debut author

The Top Three Things That Surprised Me About Publishing A Novel

Wednesday, July 18, 2018
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This week we are talking about the differences between expectations and reality when it comes to traditionally publishing. I’ve compiled a run-down of my top three surprises regarding the process but if I had to sum up my debut publishing experience in one word it would be this: intense. The doctor in me feels compelled to point out that my limbic system took a beating this year, whirling around in…

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If You Can Visualize It, It Can Be Yours—Or Maybe Not

Tuesday, July 17, 2018
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I held a story in my chest and this story breathed when I breathed, and it flowed through my veins and pulsed with my heartbeat. I couldn’t shut it off. Everything else I tried to write was colored by it. My story needed to be told, so I put it down on pages and it became a book, and then I didn’t have to carry it any longer. As I…

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Interview with Amy Mason Doan, author of THE SUMMER LIST

Saturday, June 16, 2018
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Two friends. Ten clues. One breathtaking secret. I am so honored to be able to introduce the incredible book The Summer List—releasing June 26— to our readers! I was lucky enough to score an early copy and tore through it this winter, but whoever wins this week’s drawing is golden: this is the perfect book to enjoy lakeside or poolside or seaside with a cool drink in your hand and…

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The Queen of Hearts Is Born!

Wednesday, February 14, 2018
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  Welp. This is it. I have waited for this day to get here for the last five years. At first it was with a fatalistic acceptance that I was never going to achieve what I wanted, then timid hope, then cautious excitement, and now exhilaration. This may sound a bit overblown because I didn’t cure anyone, or ease anyone’s pain, or invent anything brilliant, or any of the things…

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First Drafts: Messy, Fickle Beasts

Friday, December 1, 2017
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As of this post, I’ve written four complete novels, six detailed synopses, and roughly one million poems and short stories. And I’m here to tell you that while first drafts do get easier, they never stop being messy, fickle beasts. In fact, I was just talking a friend about this very subject. My first (trunked) novel was an exercise in meandering. I had no deadlines, no critique partners, and I…

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The Conquest of It

Monday, October 30, 2017
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I really don’t like talking about fear. Oh, little fears, sure. I detest rollercoasters because I’m sure they’re going to break and kill me, I’ve been known to dive under picnic tables to get away from wasps which are clearly dark minions sent forth from the bowels of hell, and my horror of open water has been reinforced for decades by nightmares and augmented by that time my baby sister almost…

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Kimmery Is Not Old

Wednesday, October 25, 2017
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I just got around to checking this week’s topic and nearly fell off my chair when I realized what it is: Debuting As a Writer When You’re An Ancient, Shriveled Fossil. So many things wrong here. First, I am not old. I mean, I don’t feel old, but possibly that is because I am immature for my age.* Second, I was thinking of passing myself off as a twenty-something author—possibly…

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Jenni L. Walsh Says Goodbye (For Now)

Thursday, August 31, 2017
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This week the 2017 Debs say goodbye and welcome in the 2018 class! The other gals have also said it, but I want to parrot how it’s hard to believe this is my last post as part of the Deb Ball Class of 2017. It’s been a wonderful year and I’m not sure it’s possible to list all the ways in which I’m grateful for this experience. But, I simply…

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A Snapshot of Jenni L. Walsh’s Debut Year

Thursday, August 24, 2017
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After spending many years and numerous manuscripts to reach the point where I can proclaim, “I’m a published author!” it’s a bit surreal that my debut year — and my time on the Debutante Ball — is winding down. It’s been our goals to give everyone a glimpse into our author lives, our book journeys, and even into our personal lives. We’ve shared our publishing fears, our covers, our celebrity…

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Didn’t See That Coming: My Debut Year’s “OMG” Moments

Tuesday, August 22, 2017
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For about thirty years, I hoped that I would write and publish a book. And then it happened. Thirty years is a long time to anticipate something, and yet, the year has been full of surprises. There were a lot of things that I was anxious about from the outset, but there were many that I never expected. I’ve had loads of “OMG” moments — both good and bad. Here…

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