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Birth of a book


May's theme here is all about motherhood.

Giving birth to my daughter was pretty darn special, but giving birth to my first mass market paperback Strange Neighbors has had some eerie similarities. And in some ways it was harder!

When I conceived the series, i.e. submitted it, I was hopeful but not counting on anything. Then I received the call. That was back in December of 2008. Natually, I was completely elated! It was the same when I learned my daughter was on the way.

Once I signed the contract I had to work with my editor (i.e. Doctor) to make sure everything was going well. Those early conversations, revisions and edits were like regular check-ups and prenatal vitamins. Very important!

I'd like to say it took only 9 months for that beautiful healthy manuscript to become a full fledged book I could hold and love, but it was more like a year! Okay, so that's not unusual in print publishing--but it seemed like an eternity!

My daughter came a week early. I landed in the hospital the very night my surprise baby shower was to be held. My book released a week earlier than I had expected too, catching me by surprise! Don't get me wrong...I'm not complaining on either account! Waiting is one of the hardest parts.

Now I celebrate! My official book launch party is June second, right here. I like to think of it as the family party. I hope as many family members and friends as possible will show up and help me drink that Champagne that's been chilling in the fridge!

Thank you to my publisher Dominique, editor Deb, and all my Casa sisters for helping me get to this point. I'm already enjoying all the oo's and ah's my book is getting from readers and reviewers.

Ash
P.S. My first born's little brother should be making its debut in Feb 2011--9 months from now.

Comments

  1. Big congratulations on the realease! You already know I loved it and I can't wait to read the second book!

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  2. Congrats on the release and enjoy the birth of your book!!!

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  3. It must be too early for me. I was thinking, how does she know she's having a boy so early? Duh!

    Congrats on the book release (and the February one, too). We're release buddies this month!

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  4. You know, my 2 birth experiences were not horrible by some standards (and I know how bad childbirth can be) but they were definitely not fun. I was happy to be done with 2! LOL! But no matter how terrible giving birth is, it is over in a day or so at most, maybe a bit longer if you count the recovery.

    Giving birth to a book goes on for AGES! Kind of like having severe Braxton Hicks for months on end! Ha!

    But in the end we have a wonderful product - a child or a book - that is a part of who we are. Yes, it is worth all the pain. :)

    Congrats on the upcoming release of #2. It never gets old, trust me.

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  5. Writing and publishing a book is VERY much like childbirth, and you feel almost as strong an attachment to your book "baby" as you do your own child. The praise is music to your ears, but the criticism cuts like a knife.
    Congrats on the new release and the next "child"!

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  6. I think you forgot to add how beautiful your baby is! Love the cover--assume that's like looking at chubby cheeks, dark blue eyes, and blushing pink rosebud lips.

    Congratulations!
    Amelia

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  7. Thank you, everyone!

    Yes, Kris, you were one of the first to hold my baby and say lovely the things a mother so enjoys hearing.

    Shana, LOL! No Champagne for you, girl! More coffee!

    Yup, you know exactly what it's like, Sharon--and you're right, it's totally worth it!

    Cheryl, you couldn't be more right about how devestating it can be to hear your baby's ugly. I think it happens to all of us at some point, and the trick is to remember--as my dad used to say--you can't dance with everybody.

    Amelia, thank you for noticing how beautiful it is! The actual cover even has sparkles on it! (sigh) I'm such a proud mama.

    Ash

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  8. Super huge congrats on your book birthday!

    Best of all, no stretch marks.

    Tawna

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  9. Congratulations on the new release Ashlyn!!!

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  10. I was going to mention how great Strange Neighbors looks in person--it's a shame we can't somehow show the sparkles :)

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  11. The book looks great!

    I'd add that one of the hardest things about birthing a book is even after all the hard work you put into it, you don't get to hold it for ages. I can't wait to hold my "baby" in my hands at long last. Alas, I've still got months of waiting. How did it feel to hold your "baby" for the first time, Ashlyn?

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  12. Oh, Olivia...I don't know how to express it. The ARC was fantastic, but when I got the real thing, well, I couldn't do much of anything for the rest of the day. Too excited to concentrate.

    Ash

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  13. Congrats Ashlyn. Your analogy is so apropos. Now that I've been following author blogs, know the completion date of a book & the pub date, I know the gestation period is like an elephant - 22 months (or it just feels that way).

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  14. Congratulations, Ash! I can't wait to read "Strange Neighbors." It sounds like just my kind of book! Enjoy basking in the limelight!

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  15. Congrats on the release. I can't wait to read it.

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  16. Congrats Ash!

    They are our babies, aren't they?

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  17. Congratulations! Your "babies" are beautiful! You have every reason to be a proud mommy!

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  18. GREAT analogy, Ashlyn! Congrats on your first! :)

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