Dear Readers,
I am so sad to announce that I will no longer be attending RARE Florence in Sept 2023.
I am incredibly disappointed to miss out on this event, meeting awesome readers, and seeing Italy for my very first time.
I wasn’t sure how much I wanted to share about the reasons, but to avoid confusion or frustration with me, I decided it’s best to share a bit. Multiple people in my family, including one of my children, are suffering with severe mental illness at this time, and need me here and helping on a daily basis. This has been an escalating struggle for the last few months. My family will always come first, and I need to be home with them.
For those wondering…I WILL still be attending RARE London in July 2023.
I strongly debated also canceling attending that event. However, a friend is going with me to London, and with everything we’ve already booked (I had yet to reserve more than the hotel for Florence), both she and I would lose money. My husband agreed that he can handle things with our parents’ help for the time I’m away in July, but I just can’t justify putting him in that position again only a few months later.
It is my great hope that things will be much more stable, healthier, and happier here in Owen Family Land by the fall, but I can’t guarantee it. So to me, the most responsible step to take is to cancel now.
I very much hope you understand, and please know that no one is more disappointed than I am.
xoxo, Abigail
P.S. RARE Florence Readers: I am more than happy to mail you a signed book plate if you would like one. Just email me at author@abigailowen.com with your mailing address.
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