More Books, More Hugs

So, two weeks ago I announced that Standup Guy is now officially available on Amazon (in paperback, ebook, and on KU). If you read and enjoyed Knockout Girl, then you definitely won't want to miss this super satisfying conclusion. If you have not had a chance to read Knockout Girl, no worries! But when you're finished, please leave me a review on my Goodreads page  or on Amazon (and I'll love you forever and ever!) 

If you've read Standup Guy, you'll have noticed I left you with another first chapter to a new book. Don't worry! I don't have an official release date for that one right now, but I do plan to publish it sometime this summer. If you would like to keep updated on anything new I'm coming out with, I've just recently started a mailing list. I likely won't send out too many things but if you want to join, click here or click on the "subscribe" tab above.

I have some more really exciting stuff planned for this year, including a redesign and re-release of My Best Friend's Brother/The Summer I Turned into a Girl. Take a peek at the unofficial new cover:

Before I sign off, I just have to say how incredibly grateful, proud, and happy I am for all of the people who have helped me along my self-publishing journey. As I always say, there is no such thing as "self-publisihing." Whether you helped with the actual writing, editing, or design process, or you just "liked" my posts in support, or you were just there to say "Tasja, calm down, everything is okay," then I want you to know I will never be able to adequately express my grattitude. I hope we stay friends for a long, long time and that someday, I may be able to repay you.

Thank you! Here's a virtual hug (physical ones can be given to those within hugging distance).

- Natasja

LOTR and Self Publishing

Publishing a book myself makes me feel very much like Frodo taking the Ring into Mordor. You know, he's just a little guy with a huge quest and there's no way he could ever get it done. Imagine that scene in Rivendell where everyone's deciding what should be done with the Ring.

Then suddenly it's you standing up, saying, "I will do it. I will tell the story, and I will publish the book."

A hush falls over everyone as they all turn to look at you with a mixture of fear and admiration on their faces. Then someone says, "Then you have my cover art."

"And my type-setting."

"And you can't go anywhere without my editing."

"Or my marketing skills."

Then, of course, your best friends barge in telling you that there's no way you're going to leave them behind. And while the publishing world isn't quite the fiery depths of Mordor, it's still a very scary place to go to all by yourself. Therefore, don't leave home without your Samwise Gamgee. I am not kidding about this. "Self-publishing" is a team effort, and all of my close friends and family know it. It's a scary world out there. Don't leave without help... and maybe take Orlando Bloom with you, too.

In other words... Thanks for all your help. You know who you are.

- Natasja