In a few short days, The Fragrance of Life will make its way into the world.
After months of editing, designing, proofing, revising, and anticipating, I find myself thinking less about the book itself and more about the people who have traveled this journey with me.
Writing is often a solitary endeavor. A poet spends countless hours listening, observing, remembering, and searching for the words that best capture a moment, an emotion, or a glimpse of grace. Yet books are never truly completed in solitude. They come alive when they are shared.
That is why I am especially grateful to celebrate the launch of The Fragrance of Life at Landmark Booksellers in historic downtown Franklin.
There is something comforting about an independent bookstore. The shelves hold more than books. They hold conversations, discoveries, memories, and possibilities. They remind us that stories still matter, that words still have the power to encourage, inspire, and connect us.
Landmark Booksellers
114 East Main St.
Franklin, TN 37064
Nestled in the heart of Franklin, Landmark Booksellers is a place rich with character and history, making it a fitting setting for a collection devoted to finding beauty in ordinary moments and grace in every season of life.
Those themes have guided this book from the beginning.
Within these pages are poems, personal reflections, and photographs gathered from many seasons of my life. Some were born from joy. Others emerged from loss, perseverance, faith, and hope. Together, they form a tapestry of experiences that I believe are, in many ways, universal.
As I prepare for this special afternoon, I am delighted that my friend Missy Maxwell Worton, award-winning author and CEO and Founder of Light Warrior Publishing and Light Warrior Writer Development, will join me in conversation. We will talk about the inspiration behind the book, the role of poetry in our lives, and the ways stories help us navigate both the extraordinary and the everyday.
Most of all, I look forward to meeting readers.
There is no greater gift for a writer than the opportunity to connect face-to-face with those who have been touched by her words. Whether you have followed my work for years or are discovering it for the first time, I would be honored to welcome you.
Please join us on Sunday, November 22, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Landmark Booksellers in Franklin, Tennessee.
Come browse the shelves. Join the conversation. Share in the celebration.
And perhaps leave with a book that reminds you, as it has reminded me, that even amid life's challenges and changes, there remains a fragrance of hope, gratitude, and grace.
I hope to see you there.
With gratitude,
Marlene Tidwell