Published Author Alert!

It has finally happened

Hello Friends!

I must admit, “finally” is a bit misleading. It wasn’t until mid June 2023 that I decided to pursue self-publishing instead of going the traditional route of looking for an agent who would then look for a publisher, and if both those two condtions were actually met, two years later I might have a book published. Life is too short for all that.

So nine months later, I am thrilled to announce my first book is published!

It’s a short young adult novel ideal for middle school readers. I wrote it as a quick read (less than 200 pages) for middle school students with a reluctant but relatable thirteen year-old boy protagonist. From the back of the book:

Surviving seventh grade is like walking a tightrope: it requires a lot of balance. After working hard to be invisible in middle school, a humble straight-A student and star soccer player bravely accepts his friend’s challenge: he goes to the school dance. The risk is so worth it. A cute and friendly girl gives Sean his first kiss. The night only gets better when the beautiful, popular and oh-so powerful Courtney (the same girl he has been crushing on for months) invites him to her party.

Problems quickly follow between his new girlfriend and Courtney. Can a shy, formerly invisible seventh-grade boy balance holding hands with his girlfriend, playing Xbox nightly with his friends, spending time with his forever crush, and hanging out with the most popular kids in school? Or will he fail spectacularly and lose all his friends?

It’s been a wild experience publishing a book. Somethings I was prepared for, like the excitement of opening my book and the discouragement of immediately finding a typo on the first page I opened (juicer instead of juicier). Other expereinces were unexpected, like realizing I had accidentally deleted an entire chapter when formatting my book! I haven’t heard of an author doing that before.

But I am relieved to share that Sean’s Survival Guide is ready and available as both an ebook (free with Kindle Unlimited) or paperback on Amazon.

I wish you a wonderful weekend!

Heather