A Beautiful & Temporary Cardigan Hug

If you’ve followed my writing journey, you may have noticed I haven’t written a blog for “I Knew Men” in many months. Last spring, I was on a roll with promoting my novel. Readers were purchasing copies, I was lining up book signings, placing social media ads … the feedback I received was very positive.… Continue reading A Beautiful & Temporary Cardigan Hug

Yes, But Is It Any Good?

My novel has been published, distributed, and it is featured on the Newman Springs Publishing website. They’ve also written a press release. I’m seeing posts on Facebook from friends and relatives who show photos of “I Knew Men” in their possession. My story is out and it’s being read! The dream is taking on a… Continue reading Yes, But Is It Any Good?

When life hits you hard, write.

In my first novel, “I Knew Men,” our main character, Anna, goes through a series of traumatic events. Now that my book is published and it’s being read, I’m receiving feedback that suggests readers are enthralled, surprised, and moved by what transpires. My imagination came up with much that was written, fed by a degree… Continue reading When life hits you hard, write.

Worlds colliding in the nicest way

Since approving “I Knew Men” for printing and distribution, I’ve been a bit of a basket case. To keep my head screwed on, I’ve thrown myself into my day jobs, all the while keeping an eye out for my novel to appear on Amazon. Even though I was told it would take a couple weeks,… Continue reading Worlds colliding in the nicest way

October is the most amazing month

From March, 2008, when I started writing I Knew Men, to October 2010 when the manuscript was reviewed by Marg Gilks at Scripta Word Services, my very first novel began a wondrous journey. I’ve enjoyed sharing all of my writing, editing, and publishing experiences here, and now, it’s October 2023! “I Knew Men” is a… Continue reading October is the most amazing month

There’s No Turning Back Now

September 7, or “Sep Seven”, as my older daughter calls it, is a big day in my family. Her son, my heart-stealing grandson, was born on that day. As he made wishes over eleven candles, I gave final, final, final approval for “I Knew Men” to move on for printing. No further questions, edits, or… Continue reading There’s No Turning Back Now

How to cross the finish line

If you’ve read the nearly two dozen blogs I’ve shared, you know I’ve traveled far in my publishing journey for “I Knew Men.” As I prepare to cross the finish line of production, leaving this exciting, exhaustive effort behind, I hit an unexpected roadblock. BRING ME THE BIG KNIFE … AGAIN After going through the… Continue reading How to cross the finish line

“The first draft review can be a bit overwhelming.”

On December 1st, I received the first draft edits of “I Knew Men” for my review. My double-spaced manuscript of 341 pages had been reduced to 170 pages, sized to fit a 6″ by 9″ paperback. I realize that text styling to make things look pretty is coming further down the road, but to see… Continue reading “The first draft review can be a bit overwhelming.”

The Unexpected and Fateful Publisher Search

I remember taking a deep breath when “I Knew Men” counted out to 99,700 words. It was time to pursue the big dream of publishing! Backing up a little, I first dared to look into publishing a few years ago, when I announced at Rotary that I wrote an unpublished novel. For the first time,… Continue reading The Unexpected and Fateful Publisher Search