How I’m feeling on release day!
It’s here! It’s here! After writing this book twice (basically) The Lucky Dress has been released today!
Finally!
I adore this book, these characters are my best friends, but that’s honestly my thought on this release. Finally.
I’m going to be really honest with you guys in this post which is really hard for me to do sometimes. I have a hard time opening up to people, especially with my feelings and despite my mostly upbeat attitude, I don’t always feel that way, because you know, I’m human.
As most of you know, The Lucky Dress was first published at this time last year as Little Gray Dress. I even topped some Amazon genre charts at #1 (WOW!). I was an Amazon bestselling author, it was a dream come true. But, drama struck, I had some publisher problems and in February I left my previous publisher and signed with the fabulous Aria Fiction (Head of Zeus). They wanted to sign me for four books, the first to publish would be a rebranded, new title, new cover, rewrite with 20k words added, Little Gray Dress, now known as The Lucky Dress. I was beyond thrilled. The book had done so well that I wanted it to be improved. I was reading reviews and saw some things I wanted to change with the new publication. Not many authors get the chance to rewrite a previously released book and I was getting just that. Before I started the rewrite I reread through all the reader reviews (over 300, all still there with the Little Gray Dress audiobook, which will stay as the first edition version) to get ideas on what might need to be changed. I took some of your advice and I think changed the book for the better. That’s what a well-written book review will do, it will help the author become a better writer. And voila, six months later, on August 7th, 2018 (TODAY!) The Lucky Dress was released into the world! (purchase info below)
Having the same book republished a year after the first publication isn’t easy. Getting the word out that it’s NOT a sequel but a rebranded rerelease is hard. Explaining WHY it’s being republished when you don’t want to throw anyone under the bus, even harder. I’ve been posting about this for months but am still getting the questions if it’s a sequel? It’s not. There’s been a rewrite, scenes changed, words added, but it’s not a sequel.
I’ve been fearful that the book wouldn’t sell because it did so well the first time and essentially this is the same book rereleased. I’ve been nervous that I’d lose readers for having to basically start completely over as a debut author. I’ve worried that I’d lose readers who are patiently waiting for my next book (which is written and going through the editing process now). I’ve had SO many fears. I’ve been withdrawn and quiet because I didn’t know where I stood in the writing world? I was an author with a book that did well but once it was pulled to go to the new publisher, what was I then? I felt like I was in limbo, nervous about my future, the book’s future, my dream of being an author, and overthinking anything that popped into my head. I gave up on my street team, was at a loss of what to actually post on my author pages, and just generally lost in where my dream was headed.
So, Now I’m a brand new author for the second year in a row. I feel better about my future as an author today. I feel motivated to reconnect with readers and to make the most of my new opportunity as an author. I’m ready to jump back into the publishing world with both feet and try to contain my filthy mouth in the process.
Most authors will understand me when I say that by the time a book comes out, we’re excited… WAY freaking excited, so don’t get me wrong here but we are also completely sick of reading our own book. We’ve been through it a thousand times and we are ready for it to be in the world with the readers so we can finally stop working on it. I feel that way, times two. I’ve literally been working on this book for TWO YEARS. I’m tired. I’ve been so looking forward to this day not only because I’m excited for it to finally be in the world again but because I can’t wait to start editing my second book! And writing my third! I’m ready to move on from The Lucky Dress editing and writing phase and bring you guys something new. And it’s coming.
Book two (title not ready for release quite yet, and NOT a sequel) is about a brand new couple, Henry & Ambri, in PDX dealing with some heavy issues but still keeping their humorous side intact. It’s another romantic comedy (if you’re expecting something else from me, I’m probably not your author lol) with a bit of a heavier issue at play as well.
I’ve also started on book three, the ever requested ‘Liam’ story. Yup, if you read all the way through The Lucky Dress you will have seen that Liam is getting his own story next year. That was always the plan since the moment I wrote I wrote him. The Lucky Dress is Jack and Emi’s story, NOT Liam’s.
I also want to say thank you. Thank you to Aria and their entire team for taking me on with a previously published book and helping to turn it into something 100% better than the first run. Thank you to my readers for being so patient and understanding what’s gone on in the last year with my experience as a first time author. You live and you learn and you keep going even when things fall apart. Thank you to my agent, Sarah, who’s believed in me and taken on a side of my publishing career that I don’t always understand and thankfully don’t really have to with her around. Thank you to my beta readers who graciously read my second book and gave feedback reminding me that I’m not a terrible writer like I felt. You gave me encouragement when I needed it the most and I thank you for that. Thank you to my family, author and non-author friends who’ve stuck by me during a year that was both crushing and exciting. There has been a lot going on behind the scenes in my life both good and bad and I’m SO thankful for friends who truly care. I don’t open up easily and I’m not a big talker, I’m completely socially awkward, and I have a hard time making connections with people, so if you’ve stuck by me through my debut publishing year or two, you’re the best and I just can’t say thanks enough. And finally to all the book bloggers that have supported me, some of you twice, you are such a blessing to the publishing community. As a former book blogger myself I know you do this for free, and often without thanks. I appreciate you and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for spreading the word on books you love so that others can enjoy them too!
Don’t give up on me guys, The Lucky Dress is only the beginning!! I hope you’ll read it, reread it, share it with your friends and family, review it, rereview it, and sign up for my newsletter or follow me on social media so you don’t miss upcoming announcements. I promise it’ll be fun!
***Please, if you read the book, leave a review on Amazon. It can be short and sweet and those stars matter. I know how much of a pain in the ass Amazon can be, trust me. But reviews are the only way to make sure our book is seen by new potential readers and the only way to make the bestseller lists so we can actually sell books. I SO appreciate you leaving a review and I hope if you loved the book that you’ll share it with your friends and family as well. Word of mouth from a happy reader can do SO much more for an author than us just standing around tooting our own horn.
[image error]The Lucky Dress
A laugh out loud romantic comedy perfect for summer vacation!
Release Date: August 7th, 2018
Publisher: Aria Fiction
Blurb:
We all have our lucky dress… an irresistibly hilarious rom-com: perfect for fans of Anna Bell, Jo Watson and Sophie Kinsella.
Emi Harrison hasn’t been feeling particularly lucky lately. Ever since her ex-fiancée, Jack Cabot, successfully shattered her heart into a million pieces. She’s managed to avoid him for a whole year, but all that’s about to change at her brother Evan’s wedding…
She will have to face Jack, Jack’s sister, Jack’s parents, and Jack’s new girlfriend: a mean girl that just won’t quit. What could possibly go wrong?
But with her lucky dress on, she might just find new love, life, and maybe even happiness at last!
Buy your copy:
–AmazonUS: eBook | print | also available in Kindle Unlimited
–AmazonUK: eBook | print | also available in Kindle Unlimited
***Please, if you read the book, leave a review on Amazon. It can be short and sweet and those stars matter. I know how much of a pain in the ass Amazon can be, trust me. But book buys, kindle unlimited downloads, and reviews are the only way to make sure our book is seen by new potential readers and the only way to make the bestseller lists so we can actually sell books. I SO appreciate you leaving a review and I hope if you loved the book that you’ll share it with your friends and family as well. Word of mouth from a happy reader can do SO much more for an author than us just standing around tooting our own horn.
Want to follow me on social media? You can find me here (below) & don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter (I won’t spam you) and keep up to date with all my announcements.
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Website/Blog | Amazon Page | Newsletter | RomComs & BonBons (my facebook author streetteam group)
