{"id":6185,"date":"2026-01-09T20:35:14","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T20:35:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/2025\/03\/25\/write-of-passage-celebrate-without-a-round-to-it\/"},"modified":"2026-01-09T20:35:14","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T20:35:14","slug":"write-of-passage-celebrate-without-a-round-to-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/2026\/01\/09\/write-of-passage-celebrate-without-a-round-to-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Write of Passage: Celebrate Without a &#8220;Round To It&#8221;"},"content":{"rendered":"<!--[if lt IE 9]><script>document.createElement('audio');<\/script><![endif]-->\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-6185-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/api.substack.com\/feed\/podcast\/159820000\/d053bdd203004d40ae276a759bc452d5.mp3?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/api.substack.com\/feed\/podcast\/159820000\/d053bdd203004d40ae276a759bc452d5.mp3\">https:\/\/api.substack.com\/feed\/podcast\/159820000\/d053bdd203004d40ae276a759bc452d5.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p>My mother was the first female entrepreneur I ever met. She started selling baked goods during tax season while my father prepared income taxes for clients in our home. I distinctly remember her brownies\u2014one of my favorite treats\u2014being sold right on our porch to delighted customers. But my mother wasn\u2019t just an entrepreneur; she was a serial entrepreneur. She took that experience and built a bookstore\u2014Goldenrod Christian Bookstore\u2014in the booming metropolis of Aiken, South Carolina. And for those familiar with Aiken, you\u2019ll catch the joke in that description.<\/p><div id=\"vanes-3387669321\" class=\"vanes-content vanes-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 2px;margin-right: 2px;margin-bottom: 2px;margin-left: 2px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/fireswordandsea.htm\" aria-label=\"Fire Sword &amp; Sea\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/FireSwordSea_HC-scaled.jpg?fit=1706%2C2560&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Fire Sword &amp; Sea\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/FireSwordSea_HC-scaled.jpg?w=1706&ssl=1 1706w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/FireSwordSea_HC-scaled.jpg?resize=200%2C300&ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/FireSwordSea_HC-scaled.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&ssl=1 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/FireSwordSea_HC-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1152&ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/FireSwordSea_HC-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C1536&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/FireSwordSea_HC-scaled.jpg?resize=1365%2C2048&ssl=1 1365w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/FireSwordSea_HC-scaled.jpg?w=1280&ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" width=\"569\" height=\"853\"   \/><\/a><\/div>\n<p><em>Midnight Release Party of A Wager at Midnight at The Book Worm Bookstore<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p>A love of books has always been deeply ingrained in my family, which made it all the more distressing when larger businesses noticed the niche my mother had carved out. Since there wasn\u2019t another Christian bookstore for miles, these businesses began selling Bibles and offering similar services, cutting into her business. I suppose at any stage of success, there will always be competition, challenges, and obstacles that try to stop you. You just never know what each day will bring.<\/p>\n<p>One of my fondest memories of Goldenrod was an item my mother kept by the register\u2014a small, round coin. Some were blue, others red, and each had the words &#8220;To It&#8221; stamped on the top. It didn\u2019t make sense to me at first. When I asked her about it, she gave me that knowing smile and said, &#8220;This is for everyone who delays their dreams, thinking they\u2019ll get around to it.&#8221; Then she placed the coin in my hand and said, &#8220;See? Now you have a round to it. So go after what you want.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The idea of &#8220;a round to it&#8221; is a powerful concept. It represents the ultimate form of procrastination\u2014the assumption that we will always have another moment, another chance. But nothing in life is promised. We shouldn\u2019t make plans assuming X, Y, or Z will happen down the line, nor should we sit still waiting for the perfect moment.<\/p>\n<p>By the time you hear this podcast, I will have released my 26th book into the world, <em>A Wager at Midnight.<\/em> I will also, in all likelihood, be very tired because we celebrated with a midnight release party. (Side note: I probably should\u2019ve named it <em>A Wager at 10 PM<\/em>\u2014then I could have gotten a full night\u2019s sleep! But I digress.)<\/p>\n<p>The event was an incredible opportunity to celebrate this book, an indie bookstore that I love, and the readers who believe in my voice and mission\u2014supporting women, female entrepreneurs, and female authors. Because despite what anyone may tell you, being an author is a business. Our product is our words, codified in a book. We have to market, advertise, reach new customers, and most importantly, appreciate every reader\u2014whether they pick up a book from a library, buy it from a bookstore, or listen to it through headphones. Every reader is a valued customer.<\/p>\n<p>At the midnight party, we celebrated in style. The menu featured chimichurri sauce with a range of crudit\u00e9 vegetables, Megan Sussex\u2019s lemon honey olive oil cake with cream cheese frosting, baked donuts with chocolate ganache and floral sprinkles, holiday meatballs, and an array of cheeses\u2014including a particularly tipsy drunk goat cheese. There was plenty of food, and even greater joy in watching people savor what had been created with love and care. Perhaps I\u2019m a serial pleaser because I want people to enjoy my words, but if I throw a party, I want them to enjoy the food, too.<\/p>\n<p>So consider this message your <em>round to it.<\/em> Wear that outfit you\u2019ve been saving for a special day. Take the trip you\u2019ve been thinking about. Start the business that\u2019s been living in your head, even if the present situation feels uncertain. Celebrate everything\u2014whether it\u2019s a major victory or simply the fact that you\u2019re still in the game.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/wageratmidnight\">More about A Wager at Midnight<\/a><\/p>\n<p>And as we celebrate book number 26, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/p\/books\/a-wager-at-midnight-vanessa-riley\/21582649?aid=1521&#038;ean=9781420154863&#038;listref=pre-order-these-must-haves\">A Wager at Midnight<\/a>\u2014Stephen and Scarlett\u2019s story\u2014we honor a narrative that intertwines a fight against the blood disease sickle cell anemia with a love story between a Duke and a Viscountess, who place a wager that will be settled at the end of A Wager at Midnight. At its heart, this book is about two people devoted to medicine and helping others, yet unsure if they can have both love and their dreams. But luckily, Stephen and Scarlett get a <em>round to it.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Books that can help bolster the celebration now mindset:<\/em><\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/p\/books\/don-t-settle-for-safe-embracing-the-uncomfortable-to-become-unstoppable-sarah-jakes-roberts\/9332703?ean=9780718096359&#038;next=t\"><strong>Don&#8217;t Settle for Safe by Sarah Jakes Roberts<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 Encourages stepping out of fear and into purpose.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/p\/books\/the-light-we-carry-overcoming-in-uncertain-times-michelle-obama\/18603204?ean=9780593237489&#038;next=t\"><strong>The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 Encourages resilience, taking action, and finding joy even in difficult times.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/p\/books\/the-5-second-rule-transform-your-life-work-and-confidence-with-everyday-courage-mel-robbins\/7466725?ean=9781682612385&#038;next=t\"><strong>The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 Teaches a simple technique to stop procrastination and take immediate action.<\/p>\n<p>So celebrate today. Party today. Because nothing is promised, and you deserve your flowers\u2014or your holiday meatballs\u2014even if it isn\u2019t an official holiday. You deserve a celebration.<\/p>\n<p>Show notes include a list of the books mentioned in this broadcast. This week, I&#8217;m highlighting \u201cThe Book Worm Bookstore\u201d through <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/shop\/bookpeople\">Bookshop.org<\/a>. You can find my notes on Substack or on my website, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vanessariley.com\/\">VanessaRiley.com<\/a> under the podcast link in the About tab.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Thank you for listening. Hopefully, you\u2019ll come again. This is Vanessa Riley.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This is a public episode. If you&#8217;d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href=\"https:\/\/vanessariley.substack.com\/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#038;utm_campaign=CTA_2\">vanessariley.substack.com\/subscribe<\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"rop\"><small>Originally posted 2025-03-25 13:10:00. <\/small><\/p><div id=\"vanes-3734918109\" class=\"vanes-after-content vanes-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 3px;margin-right: 3px;margin-bottom: 3px;margin-left: 3px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SubstackAd.png?fit=1080%2C1350&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Listen to the Write of Passage Weekly Podcast\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SubstackAd.png?w=1080&ssl=1 1080w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SubstackAd.png?resize=240%2C300&ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SubstackAd.png?resize=819%2C1024&ssl=1 819w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SubstackAd.png?resize=768%2C960&ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" width=\"540\" height=\"675\"   \/><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>My mother was the first female entrepreneur I ever met. She started selling baked goods during tax season while my father prepared income taxes for clients in our home. I distinctly remember her brownies\u2014one of my favorite treats\u2014being sold right on our porch to delighted customers. But my mother wasn\u2019t just an entrepreneur; she was [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6215,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[81,793,9,620,756,694],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6185","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-personal-stories","category-politics","category-recommended-reading","category-syndication","category-technology","category-tv-and-film"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/251f26adf71d4dbf3d68587378cbe28c-scaled.jpg?fit=1920%2C2560&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6185","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6185"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6185\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6215"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6185"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6185"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6185"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}