I'm sitting here tonight, absolutely stunned at the good fortune that's befallen me. So happy and blessed I am! And so very, very grateful to the powers that be and to Rick East, the author of the book we've published together.
Several months ago, Rick approached me and said he had a story to tell but he didn't quite know how to tell it. He asked for my help; first, as an editor but then later, he came back and informed me he thought I'd be happier as a co-author. I jumped at the chance, astonished that anyone would choose me to be their co-author!
The journey since has been wonderful. I've learned a bit more about the publishing industry that I knew before. I've made a new friend in Rick East, the author. Quite honestly, I have had a blast working on his story and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. From first draft to second draft to galleys, to cover art, to press releases, it's been a blur of hard work and exhilaration!
I gave this book my heart. I wanted to give it the voice it required with the emotion his story needed. Rick was fantastic to work with, I could not have asked for a better author to stand beside.
And so, today, at exactly noon, Rick texted me and said, "Our book is on Amazon. I'm so excited!" I remember gasping audibly in the hallway at work before shutting my phone off and then turning it back on again to read his text again! Seriously? Are you kidding me right now? We are on Amazon?
Back in my office, I clicked my mouse impatiently and waited, seemingly for an eternity, for Amazon to pop up. My heart began to race. It was hard to breathe. I struggled finding the book on the site and then, I typed my own name in and there it was. "A Glimpse of Glory: My Journey to Heaven and Back."
I was mesmerized; couldn't stop looking at it. Reality began wisping its finger around my face. I'm a real-life bona fide published author. It's what I've wanted, what I've dreamed of, all my life, since I was a little girl. I clicked off Amazon and tried to go back to work. Not possible. I clicked back on the site. I have a book on Amazon. Reality began digging me in the ribs, pretty hard. It's really happening.
Oh, all those months of writing and working and talking about press releases and book covers, it seems now I didn't realize back when we were putting this all together, that what I was staring at on my computer screen today would become a reality. I've read all about nearly-published authors whose deals fell through at the last minute, leaving them disappointed and desolate. Maybe the publishing house closed. Maybe the agent pulled out. There are a thousand "maybes." I pulled out my camera phone and took a picture of the Amazon page with my name and book cover on it.
And of course, then I had to text people.
Driving home, I found myself awestruck and so very grateful for all that I've been given the past several months. My hope is that Rick realize his vision for this book, because if that happens, then the book's done what it was supposed to do. And you'll have to read the book to see what it was meant to do.
I'd be happy for any of you reading this to order "A Glimpse of Glory: My Journey to Heaven and Back" on Amazon. Happy and pleased. Here is a link to Amazon: www.Amazon.com. Look for Rick East or for me or for "A Glimpse of Glory: My Journey to Heaven and Back."
Thank you.
