Last week is a blur. On Monday, people started posting that Above World had already been shipped to them and was starting to appear in bookstores. The photos amazed me. I woke up Tuesday to find dozens and dozens of Twitter messages, emails, and Facebook comments all congratulating me on the book’s release. I was instantly overwhelmed in the best way possible. Throughout the day, the support and love from friends and family continued to pour in — my family even sent Above World-themed M&Ms! The day was pure magic.
I should note here that among the emails I received that day was some excellent news: my revisions of Above World Book 2 have been accepted and the book is moving on to copyediting. Delicious icing on the book release cake!
I rode the high through Wednesday and Thursday, and could barely stop grinning. The stress started to seep in at that point — were people buying the book? Was it going to tank? Would my career be over before I’d even come down from the release high? My inbox bulged with unanswered interview questions, attempts to arrange signings, tasks I needed to accomplish to keep the rest of my life functioning. None of it got done. And then I started to stress about my event at Mysterious Galaxy, my first signing. Would any of my friends be able to make it? Would I say something to embarrass or ruin the event for my co-signer, Sara Wilson Etienne?
My emotional state was unpredictable, swinging erratically between euphoria and worry and despair, and back up to euphoria again. By the time the signing rolled around, I was either stressing quietly or babbling nonstop. It took two hours to get to the bookstore in horrible Los Angeles traffic, and I became even more convinced that none of my friends would be able to make it.
Which was stupid, really, because I have incredible friends.
Mysterious Galaxy in Redondo Beach was wonderful. They had the signing area set up, had our books on display, had an intro prepared — I couldn’t have asked for better hosts. All I had to do was my part and they took care of everything else. They really put my mind at ease. Sara and I did our thing, the crowd was awesome, and I absolutely loved every second of signing books. Every last second.
Nutschell Windsor has a great summary of the event (with lots of pictures!), or you can follow the album link below to see the pictures that Chris took:
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| From Above World |
After the event, I was talking fast, grinning too much, and wanting to hug every single person I saw. I couldn’t believe the support I received from my friends and the writing community. I was — and am still — in awe of the world.
So there you go. My first week with book out was mind-boggling and fun and hard and all sorts of things I hadn’t anticipated. Week two is looking to be much of the same.
Above World MnMs? Your family IS the coolest!
I know! They were even in the same colors as the cover. So sweet!
Sounds like a terrific week! Wish I wasn’t across the country and could have been to the book signing. You need to do one in New York now – we have a couch for you to sleep on :)
I might take you up on that someday, Rob! :-D
Jenn Reese, I just finished Above World and I absoloutley LOVED the book!! I cannot wait for the second book to come out, I know it will be great!! :)
Wow, thank you so much for stopping by with such great news, Cambrie! I’m so thrilled that you enjoyed the book!!!
I definitely did :) I am hoping to write a book myself, (even though I am 12 years old), could you maybe look at what I have so far? Maybe I could e-mail it to you? I know that you will have some advice for what I have so far…
Thanks!
Cambrie
Cambrie, how wonderful that you are a writer too! I didn’t start writing until I was 25, so you are way ahead of me. Unfortunately, I can’t look at your story — my literary agent won’t let me read other people’s manuscripts because of legal concerns. (If any of my characters or storylines are similar to yours, then it might look like I stole them.) But I do recommend finding a local writing group, or an online group, or one or two trusted friends to share with. That’s what I did.
Okay, sounds good, I will definetly look into that!! Thanks so much Jenn!:)
Jenn, it was such a wonderful time – such great energy in the room! You and Sara did a wonderful job! It was my pleasure and privilege to have been there – I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. Hugs hon!
Christine, you were so wonderful to make that drive! I am so, so glad you were there for my first real event. We’ve been through a lot together, and I love seeing how far we’ve both come.
The Book was sooooooooooooooooo Awesome!!! I could not put it down!! Thank you so much for writing it!!
Love Lisa
Yay, Lisa!! Thank you so much for stopping by to tell me. You’ve made me very happy!
This was one of the best books I’ve ever read! When will book two come out? (Can’t Wait…)
Thank you so much, Iris!! I really appreciate you stopping by my blog to say that. Yay!
I don’t have a release date for book 2 yet, but I’m guessing it will be in February or March 2013. I’ve seen a cover sketch and I know the book’s title will be MIRAGE.