I'm excited. My first book is already on sale on Amazon and other websites. But I have apprehensions, and I thought about Ken and his note to the other toys on Toy Story 3. At how they probably don't understand him (as colorful and wonderful as he is).
So...I hope this doesn't happen. My story is about a boy. He's seventeen. He's cute. He's smart. He's athletic. He has six pack abs, blond hair, and blue eyes. But unlike random chance, there are reasons for all of these things. But all is not perfect for him.
I'm excited for you to read it. But I'm also afraid. Please don't misunderstand who I am. SLIPSTREAM is not a book written for Catholic nuns. Senator Rick Santorum would hate my book. Michelle Bachmann would decry it.
No matter what our differences are, I think you are wonderful. Thank you, from this "Ken" who hopes you are on the same page as me. But even if you aren't, I appreciate you anyway.
When in your excitement, you write something
But the people that read it have gotten
the wrong impression of who you are as a person.
You are just being you. You try
to convey it through your blog.
But might be sorely misunderstood by those
who have never seen your kind before.
He does a lot of hard drugs. He makes awful choices.
He is immature, self-centered, but lonely.
He's gay, but it's not something he admits right away.
He's bright and that sometimes makes him smug.
He's proud to the point of it being a vice.
He falls for a very bad boy.
He loses his virginity; it's not a lovely experience for him.
But he helps broken people.
He redeems them. He fixes things.
And in so doing, he learns to understand who he is.
And maybe, he can learn to fix himself.
The world of SLIPSTREAM is dark and evil.
I'm excited for you to read it. But I'm also afraid. Please don't misunderstand who I am. SLIPSTREAM is not a book written for Catholic nuns. Senator Rick Santorum would hate my book. Michelle Bachmann would decry it.
No matter what our differences are, I think you are wonderful. Thank you, from this "Ken" who hopes you are on the same page as me. But even if you aren't, I appreciate you anyway.
Anxiety is understood when a piece of you is out there for public consumption. People will love it and some may hate it; there is no need to worry as long as you know you made it as good as can be.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy this moment and don't sweat it dude.
I can imagine it is a scary, vulnerable moment when your book goes out into the world. Wishing you all the best with it. Can't wait to read it. Besides, Santorum is a horrible book reviewer. :)
ReplyDeleteMina Burrows from Books for paranormal & mystic minds, reminded me a quote from Dr. Suess: "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."
ReplyDeleteWish I could order the printed version here in France but I'm seeing only the Kindle version. Wish I owed a Kindle. Any idea when it'll come out in physical print? (:
Hang in there! Totally normal for you to be nervous. That you are means you care, and that's always a good thing for art.
ReplyDeletecongratulations! I hopped on over to Amazon and clicked BUY. :) If you weren't apprehensive, there'd be something wrong with you.
ReplyDeleteI think you'll do great. Your writing is awesome, your cover is fantastic, story is intriguing. You should be excited.
ReplyDeleteLuckily, I'm none of the people you mentioned. So I should still be able to enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteLove that Dr. Seuss quote. To whom you matter most...and the rest simply don't matter. Breathe in and breathe out. We're all there with you. You're gonna do just fine.
ReplyDeleteSome will hate it, some will love it. Just be ready and don't let the negative get you down.
ReplyDeleteIt's out already? That was fast. Will announce it tomorrow in the Ninja news!
It's already out? How did I miss that? I thought you just came out with the cover. Hmm, or is it another book....Must read post more carefully. I bought it. Can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteThe cover is WONDERFUL!! I wish you all the best! :) And frankly, I'm sure Rick Santorum would hate my books, too.
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm really excited to read it. And i guess the only conclusion about an author i make when i read their book is about their likes and what they find entertaining as opposed to anything about them personally.
ReplyDeleteBoy, Barbie sure wrote a nice post here... wait, what?
ReplyDeleteI understand your nervousness. But I've seen your writing here on the blog, and your book has received positive reviews from the advanced readers who for some reason were NOT me
*ahem**looks away briefly to make his point*
and I think you've got nothing to worry about.
It's for sale on Amazon? Right now? I would go buy it but I used my allowance this week. I will, though, post a link to it on TBOE.
Our strength lies in our differences.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to reading Slipstream. I think it's going to be great!
I don't know you very well, but you seem designed for success. Don't let anxiety ruin the moment for you.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure your book is awesome! I like your new blog deco! Way to tie it all together.
ReplyDeleteYou'll be fine. I can't wait to read Slipstream. I'm giving you a shoutout on my blog tomorrow and will add your beautiful book to my sidebar.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness it's not for nuns. That would be boring. :) I like dark.
Big congratulations on the book publication. If Rick Santorum will hate it, it's probably something I'd enjoy reading. Best of luck..
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize your book was available on Amazon. I'll be buying a copy soon my man. Love the cover. I get what you're saying about the anxiety. All I can say is: Don't sweat the haters.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on publication!
ReplyDeleteAmazon's search feature is annoying. I type your name and it didn't come up under books. I had to click the Kindle link and then I could finally find it!
ReplyDelete@T.D.: Thanks sir.
ReplyDelete@L.G.: LOL at the Santorum comment.
@Elise: The printed version will be available probably in June. It takes a while for them to get it set up.
@Dalya: Thanks for the support Ms. Moon.
@Brinda: Muchos gracias senorita
@Tonja: Thank you :)
@Rusty: hahahah
@faraway: That was a good Dr. Seuss quote. Thank you for the well wishes.
@Alex: Wise words from the ninja Captain. Thank you for the shout out on your blog.
@Clarissa: My publisher does the cover art LAST. I know that goes against the grain of everything anyone knows about publishing. They are the only publisher in the entire world that does this. And that's who I signed with. It's just the way things work with DDP. I'm not gonna complain. I love the art and I think they formatted the book great.
@Margo: LOL we are kindred spirits. I think Rick Santorum would insist on stoning me for the things I say in my book. And stoning would be very biblical so right up his alley.
@Sarah: You are amazing. *hugs
@Briane: Thanks for the post on TBOE. For some reason...Norton is going crazy over your website. Getting malware warnings but I ignored them. There may be something suspicious though going on with an advertisement on your page.
@Jay: Thanks for the support dude. It's been a while since I put up a rant post so that we could get heated and verbally spar. I should do that to recall good times. Maybe when I post my "G" post and talk about "God of the Gaps"...hmmmm.
@Stephen: "Designed for success"? Thank you for the compliment. But I assure you I'm a big nobody. I live alone, I'm not religious so nobody will have anything to do with me, I watch t.v. and movies alone, and have been an underachiever in just about everything. But your words are appreciated :)
@Julie: Thanks. I chose a background that reminded me of Easter Eggs. *giggle
@M Pax: It wouldn't be boring for nuns.
@SC: Thank you :) I'll go and visit your page soon.
@Tim: Yeah it hit the counter like a hot pizza fresh from the oven...
@Fairview: Thank you.
@P.T.: That's cause I'm a nobody. Amazon has no idea who I am. Neither does anyone else. I put links on the blog to help guide people to the miniscule area of the universe in which my writing occupies.
It's always a bit scary to have a book come out, even if you're really excited about it at the same time. SLIPSTREAM is pretty awesome, and I can't wait for book two. :)
ReplyDeleteSoon... have to get to Alex's book first.
ReplyDeleteSooo behind!
it's not a book for Catholic Nuns? Oh, hell, guess I won't read it then :) Priests and clergy always chose me books LOL
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel, and I also know you will get through it all. You're tough. :)
ReplyDeleteHow exciting.
ReplyDeleteYou can't worry about how others will take your work. You can only do your best and then let it go.
Is there a link for nook? That's what I've got.
@Michael I was going to turn nobody into an acrostic, but there wasn't enough a's and l's to say how many times awesome and lovely you are. ^.^
ReplyDelete@Michael's Post Ken was awesome anyway. He chose love in the end... and lalalalalalalalalaaaa!
Michael, Slipstream sounds amazing and what an imaginative way to present it to your humble readers.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting my blog and for your encouraging comments to the lovely Sarah.
Denise
After reading your description of your protagonist, I'm eager to read your book! Looking forward to the hardcopy version!
ReplyDeleteAll the best!
If Rick Santorum or Michelle Bachman liked it, you would be in a very sad place. Congratulations and I hope sales go well for you!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is great news. I thought that your book is out in the month of May.
ReplyDeleteGot to check it out. I am sure it will still be more exiting when you will go on tours for signing it. Congratulations and best wishes :)
Congratulations. Glad it's finally released. Will order it. Am chuckling at your post -- you are so excited and dancing all over the page. To your success!
ReplyDeleteCongrats!!! Anything Rick Santorum would decry is for me, can't wait to check it out!!!
ReplyDeletewww.diaryofasquaretoothedgirl.blogspot.com
I just ordered my copy!!!! I'm so excited. Congratulations!!! I'll tweet, FB, Google+ and shout this for you. :)
ReplyDeleteI just ordered my copy!!!! I'm so excited. Congratulations!!! I'll tweet, FB, Google+ and shout this for you. :)
ReplyDeleteOh that description sounds just like the book I read :)
ReplyDeleteMichael, you'll get good reviews and negative ractions, both due to the harsh world. But take it all in stride and celebrate that people are reading it.
I'm so happy you posted some review quotes on your blog. Excellent self promotion. I'm sure Slipstream will be a huge success.
........dhole
Congratulations Michael. It sounds beyond wonderful!
ReplyDeleteIt was supposed to come out on my birthday so I could buy it without an argument. Sod it, I'm buying next week anyway.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Michael, you've earned this moment. Enjoy it.
Congrats on the book getting out there :) It's understandable to be worried that people might not 'get it', but I think if there are any they'll be in a minority.
ReplyDeleteJamie Gibbs
Fellow A-Z buddy
Mithril Wisdom
I understand where you're at, Mike. My next book is about women who cheat on their husbands. Not something for them to be proud of, but what gets me sometimes is people who write reviews and give 1's because they disagree with the morals of the characters. A friend of mine received a one-star rating for her book because the person writing the books 'doesn't do gay' as she put it.
ReplyDeleteI may never agree with things characters do, but I'd like to think I'm enough of a discerning reader that I'll never mark down other people's work because the characters live a way of life that I don't.
Anyway, that essay was to meant to say that you may as well be prepared for those who won't like it, but I'm sure the majority will have good things to say about the quality of the writing.
Wishing lots of sales and success for ya!
Wow, how exciting! Congratulations to you!!
ReplyDeleteHonestly if Rick Santorum liked the book I'm certain I'd hate it, so the opposite is a sure thing for me. Looking forward to reading it.
Knowing that the likes of Santorum would hate your book makes me want to read it even more! Good luck. I can't wait for that vulnerable moment when one of my novels goes out into the world. I'm still working toward that goal.
ReplyDeleteCongrats! I just downloaded my copy. It will probably take me a month or two to finish it, but I'm looking forward to reading it!
ReplyDeleteI understand your worry, but it's something that is out of your control. People will love your book, people will hate your book. That will never change. Even Stephen King and JK Rowling have haters. You can't let it get to you. Just keep writing, doing your thing, and know most of the people who hate your book are just jealous.
ReplyDelete