Kari's Kave: "I'm a National Bestselling Author!"

"I'm a National Bestselling Author!"

Those are the words my editor told me yesterday, and I am still in awe and shock and disbelief. Words we dream about, words we strive for, words we work our butts off to achieve....and then pray our efforts pay off. I simply never imaged those words would apply to me this soon.

This journey has been a long one for me. I wrote for 14 years before I sold, and 3 of which were with my agent. Just when I was about to give up, she landed me two 3-book deals at two different houses just 5 months apart.

But selling is just the beginning!

Selling is hard enough, but staying sold is even harder! No matter how big or small your publisher is, you still have to work very hard to get the word out. I've learned that the hard way. Start early and make a plan, then put yourself out there and be "everywhere!" Especially as a new author.

I love cozy mysteries, but this was my first attempt at writing one. I knew my idea was fun and would probably be appealing, but pulling off an actual mystery is not easy. You never know what will do well and what won't.

So cheers to all of you for supporting me and following me on this crazy, insane journey. Hope to see you on the shelves soon :-)

Now I'm taking a break and taking my kids to a water park for the day for some much needed fun in the sun! It's 2 hours away so if I don't chime in, you'll know why :-) My kids need me, and my brain needs a break!

Happy reading and writing!