Order your copy of PRACTICING NORMAL now!
Practicing Normal released June 6, 2017!
Practicing Normal is available in paperback and audiobook wherever books are sold, however the e-version will be available exclusively through Amazon for the first year of publication. Praise for Practicing Normal: Does facing the truth beat living a lie? In Practicing Normal, Cara Sue Achterberg has given us a smart story that is both a window and a mirror, about the extraordinary pain - and the occasional gifts - of an ordinary life. - Jacquelyn Mitchard, NYT bestselling author of The Deep End of the Ocean Practicing Normal takes a deep dive into the dysfunctional dynamics of a 'picture perfect' family. A compelling story about the beautiful humaity in the most ordinary of lives; from first love to a marriage on the downward slide ot an unexpected family tragedy. Achterberg handles each thread with tender care and can't help but root for every member of the Turner family. - Kate Moretti, NYT bestselling author of The Vanishing Year What does it really mean to have a normal life? Achterberg's stunning new novel explores how a family can fractcure just trying to survive, and how what makes us different is also what can make us most divine. - Caroline Leavitt, author of NYT bestsellers, Pictures of You and Is This Tomorrow The Latest...Want a glimpse into my writing story? Read my guest post of Amy Rivers' blog What's Your Story.
Here's a recent interview with a top-rate book blogger - she even features some of my foster pups! You can read weekly excerpts of my writing journey (with occasional writing advice) on my blog, My Life in Paragraphs. Be sure to subscribe by email for the latest posts. 
Girls' Weekend has been released in audio form (with a new cover) narrated by Xe Sands! 
itunes named Girls' Weekend to their New & Notable List!
Plus, it spent eight days on the topselling ibooks list - not too shabby. It's still gathering five star reviews on Amazon and goodreads, which makes a girl smile. I'd love to hear what you think and am grateful for every review - no matter how many stars you toss at it! Me? On TV?Yup! Check out my interview about Girls' Weekend with Harrisburg's abc station channel 27
Click here to see my favorite review for Girls' Weekend!
Or Click here to read a fun guest post about the inspiration for Girls' Weekend. Or Click here for a fun "Would You Rather..." interview. And here's a lovely review written by another women's fiction author. More Writing NewsCan Moms write about sex? Here's my guest post at Literary Mama on this very topic.
Here's my guest post on Kind Over Matter. It's the story of my youngest son and a foster puppy raised on kindness. Fun interview on a fabulous Book Blog that features women's fiction. Beyond excited to be featured on the esteemed site, Women Writers, Women's Books. Here's my best advice to writers. Author's First the Virtual Writers' Conference includes my lesson on Making Your Character's Problems Personal. Here's my piece on what it means to be a real writer: Be Brave, Be Honest, Be a Writer. My essay, titled Setting Free the Horses, was recently published on a wonderful site called, Only A Season. My guest post about becoming a famous author can be found on the incomparable Audry Fryer's website Here's another session for Authors First, the virtual Writers' Conference! Read it here. 
After being chosen as a Daily Find on Barnes & Noble's Nook, I'm Not Her climbed to #2 on the Nook Bestsellers list! Plus, I'm Not Her was named to Kobo's Page Turners list! It was recently featured as a "fresh new read" in their subscriber newsletter! I’m Not Her was also chosen as a best new fiction pick by ibooks and made their top 100 ibooks bestseller list for fiction and literature!
More Places You'll Find My Writing....My essays entitled Third Times the Charm and Life on a Stage were featured in the excellent online literary journal of womens writing, Her View From Home.
On the Safe Side of Fate, was published on the esteemed online journal, Soapbox Writers. You can read the story of our very special foster dog from Iraq which was published in the York Daily Record. 
Momma Bear was rescued from Iraq through the work of Nowzad and OPH
Want to know how I finally got my publishing deal? It took a lot of pasta. Read this.
Super excited to announce that my book, Live Intentionally, was chosen as first runner up in the How-To category at the Green Book Festival! Chicken Soup for the Soul: Think Possible, was published October 6 and includes my story - Fairytale Life! Look for it in bookstores today or click here. Another guest post for the outstanding site, Mamalode (not to be confused with my own darling blog, The Mama Load!). I get paid by the clicks for this post, so do me a favor and check it out! Apparently, we are York County's version of a Modern Family. Read my profile piece in Central Penn Parent! 
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Sign up for my newsletter! (I give something away in every issue!)Who am I, you ask?
I am an irrepressible writer, a tired mom, a lazy gardener, a resentful chauffeur, a loyal friend, a daily dreamer, a terrible dog trainer, and an occasional cowgirl. I'm also a compulsive blogger, an almost famous novelist, and a huge fan of teenagers writing. I will talk your ear off about processed food, growing tomatoes, training horses, Virginia wine, or the dog I'm currently fostering. If you ask about my kids, prepare to be bombarded with how FANTASTIC and AMAZING they are. If you follow me on Facebook or twitter or instagram you'll be treated to near daily doses of my thoughts, adventures, and animal photos. Links to all my social media ramblings are below. I'd be honored if you followed me anywhere....
Current Foster Dogs:
Meet Gala - she is a two-year-old, forty-five pound love bug with plenty of energy. She'd make a great running buddy or agility dog. She has an enormous heart and an endless supply of energy. Read about her on my Another Good Dog blog. Never a dull moment with Gala in the house!
Love dogs? Check out my blog, Another Good Dog
Another Good Dog now has over 3400 followers! What? You aren't following? Get on it! You're missing EVERYTHING! How'd you like to be one of my cronies?I'm always looking for people who'd like to be on my street team to help me promote my books. You get some great rewards and I promise it'll be fun! If you're interested, shoot me an e-mail or read all about it in my last newsletter!
Where Can You Find Me? This is a pic of me and Clifford at last year's York Book Expo. Don't miss the fun this year!
I'm looking for opportunities to get out! I'm available to meet with book clubs (in person or via skype), lead workshops on writing and/or publishing, or teach creative writing. I'm also happy to talk about creating an organic life, and of course I'd love to do a book signing! Just give me a shout at carasueachterberg@gmail.com to get your group on my calendar!
I've got book club visits scheduled to Arcata, CA, and York, PA in August and September, but there's still time for a few more. In October, I'll be teaching a 7-week Creative Writing course for the Adult Education program of Southern York School District. More information to come! I'm excited to announce I've been selected to participate in the Williamsburg Book Festival on October 7. You can also find me at the York Book Expo on October 21. 
My indie-published book, Live Intentionally challenges readers to live their happiest, healthiest life! Find more information by following this link or buy it now through Amazon!
Nice review from a star blogger for Live Intentionally! Triple dog walk....
Triple Dog Pile-up....
We foster dogs with a non-profit network of foster homes in Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania called Operation Paws for Homes. They transport dogs from high-kill shelters in the south to foster homes from which they can be adopted into families who will care for them. Every new dog we welcome to our home is a new adventure and I blog about all of them. If you'd like to get involved as a foster home, volunteer, or donor, contact OPHRescue.org! My blog, Another Good Dog, shares stories of my family's experiences fostering.
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Here's a video of my clever horse, True, squirting me and then himself with a hose.
