Ania Ray

I love this moment.

It does so much for me:
Reminds me of the chapter in our lives we had our own cat
Reminds me that she remembers and is gentle around one
Reminds me that she’s bigger than her 2.5 year old body,
enough that a cat can peer in and recognize it.

I love that she’s touched Mediterranean beaches
And climbs backyard playgrounds with the same joy
That Arkansas and Spain and Morocco and Chicago
provided 6 months of growth and learning and fun.

And it all comes down to moments
Moments that remind
That teach
That make us stretch just outside our comfort zones
So we can meet eyes and connect with someone
who can show us
and we can embrace that
we both belong.

Cody’s Nana is our matriarch and a bonafide lover of books. I’m lucky that she’s read every single one of my rough drafts from the very beginning — newbie writer Ania at 24 years old with what would become The Cromwell Rules trilogy.

While visiting Nana this time around, I have distinct pleasure of reading her a chapter a day of Riley’s story (a Women’s fiction novel with romance sprinkled in).

I’ve mostly been reading her first draft work, but I stopped myself short today. I told her my critique partner gave me some tips on how to make the “meet-cute” even cuter.

So: “I gotta make this scene sexier before I read it to your grandma.”

And off we go!

I had to share this with y’all!

My contemporary fiction novel, 2626, is currently with my editor Alyse of — she’s been with me since the second book of The Cromwell Rules trilogy, so that’s a 7 year relationship built on mutual trust of vision and mastery of craft.

So when I saw this message from her, I couldn’t help but grin. I had a feeling I had a strong first draft in this story, but to be told it’s hands down my best work yet — AS a first draft!? Magical.

I am so excited for y’all to read this one.

“The Building” (2626) is the home of Chicagoans who want nothing but the best. But for the main Mr. Fix It, “Stan the Maintenance Man,” this is shift work that keeps food on his family’s table. He didn’t sign up to know about what Deb’s husband is really up to or the real reason why the tenant in 4703 is such a jerk. We learn what’s really going on behind closed doors as he weaves in and out of their lives, connecting people of all ages and stages in delightful, surprising, and memorable ways.

It’s my love letter to immigrants. To my family. To the city that raised me. To the building that always accepted me - and continues to invite me back - as one of their own.

“Mama! See!”
“You want to see?”
“Yeah!”
“Alright. Watch how Babcia makes some breakfast.”
And then there’s a pen in her hand and the focus on her face makes me feel so proud 🥹

And her posture!

That’s all. Just a moment in time. ❤️