Wendy Wax to Talk 'Just Beachy' in Sandy Springs With Colleen Oakley

Readers heading off for sand, surf and sun vacations have long known to pack Wendy Wax’s seaside stories. The author, who was born and raised in Florida and moved back in 2022 after decades in Atlanta, has the word “beach” in the title of six of her 17 novels and two novellas, and numerous others feature beaches on the cover and/or as the setting.

Fittingly, “Just Beachy” is the author’s 18th release. Wax will return to Georgia for the book’s Roswell launch June 7 and a series of additional appearances around the metro area, including in Sandy Springs on June 9.

The new novel’s name aside, however, Wax’s books are far more than “beach reads.”

“My protagonists are primarily female,” the USA Today bestselling author explained, “and I write journeys of self-discovery and the bonds of friendship that get us through the toughest times. I deal with serious subjects. I just believe that Mary Poppins had it right. A spoonful of humor helps the harsh realities go down.”

Wax first hit on that winning formula for contemporary women’s fiction in the early 2000s. After graduating from the University of Georgia and following a broadcasting career as a television writer, producer and on-camera talent, she was at home with a newborn and a 2-year-old when she decided to write a novel.

“I chalk that up to post-pregnancy hormones and lack of sleep,” Wax joked. “I didn't realize how hard it would be, but I needed something creative to focus on in the midst of changing diapers and cleaning up messes.”

And focus she did. Between 2003-10, she published six titles. Then she penned “Ten Beach Road,” which led to six more books in the series and five additional standalone novels.

Summing up her secret to such a steady output, Wax said, “I believe the most important thing is to put your rear end in the chair and make yourself write. Of course, this is harder than it sounds. In fact, I once alphabetized my pantry in order not to write.

“Writers have imaginations and can come up with all kinds of excuses not to write,” she continued. “However, when you have a deadline, you have to learn to write even when you're not in the mood or don't feel creative.”

As something of a thank-you for that diligence, metro Atlanta is rolling out the red carpet for “Just Beachy” at four free events.

The book launches June 7 with a 2 p.m. afternoon tea in Roswell. Hosted by Atlanta Authors at the Roswell Adult Recreation Center, 830 Grimes Bridge Road, Wax will be in conversation with New York Times bestseller Karen White

“It'll be fun to share a 'stage' with Karen,” she said. “We've been friends and critique partners for a very long time.”

Then, on June 9 at 11 a.m., Wax will be in conversation with Lo Patrick at Dahlonega’s Lumpkin County Library, 56 Mechanicsville Road. That same day at 6 p.m., Friends of the Sandy Springs Library will host Wax with Colleen Oakley at the Sandy Springs Library, 395 Mount Vernon Highway Northeast. Finally, the author will wrap up her Atlanta-area appearances on June 10 with a 6 p.m. presentation at the Newnan Carnegie Library, 1 Lagrange St., Newnan.

Once her book tour ends, Wax knows just how she'll celebrate: By beginning her next sand-filled fiction.

“'Just Beachy' revolves around Sydney Ryan, a character first introduced in the Ten Beach Road series,” she explained. “She's an actress who played a police detective for so long that, when she's dropped from the show and heads down to Florida to spend time with her grandmother (and the ladies of Ten Beach Road), everyone expects her to be able to solve crimes.”

As she said, “I'd love to give Sydney a series of her own.”

Hear more about Wax's current book and future plans during her Georgia launch week. For more information, call 770-509-5611 and reserve seats at any of the four nearby events by clicking on links here.