THE SIGNIFICANCE OF A BOOK RELEASE

I have encountered many writers during my life. All ages and genders and genres and degrees of success. Go to a writers’ conference and there is a palpable energy flowing throughout. Attend a book signing and witness the eagerness of those standing in line to have their new purchase signed.

There are far too many styles of writing, too many notions of the ideal way to write. All of them are valid. The important thing is to find the one right for you. Regardless of the step-by-step process you go through, some aspects of writing a book are consistent.

First, there is the idea, the spark that becomes a story. This is followed by the actual writing process. Whether it is outlined completely, a dry erase board or post-it notes cover the writing room, or scraps of wadded up paper litter the floor, the writer must complete the draft. This is followed by revisions and editing, elaboration or refinement, chopping or adding. Eventually, at some point, the manuscript is ready.

There is either an agent or publisher next, then contracts, then cover design and final galley. Like a bunch of dough that is kneaded to form an impressive looking loaf, the original story has gone through the proverbial ringer. And when its all done, there is a release date. Oh, it’s not as immediate as you would think or as the author would desire. This is a business decision on the part of the publisher.

It would be far too easy to use the analogy of the birth of a child, from conception to pregnancy to labor to delivery. It is, however, a different concept. A human is made of tangible elements, DNA creating a living breathing entity. A work of art (for it can be no less) is purely a product of one’s imagination and intellect. How long it lives is a matter for marketing and popular taste.

Which is why the release day is so important, so significant for a writer. I have watched countless videos of writers opening the box of books they received, gingerly plucking out a pristine copy of their latest work, and holding it to the camera, showing it off with a great deal of pride. The initial spark that created the story, the heavy burden of completing a draft and editing, all are forgotten. At that very moment, on that specific day, the idea has become real.

Yesterday was the release of “The End of the Treachery, Volume 2 of The Wichita Chronicles.” I’m thrilled largely because I have been able to expand upon the character of Harold Bergman that was created in “The Day of Calamity” and add depth to someone who has become very close to me. Book Three is in a final editing stage before presenting to the publisher. I have begun writing Book Four. And, out of the blue, an idea for Book five has sprung up.

In essence, a book release not only represents the work and dedication of the past but a connection toward the future. It’s a brief stopping point to consider all that is involved in writing. Those writers at the conferences understand as they have been through it, likely countless times. For the reader, the only wish is they find pleasure in the story and yearn for the next book’s release.