Paperback Writer—for Real

I've been waiting SO freaking long to use this title in this way, and I finally can. I wrote a book. Then I edited, scrapped part of it, rewrote other parts, edited some more, and then it was finally done. And someone published it. Just typing those words is downright surreal. I've purchased thousands and thousands of books, as both reader and buyer, but to hold one in my hand, with my name on the cover, is completely mind-blowing. Telling people where they can buy my book is even more bizarre.

So now what? Good question. Now comes the phase that strikes terror into the soul of every introvert: self-promotion. A thing I am not even a little bit good at. Sure, I can crow about it on social media and tout it here, as I am doing. But what I should do is talk to the buyers at local bookstores and ask if they'd consider putting my title in their local authors section. I might also ask if they'd consider doing a book signing event. As the very thought of that makes me break into a cold sweat, my brain shrieks, "Why would they do that?? No one would show up!!"

And then I think about how many local authors I set up events for at Tower and realize it's not about how many people show up, or even how many books I sell (but yes, I DO want to sell books) it's about believing in the story enough to read through countless drafts, slog through every last edit, turn over the final version, and say, "Here it is. Here's this thing I conjured from my imagination." So, dear readers, here it is...