So I published a book...

Low and behold, it is true.

I published a book and it was insane.

For a long time I said I was going to write a book.  And then I did.  And it was great.  But it was also weird.

Know what's annoying?  Putting a period after. every. few. words.

Good morning!

Okay, so I've not had coffee and I really need some, but I'm sort of preferring alcohol at the moment.

Anyway.

So back to this publishing thing.

It was horrifying.

I anticipated how much work would go into it because indie authors aren't called 'indie' for the hell of it.

Indie=INDEPENDENT.  We do this shit on our own.

The editing, the cover, the marketing, all of it...pure madness.  And I thought the writing was the hardest part?

HAHAHAHAHHAHAAHAHHA. 

Okay, I'm over it.

I wrote a book of short stories called PARANORMAL HEAT because I know that with my busy schedule I can't manage a full-length novel (ha, fooled you.  More about that later.)  I am most comfortable with writing short stories so I thought, what the heck?  Why not?  I created three stories that could be read within a span of 15-30 minutes with readers-on-the-go in mind.  

I let people read it.  A lot of people.  10 betas to be exact and let me say, I have learned my lesson.  More than 5 betas will confuse the shit out of you because everyone has advice and they all want you to go in different directions, but at the end of the day you have to do what you feel is best for you.

For a few days there I lost myself and tried to please everyone, but it made me want to punch myself in the face.  Repeatedly.

Five beta readers and no more--trust me.  I'm saying that for your own good.  Let those trusted five read over what you've got.  They'll either tell you you suck or you're wonderful and you can take it from there.

There were a few instances when I kind of felt like people were telling me the stories were good just because they didn't want to hurt my feelings, but after hitting publish I realize maybe that was all in my head.

Mind you, I do not expect 5-star reviews from every reader.  To me, 5-stars is earned when you suck someone into your world and you don't let go until all is said and done.  The story sticks with them and their mind is pretty much BLOWN.  Most of the books I read are 5-stars for me because I enjoy them immensely, but apparently not everyone views the rating system as I do.

4-stars are great. 3- stars are great. 2-stars are awesome.  1-star is great as long as you tell me why.  I made a post on this the other day but I fear people misunderstood me.

If you're giving me a rating of any kind, tell me why. Please?  Is it that hard?  WHY did you like it.  WHY did you dislike it?  WHAT can I improve on?  WHAT did I need more of/less of?  

Maybe I'm rambling now--no, I really am rambling.  I need food and coffee and probably more sleep, but I hadn't made a blog post in a while and I wanted to.

I want to thank everyone who has purchased Paranormal Heat and thank you even more if you've left a review.  It still feels surreal on my end, but I think I'll take this crazy adventure a few more times before all is said and done.

I do plan to release at least 3 more stories before I call it quits.

Thanks for this opportunity and for allowing me to blab on social media.  You guys are awesome.

P.S. I need to give a shout out to INDIE GIRL BLOG TOURS for being so awesome and helping me spread the word.  Check her out.  She's seriously amazing and helpful.