Monday, August 22, 2016

I'm back...at least for now

It's been a long time since I've posted. The last time, I was excited about the publication of my book HIDDEN. Since then, SHADOWED, its sequel has debuted and I've turned in the manuscript for BETRAYED, the third in this suspense series featuring a woman computer hacker. BETRAYED will be out in the UK on December 30, and here in the US on April 1. I'm not sure how I feel about having a book debut on April Fool's Day...

Since I last posted, too, I've had a upheaval in my personal life. I switched jobs, from a part time one editing a medical journal to a full time one in the acquisitions department at Yale Press. The two positions couldn't be more different, and my entire life schedule had to change. I began getting up at 5:45 a.m. to get to the gym by 6 and writing during my lunch hours and for a couple of hours after work. My daughter is in college now, though, so at least I no longer play the role of chauffeur. It's been a bit of an adjustment, but I think I'm finally on track.

It's been interesting being on "the other side" of publishing these past months. I now see all the behind-the-scenes things that I never realized before. I can read my own contracts and understand them, although royalties "on reserve" still baffle me. I enjoy working with the authors, and I think they feel a little better knowing that I can understand their frustrations and joys about publishing a book. I had one author call me when his book came out just to tell me how wonderful it was to hold it. He said, "you know how that feels."

I'm hoping to have many more experiences like that myself. In between, though, I'll try to get here a little more often. Hope to see you here, too.