How it feels when your first book is published.

As many of you are well aware, Absolved was officially released by ELectio Publishing this past Tuesday.  I had been anticipating that day for months and it came quickly.  I felt excited, of course, but had an even more overwhelming feeling of relief.  I know it might sound silly, but I spent a lot of time before the release just being nervous.  Don’t get me wrong…I wanted this.  It’s a dream come true to be published.  But the anticipation of the book I wrote being out there for anyone to read mostly just scared me. 

 

And then the day came.  Like every other day, it began with feeding my kids breakfast.  Like every other day, I sat down with coffee, said a morning prayer, read the daily mass readings.  And then I posted some links to where the book is available on facebook and twitter.

 

My husband was sweet enough to take the day off, just because it was my release day.  We took our two oldest kids to pre-school and did a little shopping with the younger two.  He let me nap, told me I could have whatever my heart desired for dinner, and proceeded to make me shrimp and grits after I requested it.  He and the kids also surprised me with a cake to celebrate the release with.  It made me tear up to see my girls holding a cake for me that said “Thank you Mommy the Author”.

 

Sitting down to eat the cake, I felt grateful.  What makes this amazing, really amazing, is support from them.  I haven’t even mentioned the support from friends…

 

All I can say is wow; I have been blessed with good people in my life.  So many of my friends jumped on the opportunity to buy the book as soon as it was available, and shared the book with others.  I just can’t say thank you enough for that. I’m struggling to even find the words to properly convey what it means to me. 

 

My husband bathed the kids for me that evening so I could hop on to social media, check out comments from friends, post more links to the book.  I really didn’t feel scared anymore, just happy the day had come.  I felt ready for people to read the story I wrote.  I hoped (and still do) that when people read it they benefitted in some way from it.

 

And that is how it felt, for me, on the day my first book was published.  I realize I still have a lot to learn, especially when it comes to book marketing.  But the book is out there now.  Really out there!  And for that, I am thankful.

 

Until next time…