Hey Everyone,
So it hit me today that summer is winding down and I’m not even sad. Sure, I love summer. I love the slower pace, the freed up calendar, the warm weather, the cute wedges and flip flops and all that. But for me, the final days in August are definitely not slower paced and the calendar is not really that free, In fact, it’s the opposite. In our house, we’re all trying to cram in (or have to cram in) as much as we can before school begins. And my goal right now is to get my kids off to a good school year start as well as I can. But even with older kids, (my son will be a high school senior and my daughter will be a college sophomore), that’s still a daunting task. There’s just a lot to do!
This year though, on top of the back to school mayhem, this book launch stuff is making me feel crazy and scattered. Let me repeat that. Crazy. And. Scattered.
For all of you already published people out there who have all of this getting a book published stuff under control…you are amazing, awesome in fact. You are…not me.
Because I am crazy and scattered.
Why? Because oh let me see? I have to read my ARC copy of Spin the Golden Light Bulb and hand in any final edits/ corrections/ comments by the end of the month. It’s my LAST CHANCE to make the book sparkle. Last. Chance. No pressure at all. And I will be getting my final round of edits on Flip the Silver Switch (Book 2) from my editor any time now and those will be due also by the end of the month. Yikes!
I have a book trailer that’s waiting for me to edit it or fix it or perfect it or whatever. But, I am not a professional book trailer maker so ohmygod!! I also have a book launch party to plan and school visit presentations to prepare so that I can, you know, do some school visit presentations! Did I mention I have a book blurb to write or that I have no idea how to market a book that’s due to be released in just over 4 months? And people are starting to read the advanced copies of my book and leave reviews on Goodreads? Ohmygodohmygodohmygod!
So, why am I telling you all this?
Because I like to over-share. Because I wear my heart on my sleeve. Because this, I think, is the reality of pre-publication jitters. I don’t know what I’m doing. I’m pretty much winging it and I’m hoping that by January 2nd, it will all be fine. FINE.
But in my pre-publication freak out, I’ve realized a few things that may just help other nervous writers out there when they are in this position too.
I am not the only one reviewing my ARC for final changes. The awesome team at Amberjack is with me on this. I can breathe and read my pretty ARC and write some notes as I go. I don’t need to spend four hours on each page. I really don’t. I don’t know why I’m stressing about my edits for the second book either. I love this story, as much as the first, so I know I’ll get it done. No big deal. I love editing, so bring it on.
As far as the book trailer goes, I’m determined to NOT obsess about that anymore either. I love my book trailer. It’s not professionally done but it IS really cute. Hopefully you guys will love it too even though I do not have a future in video or film making…but I do have amazing people who worked with me to make it memorable.
I guess my point is to let you guys know that when this happens for you, just take a deep breath. Try to enjoy the experience. Realize that your book trailer may not be perfect. Your launch party may not be perfect. Your school presentation may not be perfect at first, your book may not even be perfect. But its yours and it’s about to be read by children everywhere…and it will mean everything to one of them. And that is a very big deal.
There’s a lot to do in the months leading up to a book launch. And I won’t kid you that it’s stress-free. But it’s super exciting and I still can’t even believe it’s all happening to me. Spin the Golden Light Bulb is heading out into the world soon. Until then, I’ll just do what I can to give it it’s very best start.
Just like I do with my kids.
Have a great week everyone! Enjoy the last few weeks of summer. I’m definitely going to try:) And now all of the sudden the font is different on this post and my computer is not letting me fix it…so I guess that means this post may not be perfect either! Oh well, such is life, right?
If you’d like to add my book or follow me on Goodreads, I’d love it, so here’s the link: Goodreads: Spin the Golden Light Bulb
Thanks for checking in! I’ll chat with you all soon:)
Jackie ❤
swirl and spark 