It’s Book Blogger Appreciation Week 2011!!!! I love book bloggers. They are passionate, hard-working people who love books, support authors, and provide a wonderful service to readers. (((hugs))) They are also really nice people.
But I’m going to tell you a little secret…
Despite how much I LOVE book bloggers–they scare the heck out of me. *insert music from Jaws*
I know it’s silly–they’re a bucket full of awesome–but here’s the thing. They haven’t actually read my book yet…but they will. *gasp* Obviously I didn’t think this whole “other people will actually read the book” thing completely through. (I’m certain this will be a reoccurring theme in future posts–watch for the tag.)
TOUCHING THE SURFACE is set to come out in the Fall of 2012. Right now, it’s pretty much the Fall of 2011, which means that the “365 days to go count-down-clock” could start ticking for me at anytime. *clutches stomach* But here’s the catch–book blogger receive ARC’s (Advanced Reader Copies) prior to publication. I don’t have any idea when my ARC’s will hit the world, but I know it’s in less than 365 days. The thought of it makes my stomach dance and I can’t even sort out which part is excitement and which part is pure, unadulterated fear. I feel like I’m standing on line for a really scary roller coaster ride.
Here’s the thing. I believe that I’ve written the perfect book–for me. And I should have, because I was the only audience that counted for a really long time. But that is no longer the case and when I think about baring my soul, to folks who publicly post a written report about it–I start to whimper. And while I’m optimistic that TOUCHING THE SURFACE will be embraced by many, I also know that there will be book bloggers who hate it. Yes, I said it–they will HATE it. How do I know this? Because it’s true. I hug puppies and drool when someone tells me that they just can’t get into a Harry Potter novel. I don’t understand it, but it happens. *squishes puppy and wipes mouth with sleeve* I also know there will be people who hate it because there are books that I…*covers mouth and whispers* HATE. And sometimes I hate a books that everyone else loves. *Bbbwwwaaaahhhhhh*
Hate is a strong word, but sometimes I tend to exaggerate in order to make my point. Or maybe I go to extremes to prepare myself for the worst possible outcome. Kind of like building up a thick skin as protection. And don’t worry, it isn’t like I spend all my time shaking in terror. I’ve had many a snuggly night, half asleep under a down comforter, dreaming of the NYT’s Best Seller List. Dreams are good. But there is middle ground and when I’m there, I am confident that the book bloggers are not out to get me. In fact, from everything that I’ve witnessed, they have done more to help books become a success than we authors could ever adequately thank them for.
Book bloggers are the best roller coaster ride that I’ve ever waited to go on. Every time I queue up for one of those thrill machines in an amusement park, I ponder chickening out. But then I do it–I take the ride. I scream the whole way through. I never throw my hands up to prove how tough I am. (I’m too busy making sure I don’t pee my pants.) And when I’m back down on the ground, I’m high-fiving everyone–pretty damn proud of having taken that ride, knowing that it was worth every moment of being scared.
It’s Book Blogger Appreciation Week and I’m standing on line for the biggest ride of my life. For all you book blogger out there, I know I’m going to be screaming and closing my eyes the whole way through this process. I also want you to know that I am looking forward to the ups and downs and I’m willing to accept all the fine print warnings that come along with taking this ride. I know how lucky I am and I appreciate having you out there.
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