From Monica’s phenominal pitch boot camp that instilled me with the courage to do the pitch, and do a great job, to Chiron’s weekly motivational essays on the Challenge Forum, I have been constantly surrounded by fellow writers that are incredibly supportive.  So, group hug everyone!

I have also learned a lot along the way:

1. I learned that a lot of work goes into a work after you sign the contract.  I had no idea how many stages there were to it, and anyone who says e-publishers don’t edit has never dealt with my publisher…lol.  I always thought line edits and proofing were the same thing.  Uh, apparently not. Oh my!

2. I discovered that marketing yourself and getting your name out there is hard.  Very hard.  It is a lot of networking, and quite frankly, I have a lot to learn in this arena of it.

3. This publishing world is like a small fish bowl.  You never know who knows who. There is so much I could say about this one in particular, but I think that old saying sums it up best, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”

4. The only way to find out what I need to know and don’t is to get the courage to ask.  I have yet to not get an insightful and informed answer from the wonderful authors in this forum. They are here to help, if we just have the courage to ask.

5. Determination and hard work will pay off eventually, you just have to have the patience to see it through to the end.

There are so many more things, but those are my personal top 5 for what it’s worth. 

So, I am keeping this first post here short and simple.  Have a great Thanksgiving, to those celebrating.  And if you are one of the many and the brave facing the “Black Friday” shopping frenzy, may the force be with you.  And your credit cards, of course.