Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Putting it All Together

As the days pass by and I get closer to actually receiving my first shipment of books and seeing my book for the first time, I'm going through my checklist daily and trying to get everything done!  1st book signing booked, promotions done, interview done...check!  Working through the actual set-up of the book signing...taking payments, giving receipts, keeping track of inventory...pretty much worked out (in my head).  Booking local book launch party...still trying to get the best deal and get it booked ASAP so I can get invites out!  Finishing website...still a lot to do.  And all the other mundane details that must get done before my first magazine article gets published next week!  Yikes!  I think that was only one check, huh?

So, for anyone thinking about or wanting to write a book there's a lot more to it!  Writing it is probably the easiest part!  But, it's a new adventure with new things to learn...almost like starting my own mini-business I suppose.  Who knew?!  So, bit by bit, piece by piece, check mark by check mark it'll ALL get down!  Then I can really start to promote it like crazy!!  Watch out!

Thanks again for going on this new adventure with me and for all your good wishes!  And, thanks for your prayers that my books get shipped before my deadline! 

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Is this Happening?!

Yesterday I saw the first live promotions for my 1st book signing...got a little teary-eyed!  Must have been the music in the background.  ;-)  Holy cow!  Is this really happening?  I don't think reality has hit me yet and I'm not sure when it will.  I've really just been going through this whole process step by step and not looking too far ahead.  And now with the daily anticipation of my first shipment of books and ALL the promotional planning for my 1st book signing, my book launch party, and all the additional advertising opportunities ahead of me I've just been in "go" mode.  My to-do list is long and I've just been focused on that...not the reality of it all.  But, to see something live...wow!  It IS real!! 

I think life will have to slow down for my brain to fully grasp the enormity of it all, but I'm living in warp speed for the foreseeable future so I'm not quite sure how to take it ALL in just yet.  I think I'll just be saying a lot of these in the next couple of weeks...Wow!  Holy cow!  Oh my goodness!  Really?!

Writing a book was never a dream of mine, so it's not like I'm living out a life-long dream.  I think that's partly why my brain is having a hard time wrapping itself around this whole thing, especially now that it's time to launch the book.  But, it is important to me to make a difference in this life and if this is my small way of doing that then I'm utterly fulfilled.  Or perhaps it'll just be my small attempt at it anyway.  And perhaps this book is leading me to realize one of my life-long dreams....who knows?!  Guess I'll find out! 

Sorry, just have it say it...WOW!!!

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

My 1st Book Signing Booked!

Wow!  My first book signing is scheduled and again the ironies of my life continue....as my 1st book signing will be back in my hometown in IA!  It's almost too good to be true!  And, I'm fully aware of God's presence through this process and how blessed I am!  God has perfect timing!  Hard to understand and believe sometimes, but in moments like these I HAVE to believe!

My cousin is getting married next month, so what better time to showcase my debut book to all my friends and family!  They all want copies, of course, so this cuts down on my shipping costs...ha!  No, seriously....I'm humbled and honored to be able to go back to my hometown to present my book to all those that loved, supported and encouraged me as a newly adopted child in a new country, a new state, a new environment.  And their love, support and encouragement has continued throughout my life.  What better way to repay all of them then to give them the first opportunity to buy my book.  I can't wait to see their faces, their expressions when they see the book!  I'm definitely anticipating that moment!  The book cover has special meaning to me and to my family, so I'm anxious for them to see it!  I don't want to spoil it now, but will explain more after my 1st book signing.  (Just a little teaser to stay tuned!) 

I not only dedicate this book to my parents and family, but to that town in particular!  They had a lot to do with who I've become and how I see the world.  They had complete acceptance of me as a child...the first internationally adopted child in the area.  How is that possible?  Small town USA.  I talk about being accepted and how that shaped my life more in the book.  But, the importance can't be understated....acceptance, no matter who you are is a huge thing in anyone's life!  We all want to be accepted.  And, as a new school year begins and kids walk into new classrooms the top thing on their mind besides what to wear the first day of school is wanting and needing to be accepted by their peers.  It's rooted in us at a very young age and I was extremely lucky to have grown up in that community at that time.

So, for me to go back there for my 1st book signing is extremely meaningful to me!  To try and show my appreciation and gratitude to all those that have had a small...or big part in my life and just say this is what you nurtured all those years ago...this is what your love and support has created.  So, although scheduling my 1st book signing is a huge thing on it's own...this takes it to another level...the perfect place with the perfect people at the perfect time!  God is good!

But, it doesn't hurt to ask for your prayers that I'll actually get the books on time for the book signing!!!  No anxiety here.  ;-) 

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Off to the Printers!!!

It's DONE!  My book is officially off the printers!!!  It came down to the wire on Friday, as the printers needed to have all the files and the book cover in order to meet my deadline next month.  What's the deadline?  My 1st book signing!!!  It's scheduled and will start promoting for it next week!  Holy cow! 

If you've been following my blog you know that I've been waiting for the past couple weeks on the final proof of my book cover....patiently waiting, mind you.  That was the last thing to finalize for the book.  So, after telling my publisher on Monday that I had my 1st book signing next month the back and forth of getting it finalized ensued this week.  I was anxious every day to get the final file and when we hit Thursday I was getting a bit nervous knowing we had to finalize it for sure by Friday.  So, after a few more edits back and forth the FINAL proof came back by mid-morning on Friday.  That was it!  It was perfect!  "Approved!  Send it to the printers!"  Finally!  The words I had been waiting to say for so long.  And, I'm completely thrilled with the cover!  It came out as I had hoped.  I wasn't sure if they'd be able to pull it off or not and I'm not even sure they thought they could do it.  But, it really means a lot to me and I'm sooo excited for you all to see it! 

However, now my anxiety about the printers actually meeting my deadline ensues for the next 2-3 weeks.  Yikes!  Every morning I can feel my heart racing...not only that the printers can meet my deadline (so please pray about that), but about all the things I need to do in the meantime....finish my website, getting my PR kit created, scheduling a book launch party, scheduling book signings, setting up print (magazine) interviews, working through all the logistics of actually selling my book, and all the marketing and promotional activities for the book.  Just a few things on my to-do list!

But, it's a fun and new adventure for me, so I hope I can continue to enjoy the process and just follow the path God has set before me with grace, joy and optimism!  As I've been writing this blog over the past several months and talked about my publishing journey, I've just taken each step as it came but not fully appreciating the accomplishment of it all...and I still haven't.  It's kind of been just another project I've been working on, but it's a project that will shortly be exposed to the world!  What?!  It's obviously the biggest thing I've ever done in my life to-date and although it's exciting it's also a little scary.  And, I suppose anything new and worthwhile is but I definitely never dreamed this reality for myself.  I never set out to be an author....but, here it is...I'm an author.  Again, reality hasn't totally set in and I don't think it will until I'm holding MY book in my hands.  And even then I think it might take me awhile to truly believe it and appreciate it.  So, thanks for all your good wishes throughout this process and in the future.  I really appreciate your support and hope you realize an unknown dream in your life!  Blessings for your week ahead!  (More about my 1st book signing in Wed's blog posting.)

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

High School Shout Out!

Sorry I missed Sunday's post...the first time I missed a post.  But, the day before was just about a day-long event!  I took a very good friend of mine to lunch and to get our hair done for our high school reunion later that evening.  Yep!  High school reunion time!  Since I was part of the planning committee for the event, last week was filled with a little drama and checking in on all the details as we got down to the final minutes.  It all worked out well and I really enjoyed seeing everyone have a great time!  Of course, it was equally as fun to see everyone and catch up with them, as well.  Honestly, at our last reunion I was thinking this one would have a few more bald heads and beer guts, but frankly it didn't.  We're all still looking pretty freakin' fabulous! 

Beforehand, a few people posted pictures from high school and got everyone reminiscing about the "good 'ole days."  And of course with Facebook you feel like you know what's going on with everyone (who's on FB), but it's still not the same when you see them in person and reconnect face-to-face.  Ohhhh, the memories, the good times, the crazy times, and the times that no one ever forgets!  It was really fun with lots of laughs, shouting (because it was so loud) and funny new memories.

But, I must admit I was utterly relieved when it was all over!  Not because I was anxious to see everyone like most people get when going to their high school reunions, but because I had put so much time and effort into the whole planning of it all.  Relief when I got home that night and total relief the next day...plus, lack of sleep and a very hoarse voice.  Considering my last post was about my current state of stress, this was just one of those things to check off the list.  I was hoping my stress would subside a bit this week, but this ball of stress keeps rolling and rolling and rolling.  Not good.  Is there a light at the end of this tunnel of stress?  Not that I can see anytime soon.  It's actually just ramping up, if that's possible.  So, after another stressful day at work what do I do?  Try to breathe.  Try to remember what's ticking me off won't matter in a couple of days, next week or even next month.  And try to stay focused on what's important in my life.  It's just the ebbs and flows of life that we all go through.  But, I must say....I'm ready for some calm, happy, non-anxious, thoroughly enjoyable and relaxing peace.  May the force be with me!  ;-)

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Ball of Stress...Forging Ahead

The last week of so I've been a ball of stress...mentally and physically.  My head has been spinning with what I have to do, what's coming up, and all the tiny details of every project/task/appointment that's in front of me.  A lot of it may be self-imposed pressure, but it's definitely real stress!  One day at a time, right?  Looking back, I'm not sure how I've gotten through it all except by doing the best I can at that particular moment. 

We all go through these times in our lives when we're overwhelmed with our daily lives and the tasks at hand.  Am I over-extended?  Perhaps.  But, I'm a planner by nature so I'm usually pretty organized about all aspects of my life.  Right now, I feel like I've been running at a pretty hard pace (not trying to keep up) but truly keeping all my "projects" in the air and moving ahead.  No breaks in sight...although I really need a week-long vacation.  I haven't taken one of those in 2-3 years.  Why do I do that to myself?  I'm not sure, but right now this train has got to pick up more steam and forge ahead!

In that spirit, I just finished my last...my final...edit of my book!  I'm just waiting on a final proof of my book cover design and we're ready to go to print!  Come on, already!  Right?!  Yes, I'm ready to say "I approve...ship it to the printers!"  It's time and I'm anxious to hold it in my hands!

So, thanks for taking this 'process of publishing' journey with me!  I appreciate your good wishes, prayers and excitement to finally read it!  It won't be long now!  And hopefully my stress meter ratchets down a few notches.