From Inklings to a Beautiful Work

Launching the Courageous Wordsmith Collection with Nikki Kindred Halvorson's Salvaged: A Reclaimed Life

Dear Reader,

Sometimes the inklings come early, years before you know their eventual, wider context. But they persist, and you know that somehow you're living into something incredibly big.

Nikki Kindred, growing up, knew that she wanted to write a book. Her family knew it. Everyone knew that Nikki had a gift for words.

Erik Halvorson knew it, always Nikki's biggest admirer, best friends ever since they met each other early in high school, too young to date, too young to go the distance to marriage. Riding around Cedar Rapids in Erik's car, though, when Erik lured Nikki away from her homework, she shared her dream of living in an old house and rehabilitating its glory. Erik wanted that for Nikki too.

Eventually, they became a couple, bought Tara the Folk Victorian, started their long list of projects, and got married. In that order.

But this isn't a story of living happily ever after in Tara.

It's about how, six years into the long list of projects, Erik was tragically killed and Nikki somehow kept living without him, tending his memory because he was the love of her life.

Tara was already in disarray, and now Nikki was too.

I remember when Nikki's dear friend, a former-student-turned- former-colleague reached out to tell me that I should keep an eye out for Nikki. She wasn't ready for editing yet, but she would work with me someday. Because in the wake of horrible tragedy, Nikki promised herself that she would write her book. And in the wake of leaving my career, I envisioned a time when I could be the editor for real-life writers writing their life-changing books.

I spent three years working with Nikki Kindred Halvorson on Salvaged: A Reclaimed Life. I firmly believe that this book will help many more people reclaim their lives after unthinkable losses.

Tomorrow is Nikki's second wedding, to Jordan, the second love of her life, who helped bring the house project to completion.

A month from now, I'm road tripping to Iowa, where Nikki's hosting her launch party for Salvaged: A Reclaimed Life. You wouldn't believe how beautiful this book is. I can barely believe it. But I absolutely know that this book was meant to be the inaugural title in Courageous Wordsmith Collection.

Before I drive home to Minnesota the following day, we're hosting a virtual launch from Tara the Folk Victorian. Join us please? This book is absolutely one-of-a-kind. Like Nikki herself.

Entry is free. The lessons from this narrative journey are priceless.

​RSVP and mark your calendar: Sunday, August 9 at noon central on Zoom. You can also preorder from Amazon.

RSVP for the Salvaged virtual launch

Travel safely.

Love, Amy

PS—There's also still time to join us for the two remaining Summer Story-Finding Masterclasses in Courageous Wordsmith, on Tuesdays July 14 and August 4, now just $57. Join now and you'll get the special introductory rate when we open up the extended series that runs from mid September to May.

If reading about Nikki's book sparked something in you beyond simply, "I must read it," and more like, "I have a book to write too," we might be the space where you can, finally, let yourself write it.

Take a moment to ponder, but not too long. If you know you're called to write a book, might as well start writing now.

Doors close on Sunday.

I'm Amy Hallberg, author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and the IPPY Award Winning German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. I'm also a podcaster, editor, and writing mentor. Contrary to the address below, I'm a lifelong Minnesotan in the Twin Cities.

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