an author's humility

thank you for all of your support, purchases, encouraging reviews, comments and private messages on my latest release
The Glass House

It's pretty difficult to not be humbled when I receive tweets like this at the announcement
that my book was available for purchase:

I was indeed humbled.  I thought about this girl sitting at work getting all giddy over my book.  It made me want to cry.  Who am I that she should be excited about my work?! Or that I get to stay home and write all day? It made me realise how much I love my 'job'.  Seeing this, well, it makes it all so very worth it.  It truly made me smile.  The Glass House is my personal best writing.  Without a doubt.  It's my favourite book in the series, it was the furthest I've ever pushed myself, and one petty reviewer aside who criticised me for word choice and spelling (I've lived on both sides of the Atlantic, worked and paid taxes there too - my spelling fluctuates!!), the reviews are saying the same thing.  I work just under eighty hours every week (and have since going fultime a few months ago) writing, blogging, promo'ing, etc anyway.  But this one really did have all of my heart and soul in a way I hadn't expected.  Book V promises to be that too, and hopefully, it will be better. 

Not too shabby on Amazon.co.uk for placing in three categories!

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I usually do much better on Amazon.com, but I guess the UK liked Waldorf Manor better this time around

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the reviews have been inspiring, and so very touching. 

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And then there's my beta-reader . . . Ellie.  This girl has been an author's greatest companion (after her editor, of course :) ), who has hit deadlines so I can hit mine.  We've never met but we are friends online and she works for me on my manuscripts as if we were in an office together.  This girl catches my inconsistencies and whatever else isn't clarified.  I'm very thankful for Ellie.  She makes comments that are true, even if they are hard to swallow.  She compliments what deserves to be complimented, and she asks me loads of questions to get me to a place of certainty. 

I'm also very appreciate of my editor, whose near greatest talent is her encouragement.  If ever I'm about to melt down, have to add something, need more time - she's the one who says, 'is there anything I can do? How is it going? Do you have any questions? Your ranking is XX and I'm so proud." A writer might not *need* that, but as a person, I do.  And I'm grateful. 

Lastly, before I get all emotional again, my cover designer, Marie.  She lives in Australia.  I met her in person once, sort of by accident (not really), and I ended up sharing my books with her.  She told me she did graphic design.  We connected after she got home from her trip to America.  The rest is history. I love this girl.  She is truly a gifted designer with a very keen eye for what looks good on a cover.  She'd not afraid to say, 'that looks horrid.'  My words, not hers.  But we agree on what looks good and what just doesn't. I wouldn't have anyone else do my covers - ever - if I were the boss of the world.

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and this, well . . . when I receive comments like this, there is nothing to boast about.  This is how an author learns what humility is.  Nothing but true thanks to my readers for loving my work. 

Thank you xox