Monday, November 5, 2012

Loud and Sane

So ROUGE comes out in a week.

This release is different from TTAF in that I actually planned a release date, organized reviews way in advance, and have been telling people it's coming...

It's given me way more time to over-think the whole thing.

On Goodreads
Good bloggy friend Sarah Fine did a funny post last week about her brain's opposite responses to bad reviews (link).

It's hilarious, and it's making me think of my brain approaching release date.

Smart brain tells me to relax and get some work done. Sneaky brain is trying to freak out and throw up all the reasons no one is going to buy my new book...

My oldest daughter gave me some encouragement last week. It went like this:

Cat: What's wrong, Mom?
Me: I've got a new book coming out, and I hope people will want to buy it and read it.
Cat: Why wouldn't they?
Me: Well, I hope they don't think, "We've already bought one of her books. We're done with her."
Cat: Don't worry, Mom. If they're like me with the Warriors books, they'll buy it no matter how bad it is.
Me: Oh, well, I don't think it's bad...

Some of you might remember me talking about my first editorial "boss" Susan. Remember my post about the British-Irish-Jewish, very proper tea time observer? (link)

She had catch-phrases like "keep calm." (This was before those posters were everywhere.) She also commonly advised us not to "quietly go insane" when things felt out of control. (LOL!)

So Five Things To Do While I Wait for ROUGE to Release (besides quietly going insane):

#1-Family time! (You know, writer-friends, we don't get to do this enough. Bonus: my parents are visiting!)

#2-Make the bloggy rounds. (See what you guys are up to; always fun!)

#3-Finish critting Susan Quinn's newest MS. (Be jealous. It is AWESOME!)

#4-Meet Dr. Q. in person on Thursday. (Yeah, I am!)

#5-Finish my guest posts...

Also, if you're interested on 11/12, I'm participating in this:

Photobucket

It's a funny, "Down with Captcha" blogfest-party. Want to join? Sign up here (link).

Have a great week, reader- and writer-friends! Whatever happens, stay loud and stay sane<3

27 comments:

Natalie Aguirre said...

I imagine everyone worries like you when their book comes out. So excited for you.

And it sounds like you've got a great strategy to handle it all.

Jessica Bell said...

I think you should add, "put up with Jessica's incessant emails!" :P

Sarah said...

I'm so glad my post made you laugh--and think! Those little discouraging doubts are definitely the province of Sneaky Brain. As long as you know you HAVE a Smart Brain to argue back, you'll be in great shape :)

And I wish I could join the Down with Captcha blogfest, but I'm featuring Maureen McGowan on my blog that day and I'm excited about that!

Adrienne said...

What an exciting time for you! Try to enjoy it. And your daughter is hilarious, by the way. ;) Congratulations on the upcoming release!

Stina said...

You'll be fine, Leigh. Better than fine! You'll be awesome! :D

Pat Hatt said...

All will go great, sounds like you got a full plate, with all your ducks in a row and will be able to shout err umm bingo haha

Hart Johnson said...

"Don't worry, Mom. If they're like me with the Warriors books, they'll buy it no matter how bad it is."

Okay, THIS is fabulous! And I was forced to read about 4 too many Warrior books, so I know EXACTLY what Cat is talking about.

You are going to do FINE, Leigh. It's an amazing book. I honestly think the audience is a little different than for TTAF, so you should get NEW readers.

Creepy Query Girl said...

Totally curious about what the Captcha blogfest is about! Don't sweat the book release! Sure, I say that, but I know I'd be in nail-biting mode too if it were me.

Lydia Kang said...

So excited for your Rouge release, and I LOVE your cover! Jolene did an awesome job!

RaShelle Workman said...

Of course everyone will buy your book. It sounds awesome. I know I'll buy it.

Janet Johnson said...

Yay! Your parents are in town. :) I love dropping the writing for good things like visits.

And your writing is awesome! Yes, people will buy your book. :)

Jennifer Shirk said...

Ha! That's so funny. I worry about the same thing!
Loved your daughter's "pep" talk. LOL!

Old Kitty said...

Oh noes, scary man is sticking his tongue out at me! LOL!!

Yay for having productive things to do whilst waiting for your Rouge release!!

Take care
x

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Leigh - I had to skip ze nose man and craptcha catchas ... but great you've got plans to take your mind off your release date - enjoy your parents visiting - and as Jennifer says .. your daughter's "pep" talk .. fun! Cheers and all will be well .. and happy and lots of buys .. Hilary

PK HREZO said...

Oh I missed your cover reveal but it is AWESOME!! Love it!
And how exciting you're meeting Dr. Q for the first time! Hope you ladies have fun. And don't worry. Your book will do wonderfullly. :D

Talli Roland said...

I nearly have a mental breakdown each time a book comes out! :) I'm not sure which is better: to do it stealthily or to create some hoopla. They're both vom-inducing.

I can't wait to read Rouge!

Ella said...

Love the 5, but you knew I would, lol
What fun! I'm excited for you~
enJOY, the ride your brain is on...
Plan a celebration ;D lots of rouge!
<3 555

Summer Ross said...

I wish I had some witty advise for you, or something that made the whole waiting process better- but all I can off is a small morsel of a smile with something funny:

what is silent and sparkles?
A fairy fart.

Have a good day.

Kelly Polark said...

No worries. Both of your books are amazing!

And you get to meet Susan this week? Me too! At prairie Writers Day on Saturday!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Ah, yes, quietly going insane... I do that on a regular basis. You'll be fine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Vicki Rocho said...

Hell, if you're going to go insane, you ought to make some NOISE! Dontcha think? If for no other reason than to keep the rest of us entertained.... :)

It's gonna be okay. Really.

Matthew MacNish said...

I showed my whole family that status about your daughter and the Warriors books, and we laughed and laughed ...

M Pax said...

Congrats on the new one, Leigh! I'll buy it. :D

I feel the same way about my new one. Official launch next week. Then I'm under deadline for the next Backwordls, too. Gah. Maybe I'll make Husband unit make Thanksgiving this year.

Coleen Patrick said...

I love your daughter's response--Why wouldn't they?
Awesome. :)
Hope you have a great (sane!) weekend.

LisaAnn said...

Woohoo! Can't wait for your next one... I'm almost done with Delirium, and then TTAF is next! :)

Tammy Theriault said...

congrats on rouge!! what a cute cover! your daughter is funny...

new follower - hi!

LTM said...

Thanks so much, Tammy! Yes, Catherine is a hoot! Welcome to the party~ :D <3