Next Steps to Publish

Scared! Photo courtesy of Lynn Kelley Author, Wanna Commons

I sent off the digital file of my novel. Here’s how that feels:
Imagine a small child, raised in a loving and supportive family, where everything she does is brilliant. One morning, the child is awakened, dressed, rushed through breakfast, taken to school, and left there by her parent. She stands in the classroom. A teacher is explaining the rules, and twenty-odd little faces are staring at her, sizing her up, judging her, deciding whether they will like her. Or not!
I am the parent, anxious, fearful, handing over my perfect baby to strangers. The baby I named, Missing Emily. I am also the wide-eyed child in the classroom of publishing, learning the next steps.
They come quickly: Have an author photo taken; write a great bio for the jacket cover; choose eBook, paperback, hardcover; work with an artist on cover design. All the while, wondering, worrying: Will readers like Missing Emily?
Today I will work on my acknowledgements page. So many wonderful people have helped me on this journey, it will take hours!
And I am so lucky to have a new angel guiding me, as I stumble down the path to Publish.