A Great First Year

One year ago today I published Vampire Dreams. I sold 150 copies of Vampire Dreams that first month.  How far away that seems.  That little book, which in all honesty was a reaction to something I was dealing with professionally at the time, has alone sold over 14,000 copies to date and has consistently been an Amazon bestseller since last July. 

Vampire Dreams started something for me that exploded throughout the year.  In late June, Stolen Destiny was published by Siren Publishing. In July, I released Love's Master, the second novella in the Victorian Erotic Romance Trilogy.  In August, I released Masquerade, the third in the trilogy.  In October, I released Destiny Redeemed, a sequel to Stolen Destiny.  And then in December, I released the first book in the Sons of Navarus series, Blood Avenged. And just last week, I released the second book in the Sons series, Blood Betrayed. And along the way I compiled the three novellas into a one volume book.  Seven books and one compilation.  It's been a busy year.

It's been such a terrific year too.  I began this publishing journey with an epub but soon found that indie was the way for me.  It's not just that I know what I'm selling and where I'm selling.  It's the feeling that I get when I know that from start to finish, from the first word through the cover art, and to the last edit that I was in charge of producing a book that is the best it can be.

A lot has changed in the past year.  I went from having one small novella to eight books for sale.  I have swag--me! I have a street team of great people who want to tell the world about my books.  That's something I'd never imagined at this time last year.  My books have been mentioned in national magazines and local newspapers and in places around the world I only dream of visiting some day (when I get to do this writing thing full time and leave the day job behind!). I've got a FB page, a FB fan page, and the Sons even have a FB page. I can't tell you how many incredible people I've met on those in the past year. I'm on Twitter and Pinterest, where everyday people follow me because they've liked my books or heard good things about them and each time they retweet one of my messages or pin one of my book covers, I'm still in awe that they've done that for little ole' me.

This hasn't been a solo effort, though.  I have to mention the people who helped me have such a fantastic year.  Elaina Lee created those gorgeous beginning covers, and if you knew how particular I am with everything, you'd know I was probably tough to work with.  And Talina Perkins has been the creative juggernaut behind the Sons of Navarus covers and ALL my swag (bookmarks, cover flats, posters) and the banners like the one at the top of the blog for each book.  You ladies have made my covers and graphics stunning.  Thank you! 

And thanks to my editor, Yvonne, who's amazing too.  She catches things I swear I would never find. Spaces?  How the hell does she find extra spaces?  As an editor, she goes above and beyond to make sure my books are clean.  That's important, especially as an indie.

And my beta readers are fantastic!  I can't thank each of you enough for giving me feedback on every book I send you. Your place in the creation of a book is so important, even if you think you're just giving me your opinion.

A huge thanks to the members of my Street Team.  Nicole Garcia is a Street Team leader extraordinaire, and those team members are so fabulous. Thanks so much, ladies, for helping me get the word out about my books. You're the best!

Thanks to the bloggers who have welcomed me to their homes on the web.  I appreciate your time and your help in getting an unknown indie author's work out to the world.  There are too many to name, but you know who you are. Thanks!

Last, but certainly not least, are the readers.  You've made this past year such an overwhelming success for me.  I can't say enough about romance readers.  You rock!  I'm so thankful to have readers like you.  The rest of the Sons are headed your way this year and next (if I keep writing at the pace I have been) and then who knows? 

I'm so thankful to everyone who's joined me along the way.  It's been a great time so far, and it's only just begun.