So, this is the month where I creep one number closer to the big 5-0 (47 and counting, if anyone is keeping score.) Fortunately for me, 47 is the new, oh, 45, so I barely even feel it. Barely. This year, my publisher gave me a nice distraction…they published my latest book this month! Now that’s a great birthday present right there, y’all.

Yes, it’s true, I’ve been around since forever, and have had more than a few books hit the stands, but let me tell you, it never gets old. In fact, it’s still an event, each and every time. Sure, by the time the public sees it, I’ve already held the final product in my hand, as my publisher sends advance copies my way (bless their wonderful hearts.) And yes, tearing open that box and holding my latest baby in my hot little hands, even standing in my own foyer, is an event in and of itself (what, you think I carry the box somewhere before tearing it open? Heck, I make the Fed Ex guy stand there and celebrate with me. He’s such a trooper. Not to mention he makes those blue shorts work. But I digress.)

Still, it’s not really real until I see it gracing an actual bookshelf in an actual bookstore. Hence The Ritual. Aka The Trip. The Viewing. The Big Day.

The entirety of this event includes going to my local bookstore and standing in the romance aisle, scanning the K’s until…yes, wait for it….THERE IT IS! It’s not a dream, it wasn’t some huge scam, no, no, it’s really my book, that I spent what felt like another lifetime writing, right there, out in public, where anyone can see it, and (be still my heart) buy it. Now, the trick is to look like an average, ordinary book shopper. Albeit one who has an enormously goofy grin on her face, but otherwise, the rule is Draw No Attention. Which is why I now go alone on my little First Viewing jaunts. No matter what I say, or how nicely I phrase my desire to keep it private and personal, friends and family just can’t believe that it’s not about telling Every Last Person In The Store that THE AUTHOR is standing Right There. The horror. No, really.

I just want my own little personal moment of vindication. My little moment to nod and realize that yes, once again, I’ve beaten the odds and actually really done this. Okay, so maybe I scoot the other books over, turn mine face out, dust them off a little and make sure they’re displayed properly, but it’s all done quickly and quietly. Then I leave and go treat myself to a smoothie and get back to work. And, oh, about three paragraphs later, I’m convinced it will never happen again. It’s what keeps me going.

Thanks for letting me share my “moment” with you. Shh, don’t tell anyone!

By the way…if you secretly dream of having your own “moment” then check out our Novella Contest on our home page. Maybe I’ll be bumping into you someday. I’ll be the one in the K section. Doing a little rearranging. And smiling.