The time flew by. Tomorrow Surrender the Wind will be officially launched out into the world, and I'm so excited I can't sit still for two minutes put together.Tomorrow I'm visiting my mother, who is now reading the book for the third time and telling all her friends about it. Hubby and I and mom will go to lunch to celebrate, then visit her Barnes & Noble. I'm either going to bake a cake or one of those luscious strawberry shortcakes from the bakery to top the day off.
On Sunday, I'll put on my finest -yet casual- duds and visit several local bookstores. How can I stay away! I've got a few hundred postcards about the novel that I'll give to them, and if they like I'll sign any copies they have and get those dates for signings cinched.
It seems like yesterday I signed a contract with Abingdon Press for my latest romantic historical. The experience has been wonderful. Everything from the initial request from my dear editor Barbara Scott for the first three chapters, to the request for the manuscript because she needed to know what happened after Seth knocked on the door of an ancestral manor house in England. I'll never forget the day I came home and there was a message on my phone machine from Barbara informing me that a contract would be offered and how she wanted me to know right away so I could celebrate over the weekend. And then came the book cover designs, the series of edits, writing the Acknowledgements and book club questions, and an article for ChristianBooks.com, and so much more.
If I live to be 110, I will never forget this moment in my life. My goal as a 'storyteller' has been to bring to my readers tales that will do more than just 'touch the heart', but will stir their souls and give them a respite from the hectic world we live in.If you have purchased a copy of Surrender the Wind, I thank you. Please allow me to send you a bookplate with my signature so your book is signed and a bookmark. Just email me with a request.
If you have read Surrender the Wind, and enjoyed it, please tell someone about it. And if you find a few free moments, I would greatly appreciate a review on Amazon and other online bookstores.
I invite you to visit my website where you can read the endorsements from other authors. There is a new page and a new video for the novel I am currently in the process of writing entitled Beside Two Rivers. I'm so excited with the direction this book is going. It will be my best yet!
To all those who encouraged me along this journey, who have supported me and believed I should never give up ~ thank you from the bottom of my heart and soul.
Blessings,Rita
8 comments:
CONGRATULATIONS! You are going to have so much fun tomorrow, Rita. Enjoy your big day, and have a big slice of something sweet for me :+}
It is so cool, Rita. Have fun finding your book in the stores. Congratulations.
Rita, I feel like I've been along on this road right beside you! And now, I'm celebrating with you too! Big Hugs coming from your fellow author! And by the way, everyone, I'm giving away a copy of Surrender the Wind on my blog next Tuesday, so stop by crossandcutlass.blogspot.com and enter to win!
I'm so thrilled for you, Rita!! Wish I could be there for a little strawberry shortcake and "high tea." Have fun hunting in the bookstores!
Blessings,
Barbara
I'm celebrating too. I've been looking at the book cover for months and now it's available. I hope to get to a Christian book store soon.
Congratulations Rita!!!
Enjoy and keep us posted on all the fun things you do around the release.
Debra
Yay! I can only begin to imagine what you must be feeling. :-) This is wonderful and only the beginning!
How exciting!! Have a wonderful day tomorrow. This is a real milestone in your publishing journey, and you deserve to take time to celebrate!
Congratulations! What wonderful news! Every good wish sent your way.
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