This is my Insecure Writers Support Group post for May.
For more information about the group, see the bottom of this post.
I'm kidding with that title, and yet I'm kinda not. This is likely the most insecure IWSG post I'll ever write. My debut novel is set to release on Monday. 0_0
Pardon me while I faint. No. Scratch that. Puke, then faint.
Publishing my first book has been one Maalox moment after another. There have been fun times, sure, glee-filled moments—absolutely! But holy editingmarketinggraphicsandformatting, this has been tough. I've put more hours into this over the last two and a half years than into my day(night) job!
How will I feel if I pour my heart, soul, and fruit of my pure grueling effort out there only to get vilified on Amazon? Or worse, have no one buy my book? (Well, I'm not sure which is worse. That remains to be seen...)
Suck it up and deal, Melissa.
*deep breath* I'm determined to stay positive.
I saved a special treat for my IWSG friends.
You get to be first to see my book trailer!
Whatdaya think?
From now through Sunday, I'll be posting quotes from the book to generate a little buzz in anticipation of its release. If you're willing, I'd be extremely grateful if you'd click to tweet your favorites.
Here are the first two...
(I promise they get better as they go.)
For more information about the group, see the bottom of this post.
I'm kidding with that title, and yet I'm kinda not. This is likely the most insecure IWSG post I'll ever write. My debut novel is set to release on Monday. 0_0
Pardon me while I faint. No. Scratch that. Puke, then faint.
Publishing my first book has been one Maalox moment after another. There have been fun times, sure, glee-filled moments—absolutely! But holy editingmarketinggraphicsandformatting, this has been tough. I've put more hours into this over the last two and a half years than into my day(night) job!
How will I feel if I pour my heart, soul, and fruit of my pure grueling effort out there only to get vilified on Amazon? Or worse, have no one buy my book? (Well, I'm not sure which is worse. That remains to be seen...)
Suck it up and deal, Melissa.
*deep breath* I'm determined to stay positive.
I saved a special treat for my IWSG friends.
You get to be first to see my book trailer!
From now through Sunday, I'll be posting quotes from the book to generate a little buzz in anticipation of its release. If you're willing, I'd be extremely grateful if you'd click to tweet your favorites.
Here are the first two...
(I promise they get better as they go.)
To tweet this quote, click here.
To tweet this quote, click here.
Sometime a single choice
alters the course of a person's life
forever.
Western Historical Romance
Available May 12, 2014
Thanks for visiting. :)
To tweet about this post, click here.
Book cover, book trailer, and quote images designed by
Forward Authority Design Services.
Last but not least, I'd like to give a shout-out to Julie Flanders
for posting about my upcoming release today. Thank you, Julie! :D
We 'meet' the first Wednesday of every month. If you're interested in learning more, click on the link above. And don't be intimidated by the size of the group. We're not expected to visit everyone on the list.
Forward Authority Design Services.
Last but not least, I'd like to give a shout-out to Julie Flanders
for posting about my upcoming release today. Thank you, Julie! :D
IWSG is the
brainchild of Alex J. Cavanaugh. It's a monthly bloghop that offers a
safe haven for writers to express their feelings and concerns without
fear of appearing foolish or weak. It's also a venue for offering
support, both in the form of comments and positive posts. Writers of all kinds are welcome.
We 'meet' the first Wednesday of every month. If you're interested in learning more, click on the link above. And don't be intimidated by the size of the group. We're not expected to visit everyone on the list.
Congratulations on your debut novel! I'm not quite at this point yet, but I still totally understand that whole Maalox moment thing.
ReplyDeleteI really love the quote about desperate people. Beautiful!
This is the scariest part of writing. That last minute, "Oh my goodness, what am I doing??" panic before publishing. BUT, it's always worth it the first time you get an awesome review from someone who you've never heard of - and you will get that review, and many more!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the book release. I know it can be a stressful time.
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited for you, Melissa! What a great promo and fantastic quotes. You got it going on! I can't even imagine the mixture of emotions running through you right about now. Wow! Best of luck to you. Hugs!!
ReplyDeleteElsie
co-host IWSG
I totally tweeted! Love the cover and the trailer: simple and elegant, but ends on a hook. Love it! I made my own a while ago, and it's .... pants :)
ReplyDeleteBest of luck wit the launch! exciting. :)
shahwharton.com
What? You're still insecure? Hmmm.... guess I'll have to correct my IWSG post for today.
ReplyDeleteOh, that is such a scary feeling! You will be FINE! Try to enjoy it! Excellent trailer, too.
ReplyDeleteCongrats! So excited for you! Try to resist the urge to check your sales every five minutes ;)
ReplyDeleteIt is a scary time but you and your book will totally rock the book world. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that trailer!! The set-up, the music, the scenery are all so enticing. If your book wasn't coming out soon, I'd just have to write it myself to know what happens. :)
ReplyDeleteYou're going to be just fine, and Come Back will do great!
Kirsten @ A Scenic Route
Best of luck!
ReplyDeletePlease try to enjoy some of the experience!
Breathe!
Heather
Fantastic trailer! And I really like the tweet buttons you put up that we can just click and tweet. Many of us feel that anxiety, but you'll pull through. Good luck! :)
ReplyDeletelove the trailer, congratulations!
ReplyDeleteRelax, take a deep breath, and enjoy this ride!
ReplyDeleteI think that 'wanting to puke' feeling is normal! Lol. The trailer looks great and everything will be awesome! Good luck and congratulations!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your debut novel. What an accomplishment! We're publishing "sisters" on Monday as I release my new scifi romance on that day, too. As Quanie say, enjoy the ride!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your debut! And don't worry about the bad reviews--everyone gets them. Remember what it really means--that someone read your book and cared enough to leave a review.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your promo!!! The music is perfect (how the heck did you find it??) and the timing on 'betrothed' is SO SO spot on. I got chills when that happened.
ReplyDeleteYour title made me laugh, of course, but I think you might be right - debut week probably has the rest of us beat! Even though I KNOW you don't need to be nervous, I totally understand why you are.
I'll put up a public speaking post next week, BTW :)
And finally - CONGRATULATIONS!
Nice cover and trailer! Congratulations on your upcoming release, and yes, no one ever said this was the easy part of writing, right? Hey wait a minute, is there an easy part to writing? LOL! I love the title of your post, so perfect, especially for this group!!! Happy blogging! #IWSG
ReplyDeleteBook trailer??? Gaaah!!! SO AWESOME, Melissa. The cover is LOVELY and I love the title… gosh, I'm so proud of you. You're doing amazing things!!!
ReplyDeleteI love the title of your post. Your book cover and trailer are super awesome! Congrats on your debut! So much blood, sweat and tears goes in to one, it's a wonder we ever want to write another book. But we do:) Nice to meet you!
ReplyDeleteThat is a fantastic trailer! And congrats on the upcoming release of your book! It takes so much courage to take this step.
ReplyDeletelucindawhitney.com
You've got me intrigued!! Don't think you have anything to worry about!
ReplyDeleteD.B. McNicol
Romance & Mystery...writing my life
I liked the video!
ReplyDeleteI can certainly relate to the stomach-churning panic. But you are awesome, and I know you'll excel. You've already overcome hiccups in the road, and that shows how incredible you are.
The trailer is awesome!
ReplyDeleteNo matter what happens with your release, it won't be the end of the world. There will be negative, but there will be a lot of positive as well. Focus on that.
That's a very nice video, Melissa. Congratulations. The Dragon and the dwarves will be there to support you on release day. And as Alex said, focus only on the positive things.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love your trailer!! Good luck with the release!
ReplyDeleteFantastic trailer. Such beautiful romantic music and expansive shots give that western feeling and romantic chills. Great hook at the end--betrothed. Sounds like a yummy read. Doing a happy dance for you for your debut novel. Enjoy all the excitement and butterflies in your tummy. You'll be just fine. It's scary releasing this baby you have created with your words. The world can be so cruel, but oh so wonderful too. Hugs.
ReplyDeletePutting out your first book is intimidating and very stressful. You try to do everything - because you have to. All the weight is on your shoulders. The good news is, it doesn't last forever. I'm sure you'll meet all your goals and do everything you have to, and then find a quiet place to curl up in! Wishing you huge success! :)
ReplyDeleteI really do understand Malox Moment. You couldn't have expressed how you feel more clearly.
ReplyDeleteHere's to tons of success, Melissa.
Best of luck with your launch. I'm not sure which is worse either but I lean toward obscurity.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Seriously, just try to enjoy it (easier said than done, I know). And what a great marketing idea; allowing people to very easily tweet your quotes. Best of luck.
ReplyDeleteOh I know exactly what you mean. Thankfully this debut novel thing only happens once. Keep that in mind and enjoy every up and down. A word on sales: ignore them. They'll spike, then they'll drop and you'll wonder if anyone will ever read you book. Give it time, persistence in promotion, and above all, more works. I'm wishing you all the best!
ReplyDeleteWow, honestly that's one of the best trailers I've ever watched. That's a plus, Mellissa. Best of luck with marketing and sales. Oh you beat me to my IWSG post this morning. I'm on the west coast and didn't post until 5 AM which would be 8 am your time. Happy Publishing. Ha, Wait until you have to read in public.
ReplyDeleteGreat trailer. Love the background music and the snow storm sound in the end. You wrote a book, edited, published it, now enjoy sharing it!
ReplyDeletePlay off the Page
Woohoo! :)
ReplyDeleteI think we'll have to make "holy editingmarketinggraphicsandformatting" a thing. And there's no way you'll get vilified on Amazon. You're just too awesome.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting!!!! Best of luck :D
ReplyDeleteS.K.Anthony: IWSG
Dear Melissa,
ReplyDeleteThat was an awesome trailer. You should be rightly proud of what you've accomplished. Remember, a lot of people just dream, you've made your dream a reality. Now you can savour the moment and go from here.
I've tweeted and shared all your links in regards to your book. Well done, my good friend.
Gary :)
Take deep breaths, Melissa. The book is going to be great.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth Hein - Scribbling in the Storage Room
Fabulous trailer!! I love it!
ReplyDeleteYou'll do great, I just know it.
tweeted!
Pretty cover. My book was with Simon & Schuster and I can tell you that the pre-launch nerves are the same either way. You worry about promoting it, will it sell, will people like it? I went around to bookstores and introduced myself. You can consign it at local independent bookstores if you have any.Other than that, though, it's just a lot of praying and hoping!
ReplyDeleteI love the cover and the trailer is great! Everyone feels the same before a release. Melissa you'll do fine.
ReplyDeleteYay for you! The cover and trailer are amazing. You'll do great. Be sure and enjoy this major accomplishment :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think out of all the ISWG posts, you probably have the biggest reason to make one this month. O_o Hope everything goes amazingly well.
ReplyDeleteNice trailer and cover. Congrats! You and the book will be fine and survive the perceived Amazon onslaught. Happy Release day!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'll try again…
ReplyDeleteAwesome trailer! Wishing you endless success with COME BACK. Congrats, Melissa!
VR Barkowski
Oh Melissa... the trailer is beautiful!!!! Love it, and looking forward to reading COME BACK. Hang in there, it's almost time. :D
ReplyDeleteHi there! Love your blog! Followed you. :-)
ReplyDeleteThe trailer is fabulous! And congrats on your first book! No prob if you had one Maalox day after another, and you're going to puke then faint. :-) Look at it this way: You've made it! Yay!
Thanks for visiting my blog, by the way.