My First Published Book

My first book is being published this week. Phew. Two and a half years of writing, rewriting, editing, proofreading, rewriting and revising again and again, hoping to get every word, every feeling just right. Of course it’s not perfect. The last read through I found so many things I wish I could change but at some point, you just have to put your (figurative) pen down and let your story go. I feel incredibly lucky to have found a wonderful publisher (All Things That Matter Press) who not only took a flyer on a novice author but made great recommendations to make it even better. And provided support and encouragement through the whole process. And I have a wonderful writing coach/editor (Kathie Giorgio) who not only worked with me on this book for the last two years but taught me more about writing than any class I ever took. Although I am terrifically sorry I still haven’t gotten the hang of commas.

But, as sweet and exhilarating as being a published author is, it’s a bitter sweetness. Bruce is not here to share this with me. From the moment I met him in my senior year of high school, awkward and insecure, he thought I was brilliant and funny and that I could do anything. If I whined that there was something I couldn’t do in his presence, he would give me that sardonic Bruce look that said, ‘of course you can.’ And I would, mostly. But not if there were bugs or snakes. Those remained squarely in his purview always. I thought of him often over the last couple of weeks while I was traveling with two wonderful friends throughout Scotland, a place he and I had traveled twenty years ago and always wanted to visit again. We rented a house on Skye for four glorious days, overlooking the magnificent Loch Bay, watching sunsets and sheep. When I wheeled my suitcase into my bedroom that first day, there was a gigantic spider crawling along the bathroom floor. It must have been a foot long (of course I exaggerate but it was pretty huge). And damn, if I couldn’t hear Bruce laughing somewhere in the ether telling me I could do it. So I did. That particular Mr. Spider will not be wreaking havoc on Skye anymore.

I wish Bruce was here to share this wonderful accomplishment with me. I know he’d be over the moon. I can imagine toasts on the screen porch, hugs and tears, and him telling everyone he came across that his wife was a published author. Somewhere, I know he’s holding up a frosty glass of Grey Goose and telling me he always knew I could.

You can order it on Amazon.