Surprise!

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So you may not know this about me, but I’m pretty into details. I found one space out of alignment in a 72,000 word document. It got corrected. In the past two weeks I uploaded to two publishing platforms known to drive new authors to extreme levels of frustration. Error messages lurk everywhere and it’s not a simple task. Platform number one, IngramSpark, reminded me of playing an escape room game. Each time I hit “Continue” I held my breath. In the end, I got a big “Congratulations” message and gasped, then danced quite a lovely impromptu Irish jig around my home office.

I waited a few days to let things settle, then set out to upload to the easier platform. Their name starts with “A” and ends with “zon” but I’m not mentioning anyone in particular. After a very careful upload, I received an email telling me my book was in pre-order status. This was fine and dandy for me as I picked June 22, 2021 as my book’s birthday for quite a number of reasons. Details, you know what I mean? I went to sleep satisfied.

A couple of days go by and my super secret author copies arrive. This thrills me, I cry, and post my tears on social media. I see my phone light up with a text from one of my best friends. She is also holding my book. I wonder about time and space. Did I miss something? Is it really June 22nd? Of course it isn’t. My book has somehow jumped the gate and is galloping out across the country to my friends who thought they were pre-ordering.

I have this mixed state of euphoria, disappointment, rage and accomplishment. These feelings are large and hard to hold with my one mind. That’s my way of telling everybody Pub Day came early. The book that took me twenty years to finally finish is available in paperback. The ebook version will be ready in June and the audio version should be coming later this summer. All will be well once I adjust to the timing but I encourage you to pick up a copy.

It’s time to celebrate. She’s here!