Marketing, publicity, business cards, press releases, interviews...the list is endless. Who knew most of the work for the book was after it was published?My baby needs lots of attention in order to make it in this world.

Success is about change and growth and I guess I'm going to be having a growth spurt very soon.
I have agreed to give a presentation at a local book store next month. I'm so nervous about speaking in public but determined to get over that. The topic is on caregivers and caring for ourselves while filling that role. It's a subject that is near and dear to my heart so I'm excited and grateful to have that opportunity.
I'm also going to sign book sat the Fountain Hills Book Fair in March. Fun stuff.
And last, but not least, I have signed on as Health Editor to a new women's online magazine Women Etcetera! www.womenetcetera.com
I feel blessed.

I'm so excited!!!
My hubby and I went out for breakfast this morning to a little cafe here in town that we frequent often. We know the owner and love the restaurant.
So, we approached the owner about carrying some of my books in his shop on consignment since we saw that he had other paintings and crafts by other locals for sale.
Not only did he agree, but he suggested hosting a book signing with wine and cheese!
I'm floored.
I go there tomorrow to discuss details. This is going to be so much fun.

So much has happened in the last few weeks! My book is for sale and people have bought it.
What's more, they like it! It is so gratifying to hear someone tell me that they liked what I wrote, that the story hooked them, touched them, gave them pleasure.
Are there nicer words for a writer's ears? I don't think so.
Now the real work begins...marketing.
I wrote away for some reviews and will be sending out copies next week.
We're also expanding the places that the book is for sale here in town. It' s fun, scary, and exciting all at once.

I've not posted in a few weeks but that's because so much has been happening.

My publisher has come through even better than they promised and my book is on its way to me. As soon as I approve the author copies, it will be ready to sell.

My baby is almost here!

I wasn't happy with the cover that the publisher came up with so I designed my own.

If I say so myself, I think it came out great.

Now, I am going to be working on my marketing plan. iUniverse sent me a very good packet to get me started. I have ordered specially made bookmarks and gold "Autographed copy" stickers. The owner of the second wives web site that I belong to has even offered to sell my book on her site.

Everything is falling into place.

I did it!
I submitted the final draft of my novel Second Chance today to the publisher.
My baby is on its way to publication.
It feels so good.

The book is almost readyto send in ...of course, it's been almost ready for weeks now. Just when I think it's time, I decide to revise "just one more time". But I think this time, it's really ready to go...as soon as my husband and I read through it one more time......

Boy, did I ever dodge a bullet! I found out a couple of days ago that one of the first publishers to show an interest in my book has filed for bankruptcy. Last year, Triskelion Publishing accepted my manuscript in the morning only to take the offer back in the afternoon. Apparently, the senior editor decided that they were going to concentrate in a whole different area [paranormal/sexual - an area I don't go!] and didn't think my book would fit in with their new concept.
I was upset and disappointed but I got over it. Thank goodness I didn't waste too many tears over that. If I had stayed with them, I would be in the same boat as so many of their authors are now, trying to get the rights to books back that are going to be held up now because they are considered "company assets". Who knows how long it's going to take before those authors can get their books published elsewhere.
I might have some scary feelings about going with a self-publisher but at least I know I have control over my work.

I did it!
I decided to go with a small independent press - a POD ---that's an acronym for Print On Demand.
This past Tuesday I signed a contract for iUniverse to publish my book.
Scary and exciting all at the same time. Feelings of what the heck did I just do combined with the unbridled anticipation of finally holding my book in my shaking hands.
I'm going to spend the next couple of months revising and editing and getting the book to be the absolute best it can be and then it's off to the presses! According to my plan, the book should be in print around the middle of October.
Stay tuned for more news as I go through this process.

After waiting for four months, I finally got an e-mail the other morning from the most recent publisher I applied to telling me that my book didn't meet the needs of their readership and wishing me luck placing my book elsewhere. Guess no one wants to read about a second wife...or my writing really is very very bad. I'm hoping that's not the case and since other rejection letters have told me that they liked my writing style, I guess I have to believe there is just a very small market for stories about second wives. I find that so hard to believe, though, since by definition there are so many of us out there. Isn't the percentage of divorce high? Aren't there a lot of second marriages?
I am still determined to get my book out there, though. I had a very nice conversation with the marketing consultant from iUniverse an independent publisher and I think I am going to go with them.
It's actually exciting now that I have made the decision.
Stay tuned.

OK, I have been really bad about keeping this up but things have been so busy and time has just gotten away from me.
My book was rejected by WRP but that's OK. I was upset at first but I'm over it now. I know that better things are ahead for my book.
It was accepted by another publisher but then I found out some not so nice things about them. It pays to do research.
So, I rejected them [that felt good!].
Now, it's with another e-publisher Wings ePress, Inc. and I'm waiting to hear back them. It's only been acouple of weeks so while I'm being very impatient I know in the publishing world that's no time at all.