Thankful Thursday

I think today's thankful Thursday needs to be about the book.  It is going to sound really self-congratulatory on my part but FREAK I am getting excited about this thing.  I feel as if I have been so blessed with this thing.  I mean writing it started as just a fun experiment for my friends and I.  I never imagined it go this far and I am utterly humbled by the whole of it.  Okay, so here is a bit of an update on why I am so excited:


Note: Not actual cover art, just temporary one.


My publisher, Meryton Press, runs a couple of websites and one of them is an online community for Jane Austen fans to post their fanfic.  You have to sign up for it but it is free.  You can check it out here if you wish.  Anyway, on this website you can post your short stories and even full length books or you can simply go and enjoy other people's stories.  It pretty much is a like a Jane Austen addict's dream.  In fact, many of Meryton Press' books happen to be full length books posted on this website previously and now edited, spruced up and published.  So I decided to post a couple of my short stories on there.  I have written three of them.  On Sunday, I gave them a quick edit and then posted them on the website.  It has not even been a week and one of them has well over 500 views, another 450+, and one I posted only just two days ago has over 300.  People can comment on them too and that has me most excited.  I have received some fantastic and super positive comments.  My posts have a "signature" at the end links to my profile on the website and also to the publisher's website for further information on my book.  Several of the readers have commented on their interest in my book and wishing to get it when it comes out. 
I have to say it feels good to get such feedback and from strangers.  Okay, I am not being entirely honest.  It feels GREAT!  It makes me feel that maybe this love of mine, this passion for writing is not too terribly unpleasant for others to read.  The website has over 8000 members so it is good to feel like I am getting my name out there among those most interested in my genre. 

Also of an exciting note.  My sister's best friend is a librarian for a private HS in Illinois that is directed under the University of Illinois.  This friend has read my book several months ago and has asked several times for updates on when it might become available so she can order it for her library and possibly set up a book signing there.  I have heard recently that she has also put it on her Pinterest page and has had lots of emails regarding it.  So double YAY!

As far as the book goes: we are working on the cover art.  The artist is currently in the reading the book/coming up with preliminary write ups for cover ideas stage.  We finished writing the teaser for the back of the book so keep an eye on the publisher's website for an update there to show the book plot description added to my profile.  All in all, I feel pretty happy about the whole thing.  Cross your fingers that when it is finally published that this Pinterest, library book signings, and online JA fans can combine to make me enough money to take my family to Panera to celebrate!  :)