ARCs: This is My Story of Gratitude
Remember when I invited you on a journey leading up to the publication of my novel?
Well, here’s some GREAT big news – my ARCs have arrived! If you’re not familiar with that term, it’s an acronym for Advanced Reader Copy and it is one final revision away from the completed manuscript. Created by publishers, in my case, Sourcebooks Landmark, it is designed to send out to reviewers ahead of the release date, which for LITTLE LOVELY THINGS is now set for April 2, 2019 (yay!).
Overwhelming Gratitude
When the box arrived, I wasn’t prepared for my reaction. Keep in mind this is my debut novel so everything is new to me about this process. While I ’d heard it looks like the ‘real thing,’ I somehow wasn’t prepared to see a real live book with my name on it – in fact, five copies of real live books with my name on them.
It was truly a heart-stopping moment.
Quite frankly, up until being able to touch a copy of the ARC, my new life as an author (my learning to walk sideways life), has been an exercise in not so creative stuff like manuscript revisions, copyedit reviews, meetings and engaging with experts in the field of publishing (truly wonderful people by the way – I call them my ‘Book Tribe’ – see shout out below).
Through all of the busy-ness, the idea of my dream in physical form seemed murky, nebulous. Like when you are pregnant and you know that baby is there but you have yet to see and touch him/her.
So when I held my book that isn’t quite yet a book – how funny is that – it was in some ways like cradling your baby before it actually is born. It had taken so long to get here! I was reminded of Claire, my protagonist in LITTLE LOVELY THINGS, how she learned to find happiness after the abduction of her two children, through perseverance and gratitude.
I am not embarrassed to share that I sat on the floor next to the box and cried. After spending a few moments in tearful awe I then allowed myself to feel, really feel what this was all about, this experience of creative inspiration brought into the actual physical realm.
What came to me was, like Claire, gratitude. I am so very thankful that I have been supported by my friends and family to take on this remarkable journey, to have found the courage within myself to keep going, to understand the impact that creativity has to transform lives.
The Reality of Sacred Moments
But the reality, of course, has a way of shattering our sacred moments. My dog Huckleberry took my emotionality as an opportunity to body slam my thirteen-year-old napping cat, Pumpkin, whom then proceeded to dash out the open front door (left ajar after the UPS guy handed me the box) with Huck in hot pursuit and me not too far behind.
The rest of the story is one of those Disney-esque chase scenes that end with the protagonist – me – covered in mud.
Once I cleaned up, the very next thing I did was join a scheduled meeting with several members of my ‘Book Tribe.’ Being able to share with them the remarkable moment of seeing my ARC for the first time was such a joy because they understand – it was a moment of emotional closure I will always treasure.
Gratitude for My Book Tribe!
I am taking this opportunity to thank my absolutely wonderful ‘Book Tribe’ who continue to provide support in ways that astonish me:
Anna Michels (Sourcebooks Landmark),
Heather Karpas (ICM Partners),
Kaitlyn Kennedy (Sourcebooks Landmark),
Rachel Thompson (BadRedHead Media),
Sarah Miniaci (Smith Publicity),
Sharon Green, Katherine Anne Connolly, Doreen Erasmus, Andrea Robinson, Jane Ratcliffe.
How about you? Do you have your own ‘tribe’ that provides you support ‘in astonishing ways’? When was the last time you have taken a brief moment to share your gratitude for someone you appreciate?
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Learn more about her upcoming novel Little Lovely Things here.
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Don’t forget you can order a copy of LITTLE LOVELY THINGS on Amazon
This book looks good!
Hi Lori – I’m sorry it took so long for me to respond. I am still figuring this stuff out and I put many messages in a draft folder (or I did something like that!) when I thought I replied back. Hopefully, I have a clue now! Thanks so much for being engaged and hope to hear from you again!
Looks like a great read! Looking forward to reading it 😊
Thank you so much!
It looks like it will do well
Hi Lori – Thank you so much for the kind words!
It looks like a good book
Thank you so much!
Tonight I shared gratitude. I posted about getting hospital gowns for my dying dad and the support was incredible. Friends to friends and some are coming our way. Reading has been a great escape. I’ve slways been a reader though.
Support means so much…good luck…
I happy for you to see your dream come to fruition ❤️
Lovely sentiment, thank you!
Would love to be an ARC reader for the your book. It sounds super.
Love reading and wouldn’t mind at all to receive ARC books anytime😊
ARC will be available on Netgalley shortly…will post!
Yay!! Looks awesome.
Congratulations! What a great feeling it must be, to see your book in print!
Thank you so much!
I will be adding your book to my TBR list. Can’t wait to read it!
That is so awesome…thank you so much!
Thank you.
!!!
I can just picture the hilarity that ensued. Assuming you got your precious babies back and the mud off as well
Yes! Those two are quite the characters together…Pumpkin taking the worst of it!!!
Congratulations!! The story sounds awesome! I’m looking forward to reading it😊
Thank you so much!
Thank you – I so appreciate the support!
Truly can’t wait for release date – April 2, 2019 – only 7 mos to go!
I cannot even imagine how excited you must be. I’m sure it was a tremendous amount of work, but you did it. I’m always amazed reading “first time authors’” words about writing and how they got where they are; it’s very inspiring. Maybe someday I’ll be following. Best of luck !
Thank you for the kind and thoughtful words!
Love to read and review 👍🏻📚
Thanks so much! Please see the sign up for access to digital ARC on my home page – OR – please sign up for a signed copy of a physical ARC under Events tab!
The last time I told someone that I appreciated what they did for me when I asked. Was this morning, my son was leaving for work and I asked him to grab the garbage on his way out. I made sure to tell him how much I appreciated him doing that for me and told him to have a great day and that I love him. Congratulations on your new book.
Looking forward to reading this!
Thanks so much! If you are interested in reading the ARC, please see the sign up for access to digital ARC on my home page – OR – please sign up for a signed copy of a physical ARC under Events tab!
What a beautiful book. Congratulations. Looking forward to reading this.
Thank you so much!
How can I receive an ARC?
Thanks so much for your interest! Please see the sign up for access to digital ARC on my home page – OR – please sign up for a signed copy of a physical ARC under Events tab!
Would love to be an ARC reader of your novel.
I so appreciate your interest! Please see the sign up for access to digital ARC on my home page – OR – please sign up for a signed copy of a physical ARC under Events tab!
I would love to read this book.
Thank you Heather. It will be available for pre-order on Amazon very soon – will keep everyone posted!
My Christian sisters in my Bible study have is without a doubt my “tribe!!” .. I tried to be grateful every day. Just look up and say “thank you”
Love this – thanks for sharing!
Congratulations! Gratitude is a lovely emotion 💞
It’s so important to be aware of every single day…!
It must be an amazing moment for an author. Congratulations! Sounds like a wonderful book.
Thank you – I am still breathless at BEING an author…!!!
Really want to read this book
Hi Glenda – It will be available for pre-order on Amazon shortly – will post on my website and FB page at http://www.facebook.com/maureenjconnollyauthor/. Best!
Hi,
I love reading and reviewing arc books and have my own ig page: myreadingzen I also have a goodreads account as well. This looks like a lovely, good read. Thank you for the consideration.
Hi Brittany – If you are interested, please see the sign up for access to digital ARC on my home page – OR – please sign up for a signed copy of a physical ARC under Events tab! Would appreciate a review. Please follow me on Goodreads at maureenjconnollyauthor
Looks like a very interesting book! Would love to read it
Hi Melissa – Thanks so much for your interest! Hope to have all the information up on Amazon soon for pre-order!
I know that as a reader I had now idea how hard it is for writers with edits and revisions. I’m sure it’s tough have others critique your work of art. Congratulations on your new book! I’d love to win and ARC and be able to read it before anyone else.
Hi Paige – the ARC contest if for a signed physical version. I am also taking names for an electronic version on Netgalley which will be available to all who sign up. Please see my home page or FB page @ http://www.facebook.com/maureenjconnollyauthor/
Congratulations! The book looks like a great read and I really can’t wait to read it.
Support means everything, being a single mom, I was taking care of my children and my father after my mother passed away; working 40 -50 hours a week. I hurt my left knee around April of 2005 so later in September I found out the doctor was going to do knee surgery. I was off work and got to spend lots of time with my dad in his hospital room with me in my wheelchair until he passed in January. The support of my children and my sister to help me get through this time was great. He unexpectedly died of a blood clot that we did not foresee. But the doctors and nurses that took care of me at my hospital were of great help. As well as the hospital where my dad was staying.
(Sorry for being too long)
Hi Linda – I’m sorry for your difficulties but am so happy that you felt supported through this trying time. Love and gratitude is the most important things we can share!
Congratulations on your book I can’t wait to read.
Hi again – Thanks so much. It will be available soon for pre-order on Amazon! Will keep everyone posted!
[…] I have previously written about holding the first advanced reader copy of my book, and how it was, in some ways, like cradling a baby before it was actually born. Now that baby has arrived! And while it has taken an enormous amount of time, I have nothing but gratitude for what I have learned during this journey, for the people I have met and grown close to, and how I now understand that creativity can truly be a force for change. […]