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Release Day for Letting Go

LG 3DToday’s the release of Letting Go, my first book!

Okay, I lied, on two counts. I’m writing this the night before my release date because I still have a day job—those teenagers won’t teach themselves—so I won’t have time to write a blog on my actual release date.

Count two? Letting Go isn’t actually my first book. My first book shall remain nameless and hidden deep, deep on my hard drive, never to see light of day. It was a cool concept, but the execution? Not so good. Most authors have at least one of these under-the-bed books, the term coined back when writers used typewriters or wrote by hand.

Everyone keeps asking me if I’m excited for my book release. To tell you the truth, I don’t know what I am. It’s really odd, almost like I’m having an out-of-body experience and I’m watching this whole event unfurl from afar. Reviews have already started trickling in from the ARCs (advance reader copies), and for that reason, I’ve avoided Goodreads like the plague. Before now, the only people who’ve read my work have been trusted friends and family, people who care if they hurt my feelings.

Okay, that’s not true, either. (Dang it! These lies keep flying onto the page!) I’ve entered my fair share of contests. Letting Go was actually a 2014 Golden Heart finalist. So anonymous judges have read my work. But I was just as anonymous—my name was not on the entry. Tomorrow (today for those reading this) marks the first time my book will be available en masse to anyone who wants to shell out the money to read it.

That’s scary. My students can read it. My co-workers can read it. My bosses can read it. My neighbors…you get the idea. And they’ll know I wrote it.

Weird. It’s just weird.

I’ve been a book nerd—ahem, book lover my whole life. I’m written off and on my whole life and started writing seriously with the intent of publication in the last few years. My release date is the realization of a dream for me.

And I’m still at a loss for how I feel. Numb, I think.

But I do know how I want my readers to feel. I want to take them out of their daily grind. I want them to lose themselves in Cori and Luke’s story. I want them to sigh with contentment as they finish that last page and close the virtual cover.

That’s why I write. If my book makes the reader keep turning the pages in anticipation, then I’ve done my job. If my book makes the reader feel something, then I’ve done my job.  If my book makes a reader’s world better, even if only for a few hours, then I’ve done my job.

And I’ve got to say…it’s a pretty cool freaking job. I can’t wait to see where it takes me next.

13 Comments on “Release Day for Letting Go

McCall Hoyle
May 26, 2015 at 9:15 am

Happy, happy book bday! I love this post! Here’s to many more book launches! Love!

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Jessica Ruddick
May 26, 2015 at 10:39 am

Thank you!

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Sarah Andre
May 26, 2015 at 9:38 am

Congratulations, Jessica and I mean that from every cell in my being! You DID it!!! I wish you all the luck in sales, and know we’ll be seeing your name attached to other novels for a long, long time. (Shared and tweeted.)

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Jessica Ruddick
May 26, 2015 at 10:40 am

Thank you! Your day is coming soon!

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pintipdunnwp
May 26, 2015 at 9:43 am

Love this post! Congrats, Jessica!!!! Way to realize your dreams!

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Jessica Ruddick
May 26, 2015 at 10:41 am

Thank you!

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PJ Sharon
May 26, 2015 at 10:43 am

Congrats on the new release! It is a surreal experience, for sure. Numbness is not an atypical response. I think it insulates us from getting so high off the experience that we come crashing down to Earth with a loud thud when we get that first “icky” review, LOL. The good news is that for every one of those nasties, we get a dozen or two readers who loved what we wrote and can’t wait for the next book. Hold onto your hat, my friend. It’s a wild ride and the numbness will wear off eventually:-)

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Jessica Ruddick
May 26, 2015 at 11:11 am

I hope so, PJ! I’ve been pretty zen about this whole release thing. It is a bit scary, though, for the reasons I mentioned. Hopefully my book will find those dozen readers you speak of!

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Amy Patrick (@AmyPatrickBooks)
May 26, 2015 at 10:54 am

Happy book birthday my sweet Dauntless sister! So proud of you and happy for you!! 🙂

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Jessica Ruddick
May 26, 2015 at 11:15 am

Thanks, Amy!

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Sharon Wray
May 26, 2015 at 3:16 pm

Happy Book Birthday, Jessica!!!!! So proud of you!!!!

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Jessica Ruddick
May 26, 2015 at 9:15 pm

Thank you, Sharon!

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Asa Maria Bradley
May 28, 2015 at 6:50 pm

I’m joining the party a little late, but was celebrating with you on Social Media on the actual day. I’m so happy for you though! I completely understand this part: “almost like I’m having an out-of-body experience and I’m watching this whole event unfurl from afar.” Does it feel any different now that your book baby is a few days old?

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