“I did it my way.” The lyrics of the song made famous by Frank Sinatra seem tailor-made for me. The story of my life. I go out on a limb, and good things happen…or the bough breaks and I land on my butt. Either way, I’m seldom sorry I did it my way because even when I fall down at least I know I tried. It beats always wondering, “What if…?”
Recently I went out on the most precarious limb ever when I made the decision to self-publish. Bones and Roses, Book one of my Cypress Bay mystery series, marks my foray into indie publishing after decades of being traditionally published. As my author friend, Samantha Bailey is fond of saying, “I’m gonna go throw up now.” Many was the night I woke in the wee hours with a pounding heart, fearing the worst. But I’m also super excited to be trying my hand at something different. Every day I learn a new skill I didn’t know I could master. If there were such a thing as a bachelor’s degree in social media I’d have earned one.
Luckily I’m not out on this particular limb alone. I have my husband, Sandy Kenyon, first and foremost. He kept the promise he made to me when we first started going out. He vowed to be “the one guy who makes your life easier,” after the string of disastrous relationships I’d endured before we met. In the 19 years we’ve been together he’s been good at his word. He’s also my chief promoter. Oh yeah, and he gives awesome foot rubs.
Thanks, too, to the team at my distributors, INscribe Digital. They’ve guided and encouraged me throughout the process. The fabulous Kelly Peterson said it best when she told me, “You know more than you think you do.” Often I’ve reflected on those words.
My marketing “genie,” Lauren Lee, has been an invaluable resource and publishing partner – I quite simply couldn’t have done it with her. She’s almost nine months pregnant with her first, so it’s been a race to see which would come first, the book or the baby. (Looks like the book will be the first to cross the finish line).
My author “Tweeps,” Francine LaSala and Samantha Stroh Bailey of Perfect Pen Communications, who’ve become dear friends since we connected on Twitter (reconnected in the case of Francine, with whom I’d worked on previous, traditionally published titles), were on hand–ready, willing and able–to edit and copy-edit the final manuscript. They delivered quality work in a timely fashion.
My friend and secret weapon, Susie Stangland, has been working behind the scenes to broaden my social media platforms. Thank you, Susie! You’re a rock star if an unsung one at times.
I also owe thanks to the fellow authors who generously provided quotes. Kindness is the currency of my realm and these ladies have my coffers overflowing. Bless you, Sandra Brown, Donna Ball, Charlotte Hinger, and Josie Brown. You’re awesome ladies as well as awesome writers.
Last but not least, I thank you, Dear Reader, for taking my fictional journeys with me. I hope you enjoy this one. If you find the waters of Cypress Bay to your liking, you can dive in again with Book 2 of my Cypress Bay mystery series, SWIMSUIT BODY, due out next spring.
Until then, happy trails.
