November 27, 2017:

Busy times! Tomorrow is the production day for my first book, THE SECRET AT ONE BELMONT LANE! It was back in March of this year when I signed the contract…and according to that contract, the publisher had until October 2018 to produce the book. Instead, the production date is November 28, 2017. What have I learned during the crossing over from a wannabe to published author (I still do a double take when I say that!)? I’ve learned a lot about hurry up and wait. There were several hurry up and return revisions, but wait around for long periods to hear back if the revision works. Even one of the publishers told me, “…and now you wait.” Luckily, I had other manuscripts to work on. One thing I’ve learned going forward (and I sure hope there is a ‘forward’) is after the next story is in the best possible shape it can be, work on the blurb. I was amazed at how difficult writing a blurb turned out to be. My suggestion is to read as many back covers possible in the same genre as your book, and tweak until the cows come home. One website stated to lead off with a description of the main character(s), give a brief synopsis of the plot, and end leaving the reader wanting more without giving away the story--all this in somewhere between 100 and 150 words. As I eagerly wait to hold my first book, the second revision on book #2--per that editor--should hit my inbox on December 17^th. I will have ten days to make the changes and return the manuscript--all this during the Christmas holidays--all part of hurry up and wait. I wouldn’t have it any other way!