SMALL MEDIUM AT LARGE Launch Week – Deb Joanne’s big, teary, thank you post.

It’s here. It’s really here. SMALL MEDIUM AT LARGE releases tomorrow*.  I’m such a bundle of emotions about this, but I wanted to take this opportunity to talk about a couple of things that surprised me about this long journey.

But before I start, let’s discuss something really important: a giveaway. Everyone who comments on this post and the rest of the Debs’ posts this week (so through Friday) will be entered into a draw for a signed and annotated copy of SMALL MEDIUM AT LARGE. That’s right—there are secrets and behind the scenes stuff written right on the book. Because I don’t have enough to do this week. See how much I love you, loyal Deb Friends?

Okay, now, to the post:

I started writing stories a long, long time ago, but it wasn’t until about 9 years ago that I really thought about getting published and began to work towards that goal.

I really had no idea how the whole publishing thing worked. But I knew I needed to start with a book. So I started writing. And eventually, I ended up with a book that I thought could be published. Yeah, you know the story, right? I queried and yadda, yadda, yadda that first book (and a lot of its friends) lives under the bed. But I kept going. And going. And going…

But there are two BIG things I didn’t know when I started out, and these are what I want to talk about today.

  1. I had no idea how hard this would be. Really. It never entered my mind when I first started out, that I would be faced with a lot of failure. This was due to part naiveté and part stupid arrogance, but there you go. I didn’t have a clue that it would take me this long. And that’s a good thing, because I never would have continued if I’d known it would take me almost a decade and many, many books written. I don’t want to say that where I am at now erases all the heartache and tears I’ve shed over this journey, but hell, I did it. And I feel pretty darn good for having survived it with a published book at the end. I failed and failed and failed and then I succeeded, and at the end of the race, all that counts is that I crossed the line.
  2. I never realized how many amazing, talented and wonderfully gracious people I would meet along the way. Honestly? This is what kept me going when I started to realize #1. And this is what I really want to talk about today on the eve of my book release. Sure, my book comes out tomorrow and it’s a dream come true and all, and I should probably ask you to go buy it**, but I really want to talk about how this entire experience has shaped me and introduced me to a community of amazing people.

There have been so many people who have helped me along the way, so many that I tried to name a bunch in my book acknowledgements, but it was too long and had to edit it down to only a few names (which hurt and was actually harder and more painful than writing the book). But I want to say here publicly that so many editors and agents—even the ones who didn’t work with me directly, but were on Twitter or blogging, graciously dispensing advice—have helped shape me and my book. And to all my writer friends: the ones I met online or through conferences or local networking – a hearty thank you to you as well. You are often my inspiration to keep going, and I love that we can lean on each other and know what it’s like in this crazy business.

(Yes, Mom, I realize you were a huge supporter, too, but you had your week already)

So although I celebrate my book release tomorrow, I also will be celebrating YOU and all the fine people around me that I never would have met if I’d given up 9 years ago.

Please raise your glass with me and let’s celebrate together.

And darn it all –someone pass more tissues!

 

 

*it actually released here in Canada last week, but for our intents and purposes and those of my publisher, TOMORROW is the big day.

**Please buy my book.

30 Replies to “SMALL MEDIUM AT LARGE Launch Week – Deb Joanne’s big, teary, thank you post.”

  1. Congrats!!! I’m going to be stalking local book stores to see if I can spot it in the wild this week 🙂

    1. Thanks, Kerry Ann – it’s great to hear that others get something out of my posts. I hope someone gets something out of me posting the pictures of my horrible hair. 😉

  2. I am so excited for your launch! Now everyone will get to read the fatabulous SMALL MEDIUM AT LARGE!!

    I know it’s going to be a huge success. And you deserve it, because you know what? It IS hard work to write a good book.

    In all the hooplah surrounding the release, don’t forget to take time to smell those roses, and to give yourself a great big pat on the back. 🙂

    1. Thank you, Linda! You’re so sweet to say all that nice stuff about my book. And I am taking some time to enjoy it – despite being nervous about my first event (this Saturday!) I’m really having a great time. Hopefully Mom will take me somewhere special for dinner tomorrow to celebrate the big day.

    1. Thank you, Priscille! You’ve worked pretty hard yourself and I love seeing that it worked out for you as well – looking forward to reading THE PROMISE OF STARDUST.

  3. Joanne your perserverance and your love of books have paid off. HERE SHE COMES SMALL MEDIUM AT LARGE (if I knew how to make the printing bigger I would have yeh sort of a little bit computer challenged).

    Our week will be full of celebrations starting with where ever you would like to go for dinner tomorrow night. I am so excited about Saturday with the launch and the party in the evening ( we promise to post as many pictures as possible) for both the day and evening ( yep I am in my glory big party coming up)

    To all the friends and writers that Joanne has met along the way I to thank you so much for all your help and inspiration to my daughter, I don’t know all of you but for those two wonderful laidies that I have had the honour of meeting and feeding your the greatest and to those that are on the Deb Ball, you start my week off and I so look forward to reading your posts and I hope to have the opportunity to meet you and feed you all one day.

    I wish all of you good health, much happiness and lots of publications, and most of all for being their for my wonderful daughter.

    Now I ran out of tissues and my reading glasses all all fogged up so I have to go open another box, boy this is going to be a real crying week but out of HAPPINESS. Have a good week everyone.

    1. Hi Mom!
      Thank you for honoring those who have helped me along the way-that is going to make for a really big crowd for you to feed, but I know you’re up for it. 😉

  4. Yay Joanne!!! As my post tomorrow will reveal, I have been a fan of dear Lilah since I first got my hands on SMALL MEDIUM AT LARGE. It has been so wonderful sharing this dance floor with you and I can’t wait to watch the world join in on the fun of your debut!!

  5. Good things come to those who wait. Or sometimes GREAT things. I am SO HAPPY for you Joanne. What a great lesson and role model you have been for the two young ladies in my life (my daughters). We are counting the days until we can get our hands on a signed copy of SMALL MEDIUM AT LARGE and be fed by your mom!!! I know we are going to love Lilah 🙂

  6. Dear Joanne… friend of the bloggettes.. 😀
    LOL!! Love the teary picture 🙂

    I can’t wait to head to your launch party in less than 2 weeks!! 😀

    #1 is a really good thing to know. I think people don’t realize how much time, effort and energy it takes and the overnight successes may not be so “overnight” (or are an anomaly) …

    <3
    Michele (and Hemingway!)

    1. Hi Michele (and Hemingway!) – thanks so much for popping by and I can’t wait to see you at the launch! And you’re right about the overnight success bit -I think it’s pretty rare when it is ‘overnight’.
      <3 backatcha!

  7. Erika thank you so much. Wow my new name Deb Mom Marcia (going to be my new signature on emails now). I can’t wait to meet you and feed you and hopefully that will be sooner than later.
    I am chulaching (that means antisipation) to be able to read your post tomorrow.

    1. Thank you, Missy! I am grateful for all well wishes, no matter when they come! The launch was (and continues to be) amazing and I’m having the time of my life. My local party is this weekend and I’m so excited.

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