Who Was the Idiot That Set This Release Date?

Seriously, why did Book I—The Girl Who Died Backwards—have to come out on February 10 instead of last Friday? No reason, really. It's all done and edited and uploaded. It has been for some time now. I just have to hit a button and it's all done. I guess I had this notion in my head that I wanted a week or two of buffer time. Just in case I needed to go back and change something before release. But I haven't, and I don't need to. But everything says February 10, and even though I know there are very few people who are even paying attention at this point, it would be weird to just release it on Amazon, right? Right?

I will admit I'm not always the most patient person. I used to be very patient, actually. It was probably one of my best qualities. But as I've gotten older I seem to be less patient. There's probably some reason for this but I can't say what that might be. But one of the side effects is that the past week has driven me nuts. I just want the book out there. I want people reading it! I want to see if anyone will read it! In my first post I talked about feeling like someone setting up for a party and worrying if anyone would come. Well now I feel like someone who set up that party a month early!

The fact is, there is plenty for me to be doing. I should start doing the final read through of the next book in the series, for a start. It'll be out a short two weeks after the Girl Who Died Backwards, after all. Plenty of time to get it properly formatted for Amazon and do a last series of edits before publication, but I could get started now. I think I just needed a break after the intensity of getting the site up, getting the trailer done, and doing all the final edits of Book I.

But what a gloriously intense time it's been though. I really could do this full time for a living. Maybe I will start the final read through on the next book...

Ramping Up

Well, this is a strange feeling. The time draws nearer, and I feel a bit like someone throwing a party. I'm filling up the balloons, taping up the streamers, getting the centerpieces ready and checking on the hors d' oeuvres. All in the hopes that someone will arrive! It's an interesting moment. I've been with the characters and these stories for a very long time now. So it's strange that the time is swiftly approaching that will see them released to the world. I'm not so much worried that everyone will like it. I know enough that not everyone will. I just hope enough people actually find it.

Self-publishing through Amazon feels like the right thing to do. I decided to do it about a year ago. But let's face it, it's hard to get any momentum behind a book even if you're with a major publisher. I'd like to think part of it is the quality of the book, but part of it is just good promotion and a lot of luck. So, yes, part of my fear is that I'll throw the party and no one will come.

But you know what? If such a thing were to happen, it's still going to be one hell of a party. I've ensured that by writing a book that I really, really like. I would read this book. I would enjoy this book. And I'm not exactly easily pleased. That's always been my main impulse and my main benchmark for quality. I suppose, typing that now, this could be somewhat egotistical. But I know such an approach doesn't mean everyone will like it. But I hope most do. I feel like if you do something you enjoy then you're sure to connect with some people, right?