Dreams Do Come True — Thank You Kensington Publishing

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Breaking news! Here are the winners of the books from yesterday’s drawing. It was such a great response that I drew a third winner! Keep an eye out for future giveaways! The winners are: Jill @Bonnjill, Sharon Forrest, and Stephanie Clark! Thanks to all of you who entered!

I’m so excited that my fourth book in the Sarah Winston Garage Sale series, A Good Day to Buy, releases today. One of the themes in A Good Day to Buy is about who is a hero and what makes one.

I still have to pinch myself when I think about being published — that I’m writing book six as you read this. It makes me reflect on how it all happened and why. That story starts with Kensington Publishing. Here’s a little about them from their website:

Founded in 1974, Kensington Publishing Corp. is located in New York City and is known as “America’s Independent Publisher.” It remains a multi-generational family business, with Steven Zacharius succeeding his father as President and CEO, and Adam Zacharius as General Manager. From the time its very first book (Appointment in Dallas by Hugh McDonald), became a bestseller, Kensington has been known as an astute and determined David-vs.-Goliath publisher of titles in the full spectrum of categories, from fiction and romance to health and nonfiction. You can read more about Kensington on their website.

Gary goofing off at Bouchercon New Orleans 2016

Some of you have heard this story, but here is my tale of how the Sarah Winston Garage Sale series came to be. Once upon a time a heroic editor, Gary Goldstein, from the land of Kensington, came up with the idea for a cozy series with a garage sale theme. At the time Gary only had thriller and western authors in his castle and yet he went out seeking adventure in the world of cozies. His quest led him to an agent (John of Talbot), the agent went to Lady Barbara of Ross, and Barbara thought, “Sherry loves garage sales.” So it came to pass that the fair maiden Sherry (too much?) okay, just plain old Sherry wrote a proclamation (it was only a proposal but all of this still seems very fairy tale like to me) and Gary of Kensington said yes. Trumpets sounded (in my head), people danced with joy (well I did) and to this very day Sherry is Gary of Kensington’s only cozy writer.

But an editor and a writer do not a book make. There are legions of people working behind the scenes at Kensington. The unsung heroes who make it all happen. I’ve only met a few of them and some only through email. Gary’s assistant Liz alerts me when my books are on sale or there are good reviews among many other things. Karen and Morgan in marketing send out ARCs, set up blog tours, get ads placed, set up events, and probably do a whole heck of a lot more that I don’t even know about.

I love the covers of my books. The Art Department took my idea of having an old fashioned looking tag on the cover and ran with it. They created something better than I could have imagined! There is always something on each cover that I wished I owned.

Someone writes the back cover copy and they are able to sum up my books in a few short words better than I ever could. Here’s the back cover copy of A Good Day To Buy:

HER BROTHER IS NO BARGAIN
When Sarah Winston’s estranged brother Luke shows up on her doorstep, asking her not to tell anyone he’s in town—especially her ex, the chief of police—the timing is strange, to say the least. Hours earlier, Sarah’s latest garage sale was taped off as a crime scene following the discovery of a murdered Vietnam vet and his gravely injured wife—her clients, the Spencers.
 
BUT IS HE A KILLER?
All Luke will tell Sarah is that he’s undercover, investigating a story. Before she can learn more, he vanishes as suddenly as he appeared. Rummaging through his things for a clue to his whereabouts, Sarah comes upon a list of veterans and realizes that to find her brother, she’ll have to figure out who killed Mr. Spencer. And all without telling her ex . . .

Then there are the copy editors who notice if Sarah hates broccoli on page 22 but is asking for a second helping on page 156. They push me to write a better book. There are typesetters, and people who send the proof pages – the last chance to find mistakes before the book is printed.

There are people in Sales and Sub Rights – there are probably departments I don’t even know about who all work hard to get my books out.

So thank you to everyone at Kensington – from top to bottom – who do your jobs, who helped make my dream come true.

To celebrate the release of A Good Day To Buy I’ll Give Away two books to someone who leaves a comment!

Readers: What dream has come true for you?

Published by Sherry Harris

Sherry Harris is the author of the Agatha Award nominated Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mystery series and the Chloe Jackson Sea Glass Mystery series.

152 Thoughts

  1. What a lovely thank you note to our mutual publisher, Sherry! I hope they all read it. My dream come true is the same as yours, of course – having a major publisher put the stories they pay me to write into the hands of readers – and enough of those readers buying books so the publisher wants me to write more! Congratulations on the new book – I’ll get mine on Thursday so you can sign it!

  2. i’m living my dream with my grandbaby in Hawaii…lol… you know that…. i’m so happy and excited for you!!! i’ll get my copy soon enough… giant hugs!!!
    -Jen

    1. Thanks, Jennifer! I love seeing your posts on FB! And am so happy you are enjoying your time in Hawaii! Hug Chelsea and that cute grandbaby for me!

  4. My dreams came true when I had my two children. I love this series and the covers are great. I can’t wait to read this one.

  5. Congratulations on fulfilling your dream. I love Kensington Publishing!! Sometimes I go to their website to look around at all of the beautiful books. I wish I could buy up all of the cozies on there, and the romance books too. Steven Zacharius is a very nice man. I’ve had the privilege of communicating with him a couple of times after commenting on Kensington’s very attractive and alluring website.
    My dream come true is communicating with all of the very talented authors who write the books I love, and learning from them so that one day I could possibly write my own novel. Loved this post so much. And yes, Kensington does an amazing job on your cozy covers. ( :

  6. Congratulations on the new book!

    In this topsy-turvy and fast-changing publishing universe, Kensington stands out as one of the best. Any publisher that loves cozies has got to be good, right?

  7. I love this story, thanks for sharing, and congratulations on the new book!

  8. I’m living the dream! 8 outgoing children who sometimes drives me nuts (but that keeps me grounded!) & a supportive hubby, lots of rescued pets, books & tea… what more could a gal ask for?!
    Cheers-
    Kelly Braun
    Gaelicark(at)yahoo(dot)com

  9. Happy book birthday, Sherry! It is a fairy tale, isn’t it? I know that’s true since I have my own fairy godmother, nah, let’s make that fairy godsister – you! I hope Kensington keeps supporting great cozies and that we’ll see Sarah Winston in many more adventures.

  10. Congratulations! My first dream came true when I was able to purchase my horse, a Tennessee Walker named Rusty. I no longer have him, but he gave me many hours of joy. On another note, my mother loves garage sales. Every year she tries to find items that “fit” each of her children & grandchildren and gives them to us for Christmas. It’s amazing what goodies she can find — some are just perfect while others are hilarious. We all look forward to the “garage sale” gift portion of Christmas now.

  11. Happy Book Birthday, Sherry! I love that your dream has come true, and it has been a joy to be with you to see it happen. You are so talented and have a terrific sense of humor. I can’t wait to get my book and sit outside and read it today!

  12. I love your books, and I love garage sells. I have found some great stuff and I have seen some things that should have been retired. Lol I dreamed about having kids & I have been gifted with great kids, some I gave birth to, & some God sent to my heart. I am grateful for them all.

  15. Congratulations on the new book. Dream come true? Well, I’d still like to see a novel of mine in print, but having three short stories out in the last year comes pretty darn close.

    See you Thursday!

  16. I enjoyed the tale of the Land of Kensington and wanted to wish you a Happy Book Birthday! I have been graced with many, many blessings, but my dream come true was being able to move to Colorado from Texas and actually experience … SEASONS!, and a daily beauty that leaves me breathless — even the grocery store has a beautiful view. I can’t wait to read A Good Day to Buy!

    1. I’m glad you like my fairy tale — I was worried it was toooooo much! Colorado is so beautiful! I lived in Grand Junction for awhile and when I lived in Cheyenne I spent many happy hours in Colorado.

  18. I had read the first two books in the series and really loved them! My dream was to teach. Went to college, got the degree but “life got in the way”. Fast forward… I retired and got a job in a craft store. Three years later I am teaching crafts to all ages!

  19. Congratulations on your new book! I love your garage sale mysteries. My mom and I spend many Saturday mornings going to garage sales. My dream come true would have to be being a mother to my two boys. They are my joy!

    1. Thank you! I admire moms of boys — they seem to have so much more energy than girls. I get to enjoy my neighbor’s sweet (and energetic) two year old son.

  20. Fun post! Enjoyed reading it. A dream that has come true for me? I’m working with authors and bloggers as a virtual assistant.

  21. I found my husband and all around great guy on a blind date 47 years ago.

  22. Congratulations on your new book! It was great to read about what goes on behind the scene. One of my dreams come true was when we bought our home. Thankyou for the opportunity!

  23. I have gotten to meet a few authors that I’ve enjoyed their books and gotten autographed. I’ve also met several country music stars and gotten pics and autographs.

  24. Oh, dear Sherry, you know my dream of being turned into a Real Author who can go to the library and find my book instead of just the space where it would be is coming true thank, in part, to you.

    So Happy Book Birth Day, friend. I know I’ll be cheering many more of these.

  26. I guess the best dream that has come true for me is that I am the breeder/owner/handler of my Schipperke, INT and AKC CH Nanhall Calico Jack Of Marzel CD RN BN CGC. I have had Schipperkes since 1977 and Jack is the dog I have always wanted. He is my heart dog. He is more than just a show dog, he is my loving companion.
    marlene(dot)ezell(at)gmail(dot)con

    1. What a great dream to come true! I love the dog of your heart! I have my first dog in my life right now and couldn’t love her more. She’s a Westhighland Terrier named Lily. I didn’t know I could fall so hard!

  27. Congratulations and happy book birthday! I have snall dreams at this point in my life but am so thankful for each day that I get to spend with my husband, pets, and family.

  29. Congratulations, Sherry! So happy for you! As you know, my dream of becoming an author came true, too. It’s also amazing to see what new dreams arise after an initial dream comes true!

  30. Kensington also hosts a nice tea. The tea at Bouchercon 2016, listening to the authors read excerpts from their books, and meeting you was one of the highlights of the conference for me.

  33. So glad your dream came true because I love your series! And yes, this latest one is fantastic, too! (Which obviously means you don’t need to include me in the drawing.)

  34. Congrats on your new release. Love the covers. Love knowing how things came about. And I would love to read your books. Have read the synopsis on them and would very much like to read them. The setting is great

  35. Great Happy-Ending story, Lady Sherry. I couldn’t resist guessing… you’ve always wanted to own a diver’s helmet?!
    Hope to see you at Malice.

    1. Ha, Lady Sherry — I could get used to that! Please track me down at Malice! I’m on a panel at 9:00 Saturday morning and am doing Malice Go Round on Friday morning.

  36. So happy that Barbara Ross knew who could write this series. Love the covers and happy you are writing book 6. My dream came true as I was a lonely only and I love having 4 sons and now 3 grandsons who live next door.

  37. I suppose the most real dream that has come true for me is to have my amazing family and are 2 years into owning our own home.

  38. Congratulations on a wonderful series, Sherry! And on having a terrific publishing partner. Being able to share good stories with others is a dream come true. And worth celebrating. Yay!!!

  39. I have read all of the series and enjoyed them very much. I would love to win a copy of your new book. I can’t wait to read it!

  40. New to me series and author…I love finding out about and getting excellent insights into a ‘must read’ series. Thanks!

  41. My dream was to find a man who would love me unconditionally. We just celebrated 34 years of marriage April 19th.

  42. I love your series! Can’t wait to read the new one. I’m so glad there will be more.
    I guess my biggest dream come true was the day I became a librarian. I wanted to be one when I was 8 years old. My career has not always taken me where I thought it would (Me? A children’s librarian?) but I’ll never regret it.

  43. will have to check out your books…Dream come true for me?…having 2 great children (young adults now) who have made me proud because of their loving, caring & giving natures…wow

  44. A Good Day to Buy sound like a lot of fun. Hope to read it soon, thank you

  45. I love this series and the story of how it came to be! My dream-come-true is how I ended up with a wonderful husband and two amazing daughters… though I never really had the husband-and-kids dream when I was younger. Sometimes you don’t know what you want, until you have it! Thanks for the great giveaway and happy release day! 🙂

  49. I’m retiring at the end of this school year, and will be taking a vacation in September for the first time in over 30 years! Woohoo! Looking forward to starting your books.

  50. Happy release day! I haven’t heard your beginning story–it was great– love your covers too! My dreams of late usually revolve around family, as we watch our kids successfully reaching young adulthood! They are such good people! Of course, the self-emptying dishwasher comes in second!

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