Wow, it happened. My book is published. The pre-orders are in the air as we speak, winging their way to all you dear folks who placed them. Thank you all so much for being so excited along with me and so supportive! I hope with all my heart that you enjoy the story, and that all of the kids in your lives do, too. On that note - if you do enjoy it, please take a minute to leave a review wherever you can - on Amazon, Goodreads, Powells.com, Barnes and Noble - anywhere and everywhere! They make a huge difference for people who don't know me. ;)
Yesterday was a culmination of five years of hard work. Four years spent writing the original manuscript and one year spent editing it. To be honest I still don't feel done, I'm still afraid something horribly awkward or silly will jump off the page at me. But I have to stop somewhere, I fear I could go on editing it forever until it was whittled down to nothing, and I would have to start over.
I learned so much about writing during this process, and sometimes it was rough going. Humiliating even, sometimes - but art is like that, isn't it? Everyone who has ever tried some sort of art - drawing, painting, writing, dancing, acting - the early days aren't pretty. And it can choke you with self-criticism when you see how much you have to learn! But you can't get away from it - even the geniuses of the world had to start somewhere and practice, they also had to be humiliated by bad work, get over it and grow. So it's part of my "homework" - part of The Work - failing, and trying again. And maybe failing again, but examining why, and fixing it. All-told I must have written Bridge of the Gods three times because I kept finding that by the time I got to the end, I had learned so much that the beginning needed more work to catch up! And when does that cycle end, I ask you? In case the answer is "never", I'm glad I cut the cord at some point, and said "Done.
My inbox of late has been an unprecedented cornucopia of delightful surprises. I have now decided that everyone should have a publicist, whether they have a book to sell or not. My amazing team at Booksparks - Morgan Rath and Crystal lee Patriarche - do it all. Wizards at promotion and marketing they send out press packs for my book, and pitch it to different literary websites around the nation. In the last two weeks I have woken up and checked my messages only to find that Bridge of the Gods is the first on BuzzFeed's "Five Reads To Beat The Back To School Blues"!!! I'm beyond thrilled!!!
The reviewer wrote:
"In the wake of tragedy, 12-year-old Chloe is abducted and sold to a group of vagabonds deep in the forest. Now, to survive, Chloe must learn just how much her furry friends know about the woods. Enchanting and incredibly well-written, Bridge of the Gods offers a fun and unique take on the fantasy genre." -- BuzzFeed
More treats - The Culturalist has Bridge of the Gods listed in their "Top Ten Middle Grade Novels Hitting the Shelves in August" feature, and my peeps let me know that I had two essays appearing in separate places - My "Rock and Roll Introvert" piece on Germ Magazine, and the "Little Housetruck in the Woods" piece I wrote for Hypable. What a rush to see your work in a national format - I was in tears yesterday with gratitude and happiness. I had no idea this kind of thing would happen when I wrote the book - I didn't know how it would be received, and I was (and still am) nervous. These kinds of reviews and support for my writing are gifts in themselves, and made my Publication Day a truly special day, one for my personal books.
But of course we must celebrate, we must be creative, we must share our art, our writing, our song, our voices. Art and culture is the resistance, communication is the tool, and love is our weapon.
The final touch? Beautiful flowers from the team at Booksparks. The perfect capper to a very big, very emotional and ultimately a very fulfilling day.
Peace and love to all of you!
xoxo
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