Santa (also known as The UPS Man) brought author copies of my August release Operation Prince Charming!
It’s a huge thrill to get a call from an NYC editor saying, “I want to buy your book.” Holding it in your hands for the first time, after countless hours of writing, editing, revising and reading it over and over (again and again), is an even bigger one.
With all three of my releases, I immediately flipped through to make sure all the pages were there and in the right order. Then I tried not to get the books wet with happy tears.
Your turn, published authors. What’s the first thing you do when you finally see your book? If you’re a pre-published writer, what’s the first thing you expect to do when you hold your book in your hands?
Operation Prince Charming is already in-stock and shipping from both Amazon and Barnes and Noble’s websites! It hits bookstores July 27th!
Woot woot, Phyllis! May your books fly off the shelves!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all I take photos of the books in the box - just like you did! I take a copy out and hold it in my hands, and take photos of that too. I call my sister and my son and the friends who 'get it' to share the good news, then that first copy gets pride of place on my bedhead bookshelf.
I'm too jazzed at that point to look through and check anything. That comes later, when I get past the just-lying-in-bed-and-staring-at-it-on-the-shelf phase.
Congratulations Phyllis! I hope they indeed fly off the shelves. When I got mine, my reaction was definitely not like yours. I looked at the box, thought "nice, now what do I do with them?" I was still in a daze and had no idea what was expected of a published author.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter was more excited, and jumped about with joy. Since then, everytime she goes into a bookstore (or the library), she drags me to the romance section to see if my book is there.
Thanks Liane and Jewel. I'm a huge worrier. So I'm always afraid they'll be a hundred page 20's or something.
ReplyDeleteI also remember my 'first' sighting of both of your books. Liane, I first saw yours in B&N. Jewel, I found your in Walmart.
Yes, I remember. The photo you sent me was the first image I got of my book in a store. I kept it as my desktop background for simply ages, and I'm keeping that picture forever! Then there was the little matter of transcribing the RT review for me...
ReplyDeleteThanks again, Phyllis. You deserve all success!
Just plain cool!
ReplyDeleteCongrats! I can't wait to get it and read it.
ReplyDeleteWhen I get author copies for a new book, I take one and read it cover to cover, checking for errors and picking out parts that would work if I got up the never to do a public reading. LOL. And that is probably the last time I read the novel cover to cover ever again. I also send out a bunch of review copies.
That's GREAT! I'm so happy for you. I haven't been fortunate enough to see my name on a book cover yet, but when I got my agent, my husband was asleep, so I had a little jump-up-and-down party with my dog, who had no idea what was going on!
ReplyDeleteYay you! I know you are totally excited! (Do I sound like a valley girl or what? Totally...)
ReplyDeleteWhen I got my author copies I just held them and stacked them on my bookshelf like a mini Barnes and Noble. You're about to be very busy my friend! Congrats again!
I can not WAIT to read!!
ReplyDelete@Charles - Thanks!
ReplyDelete@Gwyneth - I haven't actually read one of mine in book form. My last read is when I turn in the corrected galley. Read aloud. Yikes!
@Stephanie - when you sell we're gonna party all over Nashville!
@Katrina - LOL @ the B&N stack!
@B - You are so sweet! Looking forward to seeing your name on the spine of a beauty book!
I do love that cover. I love when the books arrive. I just stare at it for a long, long time. :)
ReplyDeleteOh how beautiful. I don't know what I'll do when I finally get a book in print. I'm sure I'll cry. A lot.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your latest novel and its release tomorrow and I will definitely pick up two copies - one for myself and the other for my daughter.
ReplyDeleteThis comment section reads like a whose who of authors. I am really feeling the readers. Looks like Novel Spaces has changed its layout as well. Nice.
If I can ever get published, I imagine the first thing I will do is smile and nod at the fact that my story is told.
Congratulations Phyllis! Your book cover looks wonderful. Can't wait to get my own copy.
ReplyDeletePhyllis,
ReplyDeleteI'm like Farrah. I stare at the cover a long, long time. I can't believe it's really my name on the cover. I then carefully open the cover and start to read, praying I didn't miss something really important when I made my last corrections.
It's so exciting and I can't wait to get my copy. I'm going out this evening to get it. I don't want to order, it will take too long. LOL
Congrats!
Congrats on the new book! When I get to that point, I think I will stare at them forever, then read it like I never read it before, then call everyone to get a copy!
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