Announcing the addition of an important link for writers.  

Please find Sarah Cloots Editing in the 

Helpful Places column to the left.  

I recommend Sarah with enthusiasm.  

Between her attention to detail and objective editorial feedback, 

she left me room to rewrite my story.  

Sarah can be found at clootsamini.com.  

You can also read her blog leditrice.blogspot.com, 

where she recently helped me celebrate Wildflowers' release.

With Gratitude

Today marks the two week anniversary of the blog and book launch for wildflowers.  I’m oozing gratitude for all the well wishes, support, and encouragement I’ve received.  As I mentioned in my inaugural post, taking this leap into Indie Publishing came after a sort-of sluggish period in my writing and submitting life, and I must (must, must) thank all who have shared my enthusiasm for this endeavor.

I’m posting today to give an update and also to ask you to join me on Twitter, Goodreads, and/or Pinterest (links in left column).  These sites have proven to offer creative ways to share creative ideas.  It may come as a surprise to hear that I’m using (and liking) social media.  The trick to this, I think, is to choose those places that speak to your inner artist.  Those places that allow expression in a way that’s most natural to you.  There are all kinds of cool ways to work with these online communities, and I hope to see you out there.

So, updates.  First, I continue to add new and unique links for writers, artists, and creatives to Helpful Places (in left column).  They’re all good resources and provide useful inspiration.  Also, I’m going to do a series of posts on Indie Publishing, which may help those wanting to explore this alternate universe.  Look for those over the next few weeks.  If you’d like to be notified about new posts, the sign up for email alerts is, you guessed it, in the left column.

As for wildflowers, the marketing campaign has begun!  It’s a challenge (because I’m a writer who likes to write), but a joyful challenge.  And my first announcement is that wildflowers was recently put on the shelf at Dog Eared Pages Used Books in Phoenix.  Thank you, Dog Eared. And thank you Readers, for always remembering to support your local and independent book stores. 

Praise the bridge that carried you over.  -George Colman    

Pull the Plug and Let's Go

If you ask any writer working toward publication, most will admit that the path is an ebb and flow of deep hope and disheartening truths.  Sometimes it ends with soulful satisfaction, but more often it ends in a tough No-Thank-You moment. 

I’ve been standing at a significant crossroads for a while now, listening to my creative spirit urge me toward a show-yourself-to-the-world, risk-taking endeavor.  No one ever told me how difficult it would be to ignore all else and believe—really believe—in my ideas.  And I’ve spent a good deal of time convincing myself that I was too sensible to imagine and too tired to act.  But not anymore.

Today I announce my entrance into the world of Indie Publishing with my debut novel, Wildflowers, and this blogsite, which will serve as a landing pad for my upcoming writing and publication adventures. 

I’ve come to POD and eBook publishing after many years of toeing the company line in regards to traditional publishing.  I always believed first agent, then editor, finally publication.  Finally.  The thing about finally is that it’s such a far-off sounding word when you’re writing and submitting in the now.

In April of this year, after a series of random meetings and events, I finally faced the fact that the journey toward traditional publishing had worn down my shine.  I began to evaluate my history, which includes a culmination of several close calls, as they say, with both editors and agents.  I’ve been given lovely and honest compliments, critique, and even invitations to resubmit revisions.  These experiences can not be discounted, for without them I wouldn’t have grown as a writer.  And I don’t just mean that my writing improved, which it did; I also grew in my understanding of the publishing industry, and how I fit into it.  In fact, I’ve grown enough to see that I have choices, and those choices have reconnected me to my affection and enthusiasm for storytelling.

Now, I’ll admit that becoming an online and print-on-demand (POD) author is both energizing and intimidating, but I’m willing to change with the times.  And I hope you’ll enjoy coming along for the ride by checking back with the blog from time to time.

In the left-hand column, you’ll find the links to buy wildflowers in both the print and eBook editions.  You’ll also find a links list with valuable websites, articles, and books for writers and illustrators, and at the bottom sits my Twitter feed.

Along the top, the tabs indicate the pages for each of my novels as well as general information about the books and my writing life.  In particular, please enjoy The World page.  The links you’ll find there (Pinterest and iTunes) offer different views into each book.  Roll and Grow Up Cupcake are upcoming, but all the novel pages include a sneak peak writing sample.

I’ll plan to blog and Tweet randomly.  I welcome you to any part of this community that you’d like to join and offer sincere gratitude for the support.