Well, it’s official: a second book launch is just as exciting as the first. 🙂
Once again we had a fabulous turnout (in spite of the Ottawa Senators’ playoff game!), great food and wine, and a wonderful venue. I was utterly thrilled to meet readers who didn’t know me personally, but who came simply because they’d read and loved the first book — and by the return of Carmel from Rabid Reads and Julie from Yummy Men & Kick Ass Chicks (Julie brought me this lovely balloon bouquet):
For all the people who couldn’t be in Ottawa for the occasion last night, I want to share the same words with you as I did with those who turned out — because they pertain to you as well:
Writing is usually thought of as a solitary profession. And if you don’t count the voices in a writer’s head, it can certainly seem that way sometimes. But the truth is, most writers have an entire village around them on their journes. We have writer friends who lead us by example; critique partners and beta readers who offer advice and much-needed feedback. We have personal friends who listen to our dreams ad nauseum without pointing out the massive potholes in the road we’ve chosen to follow. We have agents and editors who take a chance on us, and copyeditors, artists, proofreaders, and dozens of other behind-the-scenes supporters who ensure our work is the best it can be. We have families who endure our mood swings, absentmindedness, and outright neglect, all the while believing in us even when we fail to believe in ourselves. And we have readers. Readers who buy our books, follow us into the worlds we’ve created, and share their enthusiasm so generously with both us and with other readers.
Tonight, I would like to thank my village. Friends, family, readers, booksellers. Each of you has played a role in my standing here now with not one but two books launched into the world. I couldn’t have done it without you, and I am deeply, eternally grateful to each and every one of you. Thank you all so much for your support!
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