Today I ordered proofs of my first novel.

I haven’t actually spoken to another person today, instead I’ve been sitting in this feeling. I don’t have words to describe it. Seven years ago I started to create a thing with my dad. It was just an idea. It was this silly idea of time travel and aliens and a man who can see ghosts. There were true stories I pulled from, life and experiences. There were people who influenced me and took form on paper.

One of the biggest changes that those who know me will see is that of my last name. I’ve taken the last name Levi. No, I’m not married although someday I hope to be. I didn’t change it officially, although Miranda Levi is the name I use for my writing. Levi is also the name of my father’s best friend.

Growing up I didn’t have too many adults that were worthy of looking up to. There were more bad experience than I care to recount but Levi was always a good one. He is kind and funny. He never once made me feel less than. He never leered at me or made me feel unsafe. Levi was protective and encouraging. He is the kind of uncle or older brother figure I always wished I had. There weren’t many positive male role models in my life. Honestly, the list is so small I can count them on less than one hand. Until this moment, I didn’t realize how few there really were. But that’s not why I’m writing this.

Levi is my dad’s best friend. He influenced this novel and unknowingly impacted my life for the better. I am honored to take his name as my own. So when you follow me on Goodreads and when you buy my book in a few weeks, you’ll search Miranda Levi. In this moment, I’m proud.