Words can’t quite capture the feeling of finally standing in the place you’ve dreamed about for so long. It’s overwhelming at times—to realize I no longer have to imagine what it would be like to be an author attending events, because that’s exactly who I am now. An author. Attending events.

It’s the same feeling I had when I graduated university. The same one I felt boarding a plane to South Korea to fulfil my childhood dream of living abroad. And now, I get to live this new dream… every single day, for as long as I keep pouring my energy into it.

The Tales & Treasures Book & Craft Fair was created by the lovely Kristy, who’s building a bridge between the bookish and creative community here in London, Ontario. It was a cozy and heartwarming event, and I feel so lucky that it was my very first one.

No one really prepares you for the questions, the attention, the buzz of being on the other side of the booth. But because this was a smaller, more intimate gathering, I had space to find my footing and recenter myself when needed. I’m an extrovert, but I get overstimulated easily, so that balance meant everything.

What did I learn? That I need to believe in myself more. People do care about what I’m saying, where I’m going, and what I’ll do next. I need to trust in the power of this community, and come prepared to truly connect.