The Unpredictability of Publishing

Hi Lovelies!

Have you ever had a week (or four!) that’s so topsy-turvy and busy that all you crave is a chance to catch your breath, a chance to answer emails or even write a blog post?

Well, this week I certainly wished for a chance to catch my breath, but I should have been more aware of what I was wishing for!

Stick with me as I share some seemingly unrelated events…

This week marked moving day for my parents…a move out of the home they had lived in for 42 years—the home I grew up in. They sold their house months ago, but when it came right down to it, suddenly moving day was here. There was packing to do, boxes to move, and I had to say goodbye to my childhood home—just like that. The flashbacks of amazing memories filled my every waking thought but as busy and emotional as it was, it was wonderful to spend so much time with my parents, my siblings and their spouses, my nieces and nephews, my husband and my own kids…because we’ve all lived so much life in that house. But now that my parents are sort of settled into their beautiful smaller home, I’m reminded how important family is…no matter where it is you call home.

This week also marked an end to my son’s high school sports career. But because he’s my youngest, it marked the end of all high school sports for my husband and I—and that just feels strange. Bittersweet to be sure. It also marks just three weeks until my son’s graduation and I wish I could slow down these days—just a little bit. There’s Senior Ball still to come, and Senior Banquet, graduation and a grad party to plan…packed into just days. But just like with my parents’ move, the days are  moving full steam ahead whether I’m ready or not and so I’m just trying to savor every moment, while I hold on just a little tighter.

A little over a week ago, I debuted the book trailer to Flip the Silver Switch. But as excited as I was to share that, I secretly wished that I had more time before release day. Spin the Golden Light Bulb is still a newborn book and dealing with two books at once had begun to feel overwhelming. I was desperately afraid that I wouldn’t be able to promote FTSS properly or celebrate its release into the world the right way.  I secretly wished that the release date was back to its original one in August.

Over the weekend, I struggled to complete even a quarter of my to-do list… mostly yard work, laundry, and house work. I mean there are only so many hours in the day! Instead though, on this holiday weekend,  I spent time with my family and it felt good to rejuvenate—even though I knew I would pay for it this week. But there’s nothing more important than spending time with the people that mean the most to you so I enjoyed every second…except one particular moment last night.

Remember I said that I wished for time to just breath–answer an email or two? Well, last night after a fun Memorial Day picnic at my brother’s home, I said good bye to everyone and proceeded to slip down his deck stairs. I fell down only two steps but as one of my feet slipped out from under me, my back crashed against the wooded step. I’m not sure if I knocked the wind out of myself or what, but the pain was excruciating, I was dizzy instantly, and felt ringing in my ears. Yeah, that was fun.

So I spent the night with ice and ibuprofen and today on the couch. I guess I got what I wished for…a chance to answer emails and write my blog post!

But, another thing happened that I secretly wish for too.

Flip the Silver Switch has a new release date! It’s August 21^st…its original release date! I got the email about it today. How crazy is that?

I know some authors would be upset, but not me! This means Flip the Silver Switch will be promoted as a Fall/ Back to School book and I’ll have more time to promote it and give it a proper launch into the world—after I’ve had time to properly plan a graduation party and send my son off to college!

So there you have it. Sometimes the unpredictability of publishing can work to your advantage.

I guess I better update the release day countdown counter on my site, and then ice my back again. There’s no way I’m spending another full day like this! But at least my emails are now caught up and if it hurts still tomorrow, I could get some writing done. Imagine that!

Have a great week, my friends!  Don’t forget to take some time for yourselves. It really does help!

Jackie ❤