Today's the big day!

Early readers, my book needs your help. If you enjoyed What She Inherits, please take a moment to post a review on Amazon or GoodReads! 

Thanks for all your support!

Well, friends, I got the bad news today. Kindle Scout has passed on my book, surely their loss, because it's a good novel and one that I know my readers will enjoy.

When I decided to try a Kindle Scout campaign, I knew that public failure was an option, and it was the scariest part about the whole endeavor. As a writer, I am accustomed to rejection. I've racked up nearly 100 agent rejections for this novel alone. But those rejections are private. This time, since I asked all of you to help, I also find myself having to admit defeat, and let me tell you, it is not fun.

Even though Kindle Scout chose to pass on my book, I am proud of the work I put into my campaign and I am so grateful for all of your support throughout. I hope you'll read What She Inherits when it comes out in early 2017 (details to follow); I hope you won't think less of it for being self-published.

As for the good news: I'm working on putting in place a marketing plan for my book launch, and I'll have an exact publication date soon, so stay tuned!

Well, friends, the public phase of my Kindle Scout campaign is finally over. Sigh of relief. And now, the worst part begins. I thought the endless self-promotion was the worst part, but now I remember how miserable waiting is.

This morning, I got an email alerting me that my book is now "in review." The email also said, "You will receive an email from us in the next few business days notifying you whether your book has been selected for publication by Kindle Press." Oh boy. Next few business days... So for the next few business days checking my email will be torture.

Thank you for all your support for the past thirty days. If you'd like to see the final stats of my campaign, scroll down to the bottom of this post.

Stay tuned for updates!

"The story unfolds in a way that is both heartfelt and suspenseful. The characters are interesting and strong, tender and real. This novel makes readers examine their own relationships and think about what family really means."

We've crossed the half-way point of my Kindle Scout Campaign! It's going really well. My book was "Hot and Trending" for the all of first ten days and for part of each of the days since. Lots of new readers have discovered it, and I'm cautiously optimistic about the possible outcome.

Since I'm sure you're all tired of hearing me tell you about the book, I asked my kind beta readers, who already did me the favor of reading earlier drafts and helping me perfect the novel, to do one more favor and to share their thoughts.

Full disclosure, all of my beta readers were my family and friends, people who know and love me, and are therefore, obviously totally unbiased.  They are also remarkably eloquent; they've definitely done a better job describing the book than I have. The quote at the the top of this post was from one of them, and here's what the rest had to say:

"What She Inherits is an intriguing tale of discovery and reconciliation...This wonderful ghost story will enthrall you from its beginning and captivate you to its surprising conclusion." *

"Exceptional book! I was drawn in immediately by the twists and turns and enthralled by the mysticism ... The unexpected genetic predispositions put the characters on a collision course with much at stake. A GREAT READ! " *

"I loved the way the two seemingly unrelated storylines wove together—unexpected, sad, and hopeful at the same time."

*Spoilers removed!

My Kindle Scout campaign has been up-and-running for one week, and I have been blown away by the response so far. In addition to voting, so many of you have offered kind words about the cover, blurb, and sample chapters, and I have appreciated it. I've been working on this so long, trying to get it just right, and it makes me so happy to know that my efforts are working.

Thanks to all of you who visited the campaign and nominated What She Inherits! Due to your efforts, the book has been "hot and trending" since the day it launched!

So far, visits from people who found about my campaign on social media or my website account for slightly less than half of the total views. The rest are people who came to the Kindle Scout site, noticed my book in the listings, and viewed it. 

As the week has gone on the ratio has began to gradually shift towards more views from within Kindle Scout than from external links, which is a sign of success. It means people who don't know me, who aren't my friends and family and Twitter followers, are taking an interest in the novel. Of course those people wouldn't have found the book at all if it weren't from traffic you all provided by visiting the page!  

In the end the editors will decide whether or not to publish my book, but I can't help but feel cautiously optimistic. Even if Kindle Scout doesn't pick it, I can only consider the experience a success. I was honestly terrified to take on a public effort at getting a publishing contract. No one wants to risk public failure. Now, though, I realize that I have a lot of people in my corner, and that is the best sign of success I could ask for.

Just so you know, I cannot see who has nominated the book, so if you'd like me to know you've cast a vote, drop me a note or menion it on social media!

Still haven't nominated?! Click here!

Thank you all for the support you've shown since I announced my Kindle Scout campaign! My readers are the best!

Hello friends!

Thanks for your kind response to my cover reveal last week. When I first shared it, I mentioned that there would be opportunities for you, my loyal readers, to score advance copies of the book, and today I want to tell you about the first of those!

Here's the short version:

If you'd like a FREE ADVANCE COPY of What She Inherits, click the "Visit Kindle Scout Now!" button below and nominate my book for the Kindle Scout program!

When you visit Kindle Scout, you can also learn more about the book and read a sample of the first few chapters.

To learn more about what Kindle Scout is, why I'm submitting my book to it, and how you can help me make this novel a success, read on!

Well, ladies and gentlemen, it's official! I'm continuing down the path of self-publishing with my third novel, What She Inherits.

I anticipate an early 2017 publication date.

Why so long, you ask? I know you're all eager to read it, and I hate to keep you waiting, but I've decided to take a slow and steady pace as I get this book ready for public consumption. For my other books, I had only the vaguest notions of what a book launch marketing plan might look like. Now I have a much clearer idea and I plan to have a plan this time around.

Don't worry, though, loyal readers like you will have opportunities to snag advance copies, so stay tuned!

For now, you'll have to be satisfied with the possibilities presented by this lovely cover art. It looks like a book you want to read, doesn't it?