Member Spotlight: Meet Judy McLaughlin
It is safe to say my journey as a writer began when I was six years old and wrote the epic short story: The Bunny and His Eggs. My passion for writing and storytelling has never wavered. I was an English major in college, grateful for a class load that required lots of reading and writing.
I self-published my first novel in 2012, making it available on Amazon Kindle. A tragic love story, it was called, "well written and complete with a charming cast of family and friends, THIS MOMENT is good for those who enjoy love stories that go further..." Kindle Book Review.
After all that sadness, I focused on writing a romantic comedy called Love, Reality Style. I was signed by a small boutique publisher, and while it was an exciting time, the experience wasn't a good one, the publisher was not easy to work with and unresponsive. While the book remains on Amazon (yes, they are that unresponsive, they won't answer my requests to take it down!) the rights have reverted back to me and I look forward to another publishing experience...perhaps even self-publishing.
Recently, I self-published a sweet and swoony Christmas romance called A Kentucky Hug for Christmas. I wrote this book in 2019 and it got so close to becoming a Hallmark-published book. After making it through three rounds of team meetings, Hallmark passed. While temporarily devastated, I moved on to write two more (unpublished) novels. In October of 2022 after a shot of inspiration, not unlike the kind I get when I am at the CoCo, I decided to self-publish Kentucky Hug. I hired a cover artist and interior text designer and made this book available on Amazon in both Kindle and paperback. This has been an exciting journey with the biggest difference between my 2012 experience and this one being Instagram and TikTok. I have become great virtual friends with a number of online bookstagrammers who have included my book among the books of Colleen Hoover and Emily Henry, to name a few. This has created many a pinch-me moment.
Every book I have written and every experience tied to it has gotten me where I am today, Ultimately I would like to sign with an agent and big publisher, but I am enjoying today's experiences immensely. The trick is to NEVER GIVE UP. And that is the best place to stop and talk about the CoCo.
The CoCo is the place to go for connection, inspiration, quiet time, celebration, reflection and did I mention, inspiration? Whether at a coffee, taking part in their Dare to Lead program, working remotely from their welcoming space, or attending a book signing, the people in the CoCo community inspire me. I exit their doors with a grateful respect for my own talents and an even bigger admiration for the talents of their community members. Each person eager to share their successes, vulnerabilities, ideas and challenges, in addition to actively listening to mine. I have been a member of the CoCo since day one, and rely on this community for help, connection, and just plain fun. What the founding members have built is both unique and an indispensable part of my life.
