Emily Dickinson wrote that "Publication - is the auction of the Mind of Man." And, although I truly love her poetry, or at least that which I think I understand, I detect a note of bitterness there. She wrote hundreds and hundreds of poems and only a few were published in her lifetime. She, essentially, stuffed them under her mattress. It is a scary thing to put out one's writings for publication and then sit back and wait for the response. A rejection hurts, but at least it's clear.
But I think acceptance for publication can be a scary thing, too. So now I have a new novel (a novella, actually) due to be published come June 22nd. Between now and then I will be working to promote it, and after June 22nd, working to make it known and, hopefully, a success. My first definition of success for this book (working title, Keeping to Himself) is that people who read it will be glad they did. My second definition, to be candid, is that thousands of people will buy it and enjoy.
As we journey forward to that release date in late June, I will keep you, dear readers, up to date with the progress toward actually having the book available to hold in your hand (it isn't heavy, this novella is only about 140 pages). Lots of steps to go, and we can take them together. Stay tuned.
