck!

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    1. Hmmm…maybe I should share the photos of me snoozing on the sofa? Thanks for the smile! ❤️😊❤️

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  11. You have a lot of fun going on indeed, Vicki! And I’m glad my review added to the joy! Enjoy the glow and the ride. You deserve it all! And have a good weekend! xoxo

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    1. You too, dear friend! Xo! ❤️😊❤️

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  12. This is all so wonderful. I love the whole idea. We have writer’s events here at one of the local libraries, but nothing as big as this! Well, I live in a smaller area. Congratulations on the great review.

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    1. Belinda! Thank you so much…extra snuggles for Walter and Mimi! ❤️😊❤️

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  13. Nice to see all the good news, Vicki, and good luck on the 12th!

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    1. You are so dear! Thank you, Dave!
      ❤️😉❤️

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      1. You’re very welcome, Vicki! 🙂

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  14. What an inspiring update. I love the picnic basket full of your books!

    I just downloaded “This is How We Create” on my Kindle app. Looking forward to reading it.

    🤗

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    1. Michelle! You pick up on the best details! That picnic basket is my favorite tabletop display tool…thank you for noticing and thank you for your support of “This is How We Create”! ❤️😉❤️

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