Well, after a 3 year gestation period, my book is done and available online. A number of people have been following my journey as I worked to get to this point. And everything I’ve predicted is coming true.
The first thing that’s coming true is the WORK! I’ve reserved a restaurant for the first book launch in Oregon City, Oregon. I’ve put an Event Invite on Facebook and people are already signing up! This blesses my heart more than I can say. Second, I’ve got an M.C. for the event and someone to handle book sales (I’ve also had to order books at a substantial cost). I will need a podium and easel. I also need enlarged photos to advertise the event. I still have to sit down with my buddy, Mike to work up the verbiage for publicity.
And this is just the beginning! I have a second launch planned for Salem, Oregon. Virtually everything will be duplicated there. There’s more work on the website, visiting radio stations and newspapers, just so much. And with my demanding job, it will mean little free time for awhile.
Yet I am so motivated and so excited. I feel so blessed. I don’t think I’ve ever been so committed to something, something I’ve done, I’ve created, with my own hands. My own abilities. It’s exciting.
I have to admit that when I initially clicked “Publish” and the book went live that it was a bit of a letdown. It’s so stupid. I guess I was expecting thunder and lightning or fireworks. At the very least a celestial choir. I mean, come on! This is ME we’re talking about!
No, really, I think I had built the whole thing up in my mind to something so big that it was just somewhat discouraging. I truthfully didn’t expect a thousand sales immediately. It’s just that, when you anticipate something so much for so long, you build it into something unsustainable. Now, of course, I’ve come down to earth and I’m excited in a more realistic way.
It’s funny, I wish I had something more substantial to say. Something deep, meaningful. But I don’t. I have a feeling I’m going to feel scattered for the next few weeks.
I haven’t said anything about the book to my brother. He knows it’s coming. I think he’s going to be okay with it, relatively. I no longer demonize my biological father and I’ve taken out some of the more salacious things that didn’t really add anything to the book. I don’t know if he will ever really understand the book since it focuses on human relationships. He’s more into books by Lee Iacocca or Bill Gates or books about Steve Jobs–books that discuss success and how to achieve it. The relational aspects of existence are kinda lost on him.
Anyway, I’m going to have to write more on this blog, too, since things are going to accelerate. If anything, this blog will help me to vent and understand!
This is My Lemonade 