Another post already?! Yep! A rare “double header” from Ilsa.
I wanted to touch on that other half of my blog’s title for those of you who care more about news from the writing front.
Let’s just take a moment to let the fact that there will be an audio version of Wish I Was Here in the world, and how cool that is, sink in.
Okay. Now continuing…
I’ll tell you right now that the moral of this story is it pays to complain advocate for yourself.
I was told ads for my book were running. I had paid for those ads, so I asked the new orders lady I had befriended if she could get a hold of them to send me.
She did. One ad was just a “Quote Card” with my book cover and a reviewer’s blurb. That was fine, I guess.
The other two had good wording, but the AI images of the people looked like children, not 18-year-olds. I felt this was misleading and confusing to the viewer.
I pondered. I waited. Then I acted. I harnessed my newfound friendship with Orders Lady to see if she would advocate on my behalf. This morning she reported that my ads were on the docket for the company’s weekly meeting. They discussed it at length, and it was now in their hands.
I thanked her and let it go for the time being. Then maybe an hour later, I got an email from the publisher himself informing me that they’d run a full audit on my ads, which hadn’t done well [shocker] and the Amazon page. He believed the problem was the cover, so he sent me a new design he’d like to start using immediately.
“Let me know what you think!” he said.
It’s been a while since I’ve heard a great #OnlyInJiuJitsu line, and that one certainly qualifies. HRH was reminding me how to do a footlock, not remotely hiding her disbelief that I couldn’t remember.
It’s really depressing, though not surprising, how much I’ve forgotten. Feeling like a brand new student to Master Cycle rather than a bonafide kick butt warrior blue belt* like I once was, is a bummer. *Quiet, HRH. It’s how I felt, okay!?!
When I woke up Saturday morning for the 8:30 class and noted that HRH had messaged me at 12:03 am, I was concerned that she wouldn’t be making it to class with me. Sure enough, she had no babysitter. I would have to brave the boys class solo.
When it was time to partner up that morning, I hung back, letting the dudes do their duding. Instructor, being conscientious of the situation, paired me with Crockett. I was relieved. I did at least know him from before I left, though he was still in the class below mine then. Otherwise, partnering for the first time with a stranger is always a little awkward. Remember that Li’l Trejo incident?
I know. I know. Writing’s not as much fun as Jiu-Jitsu, but this is important, not to mention half my blog’s name.
My mom is friends with a librarian in charge of ordering new books, so she sent her a copy of mine for consideration. I believe the woman has been a librarian for decades. Therefore, her feedback, which was great to “uh-oh”, is valuable.
Here’s what she said, the great part:
Wish I Was Here is fantastic! I loved the story and pacing and characters! Love Ilsa’s style! An absolutely thrilling, suspenseful, engaging novel!
I read it in two nights. Loved every vowel, every syllable. My only complaint is it kept me up past my bedtime!
We cannot let this title go unnoticed. Two thumbs up, five stars, and fireworks! I’ve not been this excited about a teen book for quite some time!
Not bad, right? Now the uh-oh part:
Wynne and Vicki at Heart of the Matter kindly invited me on their podcast to talk about Wish I Was Here and its long, winding road to publication.
Before we started recording, Vicki told me she was upstairs reading, got to the end of chapter nine, and yelled, “Shut up!”
Here’s something I haven’t done in a while: post on my blog!
But, for a change of pace, I’ve hopped onto someone else’s blog for a (very) mini book tour. I’m used to hosting others, so this is fun and different.
Jacqui Murray, one of my oldest and closest blog friends, kindly wrote about my debut novel, Wish I Was Here, on her blog.
So, I wish you were there. Go check it out: Ilsa Rey’s Newest Book.
Oh, but wait! Wait! One second! While I have you here, and since I haven’t updated you all in FOR-evah, just one quick thing to show you:
Now we wait for their judgment.
P.S. I didn’t turn it in with “The end, baby!!!” I added that just for you, took a screenshot, then deleted it. 🙂
Sorry, no trivia. Go read Jacqui’s post then come back here if you want an autographed copy mailed to you in time for Christmas.
I had the week from hell. My stress was distressed.
I had been waiting for the publisher to tell me when early copies of Wish I Was Here would be available. I had hoped I’d have them for a Sept. 20 launch party. Greg the Guitarist was on alert for the go sign to book the brewery. (Pun. “Book.”)
I had no forewarning when: The books are available Right Now!
Quick! Check the brewery calendar for the 20th! Aaaaaannnnddddd… booked. (Still a pun.)
Wait! Sept. 6 is open! That’s three weeks away!
Greg??
Like all great stories, this one begins and ends with zucchini.
Here’s what happened.
As planned, I made [read: commissioned Baking Daughter to make] muffins with the zucchini from the Senseis’ bounteous garden. I showed Sensei:
Sensei said, “Want to make a trade??? You need raw materials, I need finished goods.”
Cover me.
I’m going under cover.
Cover your mouth when you sneeze?
Okay, fine. I was trying to be unique and not do the standard announcement, but…
Writing and Martial Arts 