I’ve been an epublished author for just
about a year with three books under my belt. But nothing can compare to the
excitement of receiving my first print book. In many ways, I was as giddy as a
child stepping into a candy shop for the first time.
I’ve
been writing fiction for as long as I can remember. When I received my first
official contract (with Decadent Publishing), I was over the moon. Finally
someone other than my friends and critique partners believed in my writing
enough to take a chance on me. That, in itself, was a huge lift. Since that
first contract, I’ve gone through some more firsts and the excitement has been
replaced by the feeling of professionalism. This is, after all, a job.
But
this new first, of getting to hold my print book in my hands, I didn’t mind
indulging in the giddiness of a newbie. Finally, after 41 years, I was able to
hold a book of my own creation in my hands. Even as I type this my heart is
squeezing and I’m getting giddy all over again. I grinned from ear to ear until
my cheeks hurt the day UPS delivered my copies. A world of emotions swirled
inside my chest. Excitement (of course), pride (because one of my dreams had
come true), concern (because what if nobody wanted it???), humility (because
even though I was at this awesome place in my writing life, I still have SO MUCH
to learn), thanks (to Decadent Publishing for believing in me still), and hope
(because where will my writing career take me next?).
But
I think mostly over the last month, I focused on enjoying the feel of my print
book in my fingers and the smell of paper pages. I took the book with me to
work, to meetings with friends, to my exercise classes at the gym. I wanted
everyone who touched my life to see what I had created. There will always be
time enough to focus on the professional aspects of the job. For a while, I just
want to cherish being that little kid in the candy shop for the very first
time.
Me, in Scotland one summer