Anticipation

Only four more days until Akashan'te comes out. I feel like a little kid the week before Christmas. There's a neat gift waiting for me, I just know it, but I have to wait. And in four days, there it will be.

Yes, I know, I've been through the book dozens of times. I know the story inside, outside, upside down. I know what the cover art looks like (which is incredible!). I've even got the finished author copies. But that's different. That's "ready to go", not "published." But in four days, it will officially be "available for purchase."

Last Friday, I took part in a Cerridwen Press author chat - my first ever. I had a great time and even got some people interested enough to enter my contest. It was my first outing as an official "author". I have a book to sell - or will in four days. I've been writing for years and have been published - in magazines and newsletters and work publications. But this is my first book.

I wrote the story, edited it, had it critiqued, submitted it, got a lot of rejections, finally sold it, went through their editing process, worked with the artist on the cover art, have been working on marketing. And in four days my book will be available for sale.

I can't wait. I'm so excited. I wish Santa Claus would hurry up. ;)

Today's author birthdays: Sholem Aleichem, Nikos Kazantzakis, Wendell Wilkie, Wallace Stegner, Toni Morrison, Audre Lorde (Rey Domini), Jean Auel, Len Deighton

Today's thought: "I am fascinated by language in daily life...the way it can evoke an emotion, a visual image, a complex idea, or a simple truth." - Amy Tan

Today's teaser: At least one time today, change something you routinely do. If you take only showers, try a bubble bath. If you eat only at one seat at the table, try changing seats or even locations. If you eat only scrambled eggs for breakfast, try eating them a different way. Take something you routinely do and change it, then write down the way the change made you feel. Be specific.