Five Things I’ve Learned Since I Sold My First Novel
by Jaime Lee Moyer
1. Publishing is made of ninety percent waiting and ten percent frantic activity. Months creep past and from your perspective, nothing happens. Then comes the rush of copyedits—followed by nothing, the thrill of cover reveals followed by (you guessed it) nothing, first pass pages (followed by nothing), and not too too long after a case of author copies arrives at your door. Holding a copy of your book makes up for all the waiting.
2. Walking into a bookstore and seeing your book on the shelf, the book you lost sleep over, agonized over, and worked to make your very best, is an emotional experience that’s impossible to describe. Knowing that people are reading your words, which is what you’ve worked years for, is both overwhelming and humbling.
3. People at conventions, conferences—readers, fans (!!)—start to treat you differently as soon as your book comes out. Writers aren’t rock stars, but you become an author with a capital A. Staying grounded is important, as is remembering that not that long ago, you were the shy fan nervous about talking to a real writer.
4. Fan mail will never, ever get old. That someone took the time out of their day to tell me they liked my book feels like such a gift. Probably because it is.
5. And I’ve learned that eleven-year-old me was right about being a writer. I want to do this for the rest of my life. This is the best job ever.
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Courtesy of Tor Books, I have a copy of A BARRICADE IN HELL by Jaime Lee Moyer for one (1) lucky winner!
Contest is open to US residents only. No PO Boxes, please. To enter, just fill out the form below. Contest ends June 27. I’ll draw a name on June 28, and notify winner via email.
ENTER DAILY TO INCREASE YOUR CHANCE OF WINNING!
Good luck!
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