One Step at a Time on the Road to Publication

By Kate

That moment last October when I got The Call was one of the best of my life. It represented the culmination of everything I’d worked for so long to achieve. Just one short phone call changed my life in so many ways.

And in so many other ways, everything stayed the same. I hung up the phone, did a little dance, shrieked a little (okay, a lot), but then it was time to go back to the day job. Later, I came home, did the laundry, cleaned the house.

Kept writing.

Life goes on, you know?

But every so often I'll have a week where I have to make some revisions, or I'll get an email or a phone call that reminds me all over again – Hey, I’m a published author!

There are so many little steps along the road to publication. Like, when I signed my first contract. Now that was exciting! My husband took my picture.

Then a month later, I received my first check. They paid me! I made a color copy of the check before I put it in the bank.

I got my cover copy. You know that description of the book on the back cover? Mine's brilliant! I wouldn’t change a word. Hey, there’s my name!

Oh, and I met my first deadline. Whew. I’m home free now!

Spoke too soon. I got my first set of editor notes. Yikes. Now what?

I made that deadline, too. I rock!

Then I saw my book listed on Amazon. Wow. No cover image yet, no description, nothing but the name of my book and an ISBN number – and my name. I’m the Author. It’s not much to get excited about, right? But I cried. And laughed. And told my whole family and my friends – who all immediately pre-ordered five copies each and forced their friends to do the same.

I sent in my author photo. Do I really look like that? I should have used more product on that hair of mine. Can you fix those wrinkles? But I like the books. And the wine. Hmm.

Then last week, on my birthday, I saw my book cover for the first time. It was surreal to see someone else’s notion of what image and design will best sell your book. I stared at the cover for hours. It’s absolutely nothing like I imagined or expected it would be. (A good friend admonished me that from now on, I am never to set expectations of what my book cover will look like. Good advice.)

I love my book cover and I'm thrilled to unveil it here in the Lair for all to see. I think it’s beautiful. It’s warm and charming and funny and slightly sinister. It’s colorful and perfect for the cozy mystery market. And it makes me happy. It makes me feel like a published author. Somebody pinch me.

So that was a week ago. Last weekend I had to finish some last minute revisions. Then I went to visit my mom. Took her shopping. Had a latte.

Then today, I wrote my book's dedication and all my acknowledgements. It was hard to remember all the people who have helped me along this road but I tried. I probably won't be able to mention everyone but it was humbling to look at that list.

And tomorrow, I’m back at the day job. Must remember to stop at the market after work. And I’ve got to call mom. And I desperately need a pedicure.

Life rolls on.

But now I’ve got a book cover. And an Amazon page. Woo hoo! I can’t wait to take the next step!

Do you ever feel like you're leading a double life? At one step, you're a writer or professional person, then you take another step and you're suddenly a mom-nurse-secretary-taxi driver-juggler. How do you cope? Or do you? What's the most exciting or scariest step you've taken on your personal road to somewhere? Please share! To celebrate my new cover, I've got a $15.00 Amazon gift certificate to give to one lucky random commenter!