The Team of My Dreams
As an indie author, much of my writing experience is “learning as I go.” I published my first novel after a professional edit, thinking that after formatting the novel and launching the book, I was done. Not so much. While reading my ebook, I discovered mistakes that neither the editor nor I caught. I also realized that there were problems with the formatting. I made what corrections I could on my first novel and rereleased it while working on book two.
Book two went a little smoother. I found a new editor and also came to realize that it was my responsibility to continue the editing process even after she was done. No one can catch everything, and multiple sets of eyes helps. The formatting was still a cause of frustration. Still, I loved the character of Caroline Taft in Twists, Turns, and Curves.
For book three, I discovered that I could order proofs of my books. I purchased five. I kept one and handed the other four out to my editor, my sister, my alpha reader, and a new online friend I met who was also an author. Her name is Catherine Brusk, and I got in contact with her after reading her amazing debut novel, What Love Washed Up. Our online conversations led her to read my earlier books, and she often claims that she’d be Caroline Taft’s best friend–you know–if Caroline Taft were real. I got it. I was pretty impressed with Catherine’s character, Jessi Campbell, who was attempting to live a normal life after a childhood of being trafficked by her stepfather. It is an absolutely brilliant book, and I strongly recommend it.
For Reinvention and Wise and Mighty, my Beta readers continued to give me beautiful advice, and the publications of books four and five went smoothly–with the exception of the formatting issues, which are totally the fault of the Kindle Create software. As frustrating as it is working with the program, I am learning to finesse it. I’m also constantly leaving feedback of my own with the Kindle Create IT people that they need to PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE fix it so that all the paragraphs line up!
When it came to book six, The Art of Persisting, there were some changes to my Beta reader lineup. Instead of my usual four, I had six phenomenal women who stepped forward and offered to read, give me feedback, and post reviews on their social media pages. Some of these women were new-to-me readers. They were generous with their time, and I felt honored that they gave my work a chance.
Along with my Beta team were early readers of my new release who immediately reviewed, rated, and recommended The Art of Persisting. I am so very thankful for their support and kindness.
A couple of years ago, Jane Daly asked me to read one of her novels, Broken, and write up a recommendation. I did it gladly since I’d just read her novel The Girl in the Cardboard Box. When I asked her if she’d be on my Beta team, she said yes and asked if I’d return the favor when the third book in her series was ready–I mean, how could I pass that up? OF COURSE, I want to read it!
It’s been a week since The Art of Persisting has been released, and I’m excited to see Ginger Douglass’s story out in the world. While I think that many of her past experiences are unfortunately relatable, it is her strength as she reclaims her life that reminds us that there is hope in claiming the lives for which we were made.
