A Celebration and a Contest!
Flyboy Debut!
Oh my gosh, I’ve been waiting for this day for so many weeks, that I can hardly believe it’s finally here! October 1st – the official release date for Flyboy! But while I was anxiously counting down the days to October, the actual release of my debut book really took me by surprise.
It was last Sunday, September 22nd, and my 10-year old daughter and I were at the mall. She wanted a book at Barnes & Noble, so while she browsed the kid’s section, I made my way to the romance section. I was actually looking for a particular historical novel when my daughter joined me. She was jumping up and down, so excited she could barely speak. She pulled me over to the Series Romance section and right there, practically leaping off the shelf, was my book!
I was so surprised I didn’t know how to react. I wanted to snatch it down from the shelf and shout to anyone who would listen, “Hey! I wrote this book!” I wanted to pop a bottle of champagne right there. Instead, my daughter and I laughed and admired it for a few minutes, and then went to celebrate with a pumpkin spice latte.
But as strange and surreal as it was to see my book in the bookstore, it was even stranger when, the following day at work, my coworkers began lining up outside my office with copies of Flyboy in their hands, requesting I sign them. There was much grinning and nudging and waggling of eyebrows, as the men among them suggested I had modeled the hero after them, and the women coyly asked if I knew the cover model.
It’s weird to think of my colleagues reading my book. They’ll recognize that I borrowed all kinds of technical jargon and “insider” information from my own work experience (although I’ve never uncovered a secret corporate club that promotes its members based on their sexual exploits!). I wonder if they’ll see themselves in the characters or if they’ll recognize them for what they are—products of my own imagination. Will they see me differently after reading the book? And should I even care?
I can’t believe that with all the excitement of my first release, I’m even worried about this, but I am. Even knowing that Romantic Times gave this book 4 and ½ stars and called it a Top Pick, I worry that somebody might hate it. Does this anxiety ever go away? Even for writers who don’t have an office job, complete with boss, coworkers and industry counterparts, there must be some anxiety, right? (Please tell me it’s not just me!).
Anyway, despite my worry, I feel as if I should be handing out cigars to celebrate the official arrival of my “baby.” But since they’d probably explode, I’ve decided to give away a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card, instead. I’ll choose a random winner at the end of the week from everyone who drops by for a visit, but you have to be registered to win (it’s easy and free). Good luck, and thanks for stopping by!
Congratulations!!!
I know the joy & excitement you feel at this moment and I want to thank you for sharing it with us. I wanted to shout it to "everyone I met" when I sold my 1st piece of art years ago. It was validation from someone who had no connection to me and it FELT GOOD! Savor every moment. WAY TO GO!!!!
I have to say, it's been so
I have to say, it's been so much fun to share this news with everyone here. I've already received feedback from readers, and it's so gratifying when they tell me they enjoyed the book. I can very well imagine it's the same with anything that we create, be it a beautiful piece of artwork, a poem, a quilt, etc.
Thanks, alphakitty!!
Big congrats to your release
Big congrats to your new release and also to the RT top pick and 4 1/2 stars.
Thanks, Dannyfiredragon!
Thanks, Dannyfiredragon! It's been a fun ride, for sure!
Congrats on the new release!
That was a great way to find out that your book was in the stores! Your daughter must have been thrilled to find your book.
Thanks, Amy! It was a lot
Thanks, Amy! It was a lot of fun sharing that moment with Brenna. She's a great kid!
Hmm
I thought I had commented on this post already lol anyway, Congrats again! lol
Ashley
You did, Ash...when I was
You did, Ash...when I was originally setting up this blog, I inadvertantly programmed it to post twice, once on Monday and then (little did I know) again today. But when I tried to delete the duplicate post, I ended up deleting the original post. Duh. I could just kick myself. I was at that point when the computer asked me, "Are you sure you want to delete this post?" and I was already hitting the "yes" key, when it occurred to me I might be deleting the wrong version. Sure enough...
Anyway, thank you so much for reposting!
Karen
lol
Well it makes me feel better to know I'm not losing my mind, as much as usual :D
Ashley
is that why my post is missing
I thought I had posted yesterday, but I don't see it today.
Anywho...congrats ~ again.
Congrats!
Like Ashley, I commented yesterday, but just in case there was a technical glitch, let me congratulate you once more on the release of FlyBoy!!! :)
Yay!! Thanks for reposting,
Yay!! Thanks for reposting, Bonnie!
There was a technical issue, folks...
You're not experiencing some weird deja vu, it looks like for some reason, things got deleted -- just repost and hopefully they'll all stay put this time! ;)
Sam
Sorry...that was me. My
Sorry...that was me. My only excuse is that it was very early this morning and I hadn't yet had my coffee. Sam, you're very patient with all my computer goofs.
Thanks!
Please
You are great with this stuff -- we've all had that moment of hovering over the "yes" or "send" and that horrible "whoops" a second later, LOL.
I actually forgot we could pre-set -- I never do it. So consider this trouble-shooting. [G]
Sam
How Exciting
I think that is great that your daughter was there to see that with you...a wonderful mother/daughter moment!!! Can't wait to read Flyboy.
Kendra
CONGRATULATIONS
What a great success! Best wishes on this accomplishment. Lovely photo which shows your fabulous cover and you look wonderful.
You made my day! If you
You made my day! If you knew how many photos we took before we got a "good" one! My daughter took a bunch of pictures, but she had me laughing so hard I looked totally ridiculous. So hubby took over, with strict instructions to keep hips and thighs out of the picture!
Thank you!
WOW!
What a great surprise! All the best and enjoy this celebration.
Bummed!
I posted yesterday as well. CONGRATS, Karen, on the release of FLYBOY. I bought it last weekend. Couldn't wait to get my hands on it! When I lived in Lubbock, Texas I always went out to Reese Air Force base. Loved a lot of FLYBOYS. *g*
MelissaL
Oh, you lucky girl! I keep
Oh, you lucky girl! I keep telling my husband we should move to Whidbey Island in Washington state, where there's a big Naval Air Station (home of the Prowler) but he's not buying it, LOL! Thanks for reposting, Melissa!
Whidbey Island
Whidbey is very close to where I live, Karen. So if you ever get there (move or visit for research), I would love to meet up with you.
I could get you to sign my copy of Flyboy!
And if you need a research assistant, pick me! Pick me!!
ani
Ani, we'll have to talk! I
Ani, we'll have to talk! I fell in love with Whidbey Island after watching the movie, Practical Magic, then had two Navy pilots come to work in our office whose previous assignments had been on Whidbey Island, and they totally loved it there. I've always wanted to visit that part of the country!
Lucky In Love!
LOL! Karen. No more FLYBOYS for me. I'm marrying my Navy man tomorrow!
MelissaL
Congratulations!!!
Melissa, congratulations!! Wishing you both a lifetime of love and happiness!
Karen
WOW!
Yes, big congrats! Come back and tell us about it! All the details (heheh)
I'm married to a Navy man, too, so lucky us. ;)
Sam
Congratulations!
Best of luck and much happiness!
ani
Deja vu
LOL -sending another whohooooo Karen! I'm so excited for you and LOVE the picture!!! Your happiness just glows. Congrats, I'm off to the store this week to get my own copies of Flyboy
Woo hoo!!
How exciting!! That must be a great feeling to see something of your creation on the shelves of a major retailer. Way to go!!
CONGRATULATIONS
That is wonderful and special news. All of your persistence and hard work is now rewarded. Have a memorable party to celebrate this achievement.
Yippee!!
Karen, just reposting to say congratulations on discovering your book on the shelves in such a special way! (I imagine it'll still be thrilling once you hit your 10th or 20th or 100th book!)
I've friends (Blaze subscribers) who've already read Flyboy and told me how much they loved it, and I can't wait to get ahold of it myself :)
Have a great week, and celebrate!
reposting Congratulations
A hearty congratulations on the release of Flyboy! I can't imagine how exciting it is to see your debut book in print.
I love the picture of you. You look radiant.
Thank you, Crystal! This has
Thank you, Crystal! This has been so much fun, and I'm glad you're here to share it with me!
To Beach, Cathy,
To Beach, Cathy, Principessa, Fedora, Crystal, Tawny, and all the other wonderful ladies who were kind enough to come back and repost...thank you!!
Woo Hoo!!
Congratulations again, Karen. Heck, a first book should get lots of congratulations right?!
I'm off to pick it up this weekend, if I can't sneak into town before then!
I can't wait. I've been following this since you first guest blogged here. And, let's face it, that cover alone is deserving of some praise!
ani
Too funny, Ani! My husband
Too funny, Ani! My husband said this is going to be the longest "first release" party in the history of Harlequin! I say, why not?? Thanks for coming back and reposting!
Congrats!!
Just wanted to say Congrats again!! It was a great book and the covers not to bad either.
Just picked up Flyboy today!
Just picked up Flyboy today!
Congrats on the new release!
Can't wait to read it!
Can't wait to read it! Will
Can't wait to read it! Will have to buy a plastic cover so my drool won't ruin it!!
Congrats!
You and your daughter certainly had a day you will never forget. Great story. I can't wait until 2009 and your next release!
Flyboy
How exciting for you and like everyone else, a big congratulations. I just love the cover too.
Congrats
I thought I posted here - wanted to offer my congrats - so Congrats and many more successes.
that is great, have flyboy,
that is great, have flyboy, one hot read.
Karen, a big congrats and
Karen, a big congrats and tossing confetti. How nice that your co-workers bought your book and wanted it autographed.
hope I'm verified now. How
hope I'm verified now. How often do we have to do this verifying?
Sorry, Buddy is RobynL.
Sorry, Buddy is RobynL.
Hi Buddy! I believe you
Hi Buddy! I believe you only need to do this once. So glad you did! Thanks for stopping by.
Thank You!
To Stacy S., Estella, Minna, BoBetz-Liz, Jen, Catslady, Pat L., and Kim H. -- thank you!!! It's so great to have you all come out and celebrate with us!
MEGA congrats on the new
MEGA congrats on the new release AND the RT top pick! I remember when Kate's Pride came out - I felt like I was dancing on top of the world. My debut romantic suspense, Fated Love written as Darcy McKenna, comes out on the 19th of this month....so I'm counting down the days too!
Renee
aka Darcy
Renee Russell
www.reneerussell.com
KATE'S PRIDE - available at www.wings-press.com