New Year Update

I have written this a dozen times in my head or on paper over the last several days and I can’t quite get it perfect. Becoming an Indie Author has been a whirlwind. I knew nothing about the world of writing and publishing when I hopped into it earlier this year. I went full balls to the wall, hoping I was doing it right and knowing I’d make mistakes. And I have. Before I published book one, Hooked By You, I considered working with a developmental editor to help me make sure my story flowed and was complete. But instead of listening to myself and feeling pressured by my self-imposed timeline, I plowed ahead and published it. (This might be a trend. Ugh! Not sure I’m happy about that.)

Waiting for reviews to come in was agonizing. My first received was so very painful, but I read it and re-read it carefully and took what I could. But if I’m honest, it stuck with me. Over the next months, I reached out if I could to those that gave lower ratings, and started conversations with them about what they felt was missing or needed extra attention. Then I took that knowledge and applied it to book two, Checked By You. Because writing is a process, I feel like there was an improvement, but I still felt like I could do better. When I received book three, Clipped By You, from my editor, my feelings were confirmed. And I made some incredibly tough decisions. I’ve decided to pull back. Start over… well, kind of. Over the last few days, I’ve secured a spot with a developmental editor whom I am looking forward to working with. She’s going to help me strengthen Hooked, Checked, and develop a game plan from here on out. My goal in this process is to present a better book to you, the reader.

This decision wasn’t made lightly and for the girl who doesn’t cry easily, I’ve shed a lot. I feel overwhelmed with guilt for asking my friends, family, and now readers to spend their time and money on something that I now believe isn’t my best work. I’m not sure how to rectify this, other than by sincerely apologizing and for working harder on my books to make the stories I’m telling ones that give you all the feels.

I do not have release dates for anything yet and I have canceled the preorder for book three. I hope that you, my friends, haven’t lost faith in me. Just as so much of my life has ebbed and flowed, this too provides bumps and hurdles that I will fight to conquer.

If you have any questions, please reach out. Through this journey, I am trying to be as transparent as I can.

Again, I apologize and I hope you’ll stick with me and these Steel Men because let’s face it they are amazing!

Thank you,

Jessica