Saturday, July 20, 2013

Distance and Time - available, at last!



Hey all!

Unless you've been held captive or have been otherwise away from social media this week, I'm sure you've already heard about the release of my debut novel, Distance and Time from my Time After Time series.

For those who have ignored my self-promotion, were kidnapped, or whose internet went down for the week, you can find the book in eReader format at the following links:

Amazon (Kindle)
Smashwords (for all eReader formats)

Many readers have asked for paperback copies and that will be an option very soon. I've outsourced that task to my creative editor, illustrator and formatting genius, Kim, who has assured me it's coming along nicely. Because it involves a printed book, it obviously takes a bit more time to ensure it's exactly how I want it, but I promise, as soon as it's made available, I'll let you all know. Also, there are free Nook and Kindle apps available for download to your phone, tablet or PC at BarnesandNoble.com and Amazon.com.

To those who have already bought it, read it, and/or reviewed it, thank you SO much! I appreciate all the feedback I'm getting and I'm thrilled that you love Josh and Carly as much as I do. To those still waiting, thank you for your patience and I hope you enjoy it!

Also, please leave me reviews, if possible. As I've mentioned before, I am not only the author, but I'm also my own publisher and marketing team. I am responsible for how well my book is received and I am fully reliant on your reviews, tweets, shared statuses and everyday word-of-mouth to help spread the news of my book. You can leave reviews on my author page on Facebook, Goodreads, and wherever you bought the book.

Thanks again!

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Follow-through

My name is Mel and I have a problem with follow-through.

Hi, Mel!

I'm 39 years old and for the very first time in my life, I set out to do something and accomplished it. When hurdles came between me and my goal, I found a way to knock them down or go around. I didn't let naysayers get the best of me. I refused to listen to the voice in my head who said repeatedly, "You can't do this." I pushed. And I busted my ass. And I did it.

I published a book.

Is it a best-seller? I don't know. I don't even care right now. All I care is that I did it. I did something that I've wanted to do my entire life and I followed through with it until the end. It wasn't without help from others, of course. Encouragement, support and physical assistance through some of the tougher parts, but dammit, I did it. It's my moment to celebrate, so if you'll excuse me for just a moment...

Cheers, bitches!

Friday, July 5, 2013

Thirty-nine


In an hour, I turn thirty-nine. That's a lot of cakes, birthday candles and parties since this first birthday in 1975. I still love cakes. And birthday parties. And presents. But I don't get too many of those these days and that's all right, I guess.

Mom always made the biggest deal about birthdays. She threw me a party every year. Many of you may remember the slumber party I had in 1982. 



And 1983.

 

And 1984.


My mother was a brave soul, lemme tell you. After my 8th birthday, she swore she'd never throw another slumber party with that many kids again and she stayed true to her word.  


I did have a 50's theme birthday one year and a swimming party the next. Mom was always good about making me feel special on my birthday. I miss that. I'm sorry to say I don't make big deals out of my kids' birthdays. We'll have parties every once in a while, but for the most part, a special dinner and cake is about all we do.

The thing is, for as great as all those birthdays were, it's the every day I cherish the most. It's laughing at the goofiness my kids come up with. It's crying over their sentimentality. It's enjoying their stories and company. It's having all the kids meet up with us at Buffalo Wild Wings and having a good time. It's listening to them interacting when they think I'm not paying attention. It's not about the birthday candles or the cake or the presents. 

Scratch that. It's TOTALLY about the cake, too - ice cream cake from DQ, thankyouverymuch.

But mostly, it's about enjoying the company of my family.

And I gotta say, 39 is looking pretty awesome.