Finally…

Baker’s Blues is coming out this summer!

I’m so ready to get this one out the door. It’s been percolating since…well, since the twentieth century, when I was writing Bread Alone. Hard to believe it’s been that long, and harder still to think that I actually had in my head the entire arc of this story.

I’m a bit sad that my longtime publisher will not be bringing it out, but I’m going Indie this time, and it’s kind of an adventure. I have the final say on the title, the cover.  No one will suggest I change the ending or cut a chapter or add a scene. But no publisher also means no art department, no copy editor, no publicist, no accounting department…and of course, no advance.

So much has changed since Bread Alone was published in 2001. Vanity presses had been around for years, but digital self-publishing was in its infancy. Resources were scarce and results were pretty primitive. Now high quality publishing is relatively easy and inexpensive. Promotion…not so much. When Bread Alone came out I didn’t even have a website. Now, in addition to a website and blog, there are book trailers and virtual book tours. There’s Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Goodreads, LinkedIn, and I’m sure lots more that I’ve never heard of. This is not my area of expertise or—if the truth be told—interest, but we do what we must.

Good thing I’m not embarking on this adventure alone. In addition to about a gazillion books and websites covering every aspect of indie publishing, I’ve got my husband Geoff—trusted reader, marketing consultant and head cheerleader. I’ve got my steadfast writer friends, especially Jo-Ann Mapson—for editing, manuscript consultation, and encouragement. Her multi-talented husband Stewart Allison is responsible for the beautiful cover art, and he’s also designing the book’s page layout. Last but not least, my new author photo is courtesy of my favorite ex-husband Jerry Ryan.

So I’ve buckled my seat belt in anticipation of a bumpy but interesting ride. Fingers and toes are crossed.

May the Force be with me.

The post Finally… appeared first on Judi Hendricks – Author of The Laws of Harmony.