Firekind's Release!
Firekind has been out in the world for a week!
On a sunny spring Tuesday, May 17, 2022, the book baby I’ve been nurturing for ten years made its debut. In some ways, it was just another day on the calendar, which made the experience surreal; from one minute to the next, I had difficulty pinning down my emotions. I had to force myself to be present, but I still feel like I missed the moment, like I was only half there, observing life happening to me.
The mister (Jeremy) bought me some amazing flowers (see picture below), and we walked down to https://www.theroyalmusichall.com/ to celebrate. We sat on the patio and enjoyed the breeze, shared some kimchi fries from the ramen place next door, and had sangria and champagne. The beauty of nature around us and the flavor of the food and drink helped me anchor the experience. It was delightful way to wrap up my special day.
Why didn’t I have a release party? My son (Will) graduated from high school four days earlier, and we threw a party for him. It was an amazing time with great memories, and I left it all on the field for his event. This avoid-the-spotlight-at-all-costs introvert wasn’t ready for another party.
When the sequel, Firedawn, releases in November, maybe I’ll have a party, and celebrate both releases. But it will probably be a small event at our house with close friends. I won’t skip the cake this time! Hopefully, I’ll be able to be more present for book two’s release and enjoy it. (mental-health goals!)
But honestly, for me, the real celebration is hearing from readers; how they enjoyed my strange little fantasy story, their surprise and delight when they reach the last page. Hearing about the details they noticed, the moments that had them cringing, reading faster, or cheering on my characters. The moment when they ask, “will there be a next book? Please tell me there’s a next book!” (best compliment an author could ever hope for!)
The messages I’ve received on Instagram and Facebook from friends I haven’t seen in years (and some writer friends I’ve only known online), posting pictures of my book – all of it still stuns me! I feel a strange mixture of honor and joy, but also of anxiety. It’s a big responsibility, to entertain someone you respect for 400+ pages. The stakes seem really high. I feel like a fawn wobbling around on new author legs, bracing for a mountain lion attack from the shadows (FYI the mountain lion is my inner-critic/anxiety. My friends are saints!).
It's scary to be out in the open grounds of authorship. But it’s also a necessary and important risk if I want readers to enjoy the stories I’ve labored over for years, if I want to be an author. Creativity is at its best when it’s authentic in expression and generously given. Because what else is all the effort for, if not to share it?
I will end with this: being a published author is a joy and a privilege. I’ve had this goal for over fifteen years, and I’m truly grateful to live it. I may never see any royalties from my work (that’s an entire other post!) but if I ever do, I’m going to give back a portion of whatever I earn, to express my gratitude. Now onwards and upwards, always!
