TOOTING MY OWN HORN!

A week ago I received boxes full of my book, Soldiers From the Mist.  I am quickly learning that writing the novel was the easy part.  Now, the real work begins:  promoting and selling. 

I’m proud to say, that I have sold over half of the first batch.  My books have flown through the universe to as far away as New York and as nearby as Oklahoma.  Not bad.   I’ve talked to local bookstores and merchants and am lining up book signings.  (see the events page).  There are conferences on the horizon as well.  

The reviews have been great.

Cheryl’s enthusiasm matched mine.  “I am so impressed!  The characters are so real.  You’re another James Patterson or Nora Roberts.”

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From Linda:  “Great read.  I want more.  What happens to the Lieutenant’s family?  To Emmie’s mother?  What is Henrietta’s  story?”   (Music to my ears.  Always leave them wanting more.)

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Lanita said, “I love it!  Can hardly put it down.  Makes you feel like you’re right there with the person. Please tell me you have another one in progress.
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Tom wrote: “Nice twist that’s different and surprising.”

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 Marge's comment was: "It engaged my emotions from the beginning, sometimes so much I'd
have to put the book down."
       
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But my all time favorite (for now) came from fellow author and friend, Big Foot Pam:  “You bitch!  I was up all night reading.  Girl you can write!  Awesome read.”

Keep those cards and letters coming in, folks!   AND ORDERS!

GO TO PRESS!!!

Last week I uttered the three most beautiful words a writer can say to his publisher:  “Go to Press!”

All the years in the making, sweating over point-of-view, internalization, and sense of place.  Hours of time pouring over each page, fine-tuning the words.  Entire nights and weekends spent with my butt in the chair.  No TV.  No American Idol.  No washing dishes or making beds.  Just me and my computer.   

Nerves dancing when pitching the manuscript to New York editors who smile with their lips but not their eyes.  Months spent waiting for notification.  Then the crushing rejection letter.  “Loved your voice.  Great story.  Fantastic characters.  Couldn’t put the book down.  But . . . no deal." 

At last finding the publisher that is right.  The gallies (the first printing of the book) arrives in the mail.  Screams, laughter, wine, (lots of wine) and dancing barefoot around the house, hugging the pages to your heart.  This is it!  It’s going to happen.  Me!  I wrote a book.  It’s being published! 

Days of more proof-reading, getting the font just right, choosing the right cover, more proof-reading, more edits, more proof-reading. 

Then, it happens.   No more proofing, no more edits, no more cover designs.  It is time.  A deep breath.  Just say it!  Only three words.  Three little words powerful enough to change my destiny, uttered with so much emotion my voice cracks.

“Go to Press!”

Now, the waiting begins again for those five little words:

“And the Oscar goes to . . ..”