When I first heard that a journalist from Atlanta published her first novel, “You go girl!” was my first reaction, as I’ve been slacking on finishing my own book. I started reading up on Colleen Oakley and her first novel “Before I Go”, then my pal from UGA’s Grady college — now editor of Eide Magazine, Tova Gelfond — invited me to attend her book party.
The event was hosted by Jenn Hobby, Kirsten Palladino, Tucker Berta, Vikki Locke, Meg Reggie, Lisa Shore and (of course) Eide Magazine. Family, friends, fellow journalists, and new fans gathered at Room & Board to celebrate “Before I Go”. Guests nibbled on JCT Kitchen snacks and sipped cocktails from Candoni Wines and Vixen Vodka.
Yours truly, Colleen Oakley, and Tova Gelfond
Turns out, Colleen and I are both graduates of UGA’s Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication, along with Tova Gelfond and one of the other hosts from the party, Tova Gelfond. It was neat to see so many other writers, editors, and UGA grads come out to celebrate one of our own. Here’s a bit more about “Before I Go”
“Twenty-seven-year-old Daisy already beat breast cancer three years ago. How can this be happening to her again? On the eve of what was supposed to be a triumphant “Cancerversary” with her husband Jack to celebrate three years of being cancer-free, Daisy suffers a devastating blow: her doctor tells her that the cancer is back, but this time it’s an aggressive stage four diagnosis. She may have as few as four months left to live. Death is a frightening prospect—but not because she’s afraid for herself. She’s terrified of what will happen to her brilliant but otherwise charmingly helpless husband when she’s no longer there to take care of him. It’s this fear that keeps her up at night, until she stumbles on the solution: she has to find him another wife. With a singular determination, Daisy scouts local parks and coffee shops and online dating sites looking for Jack’s perfect match. But the further she gets on her quest, the more she questions the sanity of her plan. As the thought of her husband with another woman becomes all too real, Daisy’s forced to decide what’s more important in the short amount of time she has left: her husband’s happiness—or her own?”
Y’all can keep up with Colleen on Facebook and Twitter. Be sure to pick up your copy of “Before I Go” on sale now.