Reflecting on last year
The year I became I published author
I am not one for arbitrary reasons to reflect or make new goals. The changing of a calendar year doesn’t have specific meaning. I think a birthday or anniversary makes more sense generally. However, 2025 was big on multiple fronts. The political landscape was a backdrop to multiple family members in and out of the ER and urgent care, torn ligaments, dementia, blood disorders, two brain tumors and a death. It has been a lot and I have been front row as a care taker for my mom who lives in a different state. I have been grateful every day for my sisters and the support we share back and forth. I am still processing all of these experiences and will for years I suspect.
2025 was also the year I became a published author. My book, The Traveling Archivist: Eastern Oregon,1 came out in March. I started with a Book Party inviting people I know who know and love me already to celebrate with cake.
I worked to get my book into libraries and bookstores by approaching them directly and then encouraging people I know to check out the book or purchase it at an independently owned store.
I tabled at the Oregon Library Association annual meeting and conference in Eugene - librarians are my people.2 My goal was to get my book into libraries all over the state.
I did several book events with my fellow debut author Connie Morgan (More Than Luck Required). We found that we do events together very well. If we can’t interest someone in our own book we can temp them with other’s book. Standing and talking to people for hours about our books and what other books they might be interested in reading or buying was made so much more enjoyable being together.
I attended two book club meetings. It was such fun to talk with people who had read the book and wanted to know more. As I have mentioned before the comment I get most is that people didn’t know how important archives were and loved learning about the archival process.
I also had my first proper reading in a bookstore. After attending the Chuckanut Writers Conference in June and talking with one of the owners of Village Books, I submitted my application to do a reading. One of my sisters lives in Bellingham and enthusiastically promoted the reading to friends, colleagues, neighbors and via posters in every place she could think of.
The final book event of the year was the Oregon Historical Society’s Holiday Cheer local author event. I made new author friends and sold lots of books. My favorite part of the event was when a person came up to me and said “I loved your book.” She had found it via a library search for books about libraries and librarians.
Each of these events ultimately were about connection. Connection with the story and with me. I know that connection is what will continue to bring all of us together as well as change the world into a place where all are welcome.
Again practice helps. Every time I read my posts aloud helps my future audiobook.
If you want to support an independent bookstore - you can find my book at these bookstores:
Autumn Leaf Bookstore 334 NE 4th, Camas, WA
Broadway Books 1714 NE Broadway, Portland, OR
Village Books & Paper Dreams 1200 11th St, Bellingham, WA
Vintage Books 6613 E Mill Plain Blvd, Vancouver, WA
White Oak Books 1700 Main St, Vancouver, WA
If you like the look of the t-shirts I am wearing in many of these photos, you can buy your own at my Shopify store: https://marybhansen.myshopify.com/
Congratulations, Mary, you did it! And you look so happy. As joyous as you appear, we know it is not easy for all the reasons you mentioned. Keep going; you are an inspiration.
Beautiful Mary! I especially love your reflections on the power of connection, as you so beautifully write, "to bring all of us together as well as change the world into a place where all are welcome." Thank you for sharing your stories of connection and the journey of bringing your book into the world so beautifully!