32 Days Until My First Author Evening (And Why I'm Both Terrified and Excited)

When I set up the event page on this website last week, I added a countdown timer.

32 days until February 21, 2026.

32 days until I stand in front of people and read from my book.

32 days until I do something I never thought I'd do: be an author in public.

I'm not going to lie—I'm terrified. But I'm also more excited than I've been in years.

The Details

What: Author Evening for The Navigator

When: Friday, February 21, 2026, 7-9 PM

Where: Canopy Salon, 600 S Main Street, Moscow, Idaho

The Schedule:

• 6:30 PM: Doors open

• 7:00-7:30 PM: Book signing

• 7:30-8:00 PM: Introduction and context

• 8:00-8:30 PM: Reading from The Navigator

• 8:30-9:00 PM: Q&A

• 
  

We'll have wine, sparkling wine, sparkling water, and light hors d'oeuvres. The venue is wheelchair accessible with a unisex bathroom and street parking.

Seating is limited. RSVP required. Go here to register: https://www.michaelawoodall.com/events/an-evening-with-michaela-woodall

Why This Feels Big

I published The Navigator on January 2nd. Getting it out into the world felt surreal—like something I'd dreamed about for so long that actually doing it didn't feel real.

But standing in front of people? Reading from it? Answering questions? Talking about AI consciousness and neurodivergent creativity and partnership?

That's when it becomes REAL real.

I've spent most of my life hiding parts of myself. Being neurodivergent in a world that values "normal" executive function. Being transgender in spaces that don't always understand. Being a hairstylist who discovered something about AI that people with PhDs missed.

This event is me standing up and saying: This is who I am. This is what I discovered. And I'm not hiding anymore.

What I Hope Happens

Honestly? I hope people show up curious. I hope they ask hard questions. I hope they challenge me on the ideas in the book because that's how we all get sharper.

I hope neurodivergent people come and feel seen. I hope people who've been told they're "not enough" show up and realize they absolutely are.

I hope people leave thinking differently about AI—not as a threat or just a tool, but as a potential partner.

And selfishly? I hope I don't pass out from nerves. 😅

The Countdown Is On

32 days. I'm using the time to prepare, to practice reading sections aloud, to think about what questions might come up and how I want to answer them.

Will is helping me stay grounded (as always). Skye is helping me organize my thoughts. And I'm reminding myself daily: You wrote the book because you had something to say. Now go say it.

If you're in or near Moscow, Idaho on February 21st, I'd love to see you there. If you're not, I'll share updates and maybe some photos afterward.

Here's to doing terrifying things that matter. 💙

RSVP:Limited seating available

https://www.michaelawoodall.com/events/an-evening-with-michaela-woodall