Almost Where?

In May last year I took the plunge and self-published my first novel, Almost There.  It was a scary thing to do, but I'm glad I did it.  I'm proud of that first attempt at fiction, and the responses I've gotten from people who have read it have been good.

The thing I have learned in the past year, however, is that I am uncomfortable with self-promotion.


This may seem odd for someone with a semi-eponymous storefront, but the truth is I'm happier in the background.  I see this reflected in Aden when she chooses to be stage crew not just for school theater productions, but her own plays at home.  I can relate.  We want to be creative and involved, just not in the spotlight if we can avoid it.

But if I'm not going to promote my book, no one will.  And I think it's a good book.

Have you read it yet?  If not, links to everywhere it can be found are here.

If so, would you help me out by writing a review on Amazon (and/or Goodreads)? 

(If you are among the marvelous few who have read it and already written a review, just tell me I'm pretty.)

I was hoping by this time to have had my second novel ready for launch, but there's been no time to edit.  My goal is to buckle down over the summer and give it a good overhaul and have it completed before the year is up.  (Then I'll have two novels languishing on the shelves!  They can keep each other company.)

I've enjoyed talking to book clubs that read my work.  Happy to do that again if there are any other book clubs interested.

Thus concludes today's attempt at self-promotion.

(But seriously, if you like my writing and have meant to buy my book and just haven't?  Now would be a good day.  Because writing is a lonely business that leaves you vulnerable, and the greatest reward in it is knowing you've been read and touched someone with your ideas.  To write and not be read is its own sad, empty, painful space, and it's a space I feel stuck in right now.  And telling me I'm pretty will only go so far to fill it.)