AS RELEASE DAY NEARS

It’s February 5, 2013. Four weeks from today, GONE FISHING releases. It’s an exciting time, these weeks just before a release. And busy – I’ve been working on book marketing and promotion – which is new for me, and thankfully, is something that I enjoy. Here are a few things that are brewing, all with the help of others:

• Several very kind and generous bloggers have offered to interview me on or around my release date, so I've been responding to their questions,
• A few bookstores have agreed to help me coordinate events and we're making plans,
• There is a chance that I’ll be able to participate in one or two industry conferences this year as a panelist or workshop leader,
• I’ve been trying to stay engaged with social media – including Twitter, Facebook, this online journal, and a few group blogs in which I participate.

In the mean time, I’ve also been trying to continue work on my poetry and story writing. Some days are better than others; that’s just the way it is right now. When a bust of writing energy comes, I do try to grab it. And of course there is the house project and my good life beyond my writing life. As I said, it’s busy, but it’s a good busy.

I’ve decided that preparing for a book release isn’t the time to sit back and relax, it’s a time to lean forward and do what I can to help shepherd this new creation into the world. Some have likened a book release to expecting a baby or sending a child to college. While those analogies make sense, to me, releasing a book into the world is more like a first day of kindergarten. GONE FISHING has been developing, growing, getting stronger, and being prepared to interact in the world beyond its own back yard. It will always have a place at home with me, but it’s no longer just for me. I’m sending off my book with the best first day of kindergarten wishes I can gather: go make friends, be good, find your way in the world. This is a time when anything is possible.

The book is ready, I’m ready. Whatever happens next remains to be written.

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Speaking of releases, my fellow Lucky 13 Middle Grade Author, Tim Federle is releasing his debut novel BETTER NATE THAN EVER today. CONGRATULATIONS TIM! I had the opportunity to read the first chapter of this very funny, energetic novel and I’m looking forward to picking up my copy and reading the rest of this story soon. If you'd like to check out Tim, his website, and his new book, click on the cover. They're all hilarious in the best possible meaning of the word.