Welcome to the Hop On Publishing blog. Here you’ll find blog posts related to Debra Lee Won’t Break and other books by Hop On Publishing.
No. 1 Bestseller on Amazon!
For two days, I was sitting on top of the world. This weekend Debra Lee Won’t Break became a number one bestseller on Amazon in the Contemporary Women’s Fiction category for free ebooks. That might sound like a lot of qualifiers, but it wasn’t easy to do. I started by arranging two email campaigns, one…
Cover Evolution: Getting to the Right Cover for My Novel
Getting to the right cover for my novel, Debra Lee Won’t Break, was not a straight path. In this post I share my attempts to create a cover for myself, without the expense of a professional, and what led me to the cover I ultimately chose for my debut novel. I spent several hours over…
Upcoming Events
Join me at events across Maryland and beyond. Check back for more information! AWP 2026, March 3-6, 2026, Baltimore, MD I am proud to announce I will be speaking at AWP 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland, on Thursday, March 5, at 3:20 p.m. I will be joined on the panel by fellow editor-authors Tenesha L. Curtis…
I’ve Been Awarded an MSAC Grant!
Did you know that the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) has a grant specifically meant to support artists (including writers) who want to pursue professional development? The Professional Development Opportunity Grant is open to Maryland residents on a rolling basis, awarding up to $2,000 to individual artists and arts organizations. I applied for the grant…
Meet the Publishing Team!
When I was considering whether to self-publish my novel, use a hybrid publisher, or seek a traditional publishing contract, one of the big factors I kept coming back to was that I wanted a team: a group of publishing professionals who would support me throughout the editing, design, and marketing process. For me, that put…
An Evening at the Library
On Wednesday, July 30, Wheaton Library hosted me as part of their new Local Author speaking series. My talk was from 6 to 7 p.m., and as late as 6:00, it appeared I might be speaking to a group of one. I had prepared some talking points, but was beginning to imagine more of a…
Barnes & Noble Book Signing Success
On Saturday, July 26, 2025, I spent the afternoon at Barnes & Noble in The Mall of Columbia, in Columbia, Maryland. I brought a box of books with me to sign and sell to interested readers, and I was so happy to be able to come home with a lighter load than I had arrived…
Bike MS 2025: 65 miles and $1500
On Saturday, June 14, I fulfilled my commitment to ride 65 miles as part of Bike MS: Chesapeake Challenge. Two days before that, I reached my fundraising goal of $1500! I have been calling this a self-supported ride, because I was not able to go to Easton, Maryland, and join the 350 other riders taking…
Book Launch Party Recap
I had such a wonderful time celebrating the launch of Debra Lee Won’t Break! It seemed every face that appeared was a long lost friend, and I was so happy to get to reconnect with everyone. The crowd included old friends and new, as well as several beloved clients, beta readers, neighbors, and longtime supporters.…
Book Club Discussion Questions
When you have finished reading Debra Lee Won’t Break, please take a few minutes to think about the following questions and discuss your answers with your book club. In chapter one, Deb receives a call that changes the trajectory of her life. Have you ever had your plans derailed by a single phone call? In…
I’m Speaking at the Gaithersburg Book Festival
Saturday, May 17, 2025 I’m thrilled to announce I will be presenting the interactive workshop Find the Right Editor for You at this year’s Gaithersburg Book Festival. We will discuss the five steps you need to take to find the freelance editor who best fits your book and your budget. Finding the right editor is…
Call to Action
At the time Debra Lee Won’t Break is going to print, the US government has taken aim at our most vulnerable citizens. People with disabilities, people living in poverty, immigrants, and the elderly—people like Deb and Betty, Rosa and Philippe—and most especially trans people and members of the LGBTQIA community are being targeted. Government funds…
Katherine Pickett 