Second Time Around

My second book launch — I can’t believe it’s here! At our Wicked Cozy retreat the second week of June, Barbara Ross said something like “You do realize your second book is coming out soon. I think you’re in denial.”

Denial is a wonderful place to live in (I probably live there more than I should) and I went through a thousand excuses in my head. I was in the throes of writing and editing book three of the Sarah Winston Garage Sale series, I edited three other books (such fun and boy do you all have some good reads ahead of you), I was nominated for an Agatha Award (joyous news but very distracting — if any of you saw me wandering around with a glazed look you now know why), the actual launch party isn’t until July 18th (Barnes and Noble in Fairfax, Virginia from 1- 3 with Maya Corrigan — stop by if you can) and July 18th seemed like it was a long way away at the time. Okay, okay I’ll stop with the excuses and just admit Barbara was right.

As soon as I returned home from the retreat I made arrangements to meet with my publicist aka great friend Mary Titone. We agreed to meet the following morning for one of our high power sessions aka breakfast out somewhere. For our first meeting before the launch of Tagged for Death, Mary brought special pens, I brought new tablets. This time we just pulled out our phones. Mary plunged into planning mode, wrote and sent press releases, and contacted stores and organizations for appearances. Everyone should have a friend like Mary.

And here I am in the midst of launch week — denial or not the book is out but I’m a little more relaxed about the process. Last time I was terrified to get a bad review. Now I chant something my daughter paraphrased from someone: You can be the sweetest, juiciest peach in the whole world and there’s still going to be someone that hates peaches. (If you ever see me muttering “Not everyone likes peaches, not everyone likes peaches” you’ll know why!) I still don’t like to get bad reviews but if they are fair and accurate you have to live with them. This time I’m not obsessively checking my Goodreads reviews and Amazon ranking — yes I’m still checking them but not obsessively. (I swear it’s not obsessive — but I’ll be right back I need to go check…never mind.)

Before I wrap this up. There are a few people I need to thank. First my fabulous Wicked Cozy sisters and Wicked accomplices. Thank you for always, always being there for me! As I said the other day, without you I’d feel like a lone rower without oars on a stormy sea.

Thank you bloggers who invite me to do guest posts and reviewers who take the time to read our books and review them. I’d would list you all by name but I’m so afraid I’d leave someone out accidentally that I’ll leave it at this.

And then a big thanks to my girlfriends who range from sorority sisters, to local friends, to writing friends, and my far flung friends from our days in the military. I don’t know how I was blessed with so many wonderful women in my life. You all make my days better and make me a better person. I learn so much from each of you.

And last my family — without you this dream wouldn’t have come true.