Ashes, Ashes releases today! I've been working toward this day so hard for so long it's hard to believe it's actually here. This particular project has been in the making for almost 4 years, and to see it come to fruition is a dream come true.
After a few years of trying (and failing) to land a literary agent, I decided to take matters into my own hands and self-publish this book. The learning curve was enormous, and I had no idea what I was getting into. Every day I discovered something I didn't know, something new I had to learn, from every little decision about font and spine size to marketing issues like building this website and securing promotional reviews.
I didn't (and couldn't) do it alone. I hired freelance professionals (editor, proofreader, and cover designer) to make Ashes, Ashes everything it could be. I tracked down people who have self-published before and drove them nuts with all of my questions. I sent out advance copies to get feedback and reviews ahead of my launch.
I hope people enjoy this book. I've put my heart and soul into it, and even though the production stage is at an end, so many other things are just beginning. Ashes, Ashes is just the first of many projects that I have planned, and whether I do manage to break into the publishing industry or I have to continue to do it myself, I will push forward and chase my dreams as long as they reside within me.
Thank you for joining me on the first steps of this journey.