The best part has been you.

I’ve been trying to think of something to liken the book publishing experience to. In a way, it’s like graduating from college in that you work toward it for a very long time and then the actual graduation day comes and you’re like, “What? It’s actually happening?” You’ve had the graduation date on the calendar for over a year and that date has always seemed so far in The Future as to be fictional. Then it arrives!

But that analogy doesn’t quite work, because in many ways I think getting into college was easier than getting a manuscript into the publishing process. As it should be, I suppose, otherwise no one would be college educated.

I’m fortunate to have a couple of friends who have been on this debut author ride with me this year. It’s nice to have people to commiserate with and share the joys and triumphs with. I continually compare this experience to a rollercoaster, because the highs are so thrillingly high, and the lows are swift and scary.

As I write this, I’m prepping for my release party at Parnassus Books. I’m so excited that they’re hosting me and I have so many friends and family who are coming to support me. The amount of people who’ve donated giveaways to make the party even more fun has been incredible to behold.

Since my launch party was scheduled for Thursday, I figured the actual release day would be just like any other day. I’d throw up a post on social media, then just go to work and go to bed. I did not anticipate the outpouring of electronic affection that I would experience! I almost couldn’t keep up with it all. From people commenting on my posts with their congrats to everyone sending me pictures of them posing with their Ghost Tamer copies, it was so much fun.

Am I excited? Yes. (Am I exhausted? Also yes.) I’m proud of myself, I’m super happy that Ghost Tamer is out in the world, and I’m thrilled to be able to call myself a published author. But honestly the best part of this week has been having you all cheering me on. Thank you.