Things are Happening.

So, announcements first.  I decided to do a week long sale of the book.  Woo Hooo!!!!!!   So, if you have not bought it yet, make sure to get it while it is cheap!  The sale only lasts for the week.  Don't miss out.

Let's see, oh yes, my release party.  Can we just stop for a moment and discuss how much I love my readers?  Or even my future readers?  I had more fun that night than I have had in a very long time.  I laughed so hard I cried at times.  It was amazing and I honestly cannot thank ya'll enough for coming out and being a part of it.   I can't wait for the next one! 

Hmmmmm, what else....  Oh, the reviews are coming in and I can't thank everyone enough for taking the time to post a review on Goodreads, Amazon, and B&N.  Reviews help more than you know.  Whether good or bad, they help me to understand the needs of the readers better.  On top of the reviews, I really appreciate all of the personal messages people have sent me telling me how much they love the book.  It has only been out for like a week now and almost a hundred copies have been sold.  I am just beyond excited by this.  I can't even begin to express how humbling and amazing this whole process has been.  I am floored at the response my book has received.  I never in a million years expected so many people to love it.  So thank you for reading it, for taking the time to write me, and for just being the best readers in the ENTIRE world.  I love you people!

Other stuff that is happening:  I am currently trying to get my book ready to be available in print form.  Enough people asked me for a physical copy that I decided it was a worthwhile investment.  So, look for more news on that soon. 

Lastly, I announced the release of my next book See How She Fights which I have written over 59,000 words on.  I should have it finished and ready for editing soon.

I think that is all that is new and exciting in my world.  I have just been busy pounding the keys trying to get this story finished and ready for editing before our big move back to the South. 

xoxo,
Michelle

Risky Business

Two nights ago I uploaded my very first novel.  I did so with great trepidation.  There is no certainty that people will love it, there is no guarantee that it will provide the intended message, and there is no way of knowing if it will do well.  Typically, I am not a risk taker.  I am more of a "don't rock the boat" sort of a gal.  Publishing this book was a HUGE step into risk territory for me. 

Even as I sit here typing up this blog post my palms are sweaty.  They have been this way for the past two weeks.  Ever since my book cover art arrived and I realized that this is really real.  It is actually happening.  The husband is gone right now for training and I told him that he should be glad he is not around.  My hands have resembled a dead fish for the past two weeks.  Cold and damp.  In other words disgusting.  Aside from the gross fish hands, I have had trouble sleeping.  This is so outside of my comfort zone I don't really know how to adjust properly.  If it weren't for my amazing friends and the support they have given me, I surely would have gone mad by now. 

I am getting a bit tangent-y so let me get to the point of this whole post.  Even though this experience has terrified me every single step of the way, I now know for sure that it was totally worth it.  My book far surpassed my first day sales goals of 10 books.... In fact it has quadrupled my goal in the past few days.  I am beside myself with excitement.  I never in a million years could have expected forty people to read the words I wrote.  I can't even begin to describe how terrifying and exciting that is. 

So if there is something you are putting off, something that might be risky, remember this:  Without great risk there can be no great reward.  If we don't step outside of our comfort zones every once in a while we can never expect to live a life that is anything but ordinary.  Personally, I am going to choose the extraordinary.  I hope you will join me. 

xoxo,
Michelle