Friday afternoon: Exhaustion has turned my limbs to chilled butter. Tears press against the back of my eyes, my nose stings with heightened emotion. Nothing is wrong; everything is right. I am just so very tired and this week, the week I saw my novel launch into the world, is nearly at an end. Half an hour on this ship, another hour on the road, and I will be home. Silence. Bath. Cat. The last season of Mad Men on Netflix. Wine.
How to put into words what this week has meant, all that has happened; the outpouring of love and support from people I’ve never met in the flesh; others whom I have not seen in nearly thirty years, taking a seat before the podium where I stand, poised to talk about my novel; the flooding of photographs on my Facebook feed by friends who have found my book on shelves in Hawai’i and Florida, Boston and Houston; others holding up my book in Ireland and Scotland while their friends and family chime in to say, ‘What’s this? You know the author?’—all who have embraced me with such unqualified belief, joy . . . the words don’t come. Only the warm flush of gratitude, the spark of amazement.
While I’ve been in Seattle, reading, meeting, signing, celebrating, In Another Life has had at least as full and busy a virtual launch week as its author has had in real life.
Here are a few highlights:
Trade Reviews
- A gorgeous review by Nicole Evelina from the Historical Novel Society‘s print publication: Historical Novels Review (Feb 1, 2016)
- And another that left me wanting to throw a ticker-tape parade, from the Washington Independent Review of Books (Feb 5, 2016). Ann McClellan brought out the novel’s themes with such clarity and grace.
On the Virtual Road
The Blog Tour for In Another Life kicked off a few days before launch and it’s been a whirlwind of interviews, guest posts, and reviews. Here are my stops so far. Warm hugs to these bloggers, who do what they do out of sheer love for reading and the satisfaction of supporting authors and bringing books to their readers:
- In Conversation with author Sandra Danby, about the intersection of history and fantasy.
- A review on Always With a Book, and a guest post on how In Another Life entered the publishing world.
- Someday soon I shall hug Anne Boyd Rioux, author of the forthcoming Constance Fenimore Cooper: Portrait of a Lady Artist, in person for her beautiful recommendation of In Another Life
- Women Writers, Women’s Books invites me to talk about the revision process: Revisions, Revisions
- A lovely interview with Drey on Drey’s Library
- Leslie Lindsay reviews In Another Life and then we settle in for a heart-to-heart.
- A gracious welcome from Helen Barlow on My Novel Opinion, where I share my journey from grief to healing as a writer and a woman.
- A guest post, Stumbling into Historical Fiction on No More Grumpy Bookseller, followed by Becky’s wonderful review.
- This one was of my favorite guest posts to date: The Soundtrack of a Novel, on Raven Haired Girl’s lovely blog. And Raven graces me with a beautiful review!
- A dream come true to be featured on Amy Sue Nathan’s award-winning blog, Women’s Fiction Writers, where my guest post about sharing claustrophobia with my protagonist Lia allowed me a way to explore and perhaps heal my anxiety.
- This stunning endorsement from author Susanna Kearsley left me verklempt.
- And a shout-out from Forbes.com! Beyond Flowers and Candy: Valentine’s Day Gifts Under $25
Virtual Launch Party!
Tuesday, February 9, beginning 11:30 EST, I’ll be part of a party of 13 authors whose novels launch between January and March, 2016. Join us for an incredible opportunity to chat with these amazing writers about their beautiful books. And me! Women’s Fiction Writers’ Association Online Book Launch Party
Current Giveaways
- Goodreads Giveaway (3 copies) happening now through February 14.
- Teddy Rose is hosting a giveaway of In Another Life: 10 days left to enter!
- And, I’m giving away a gift bag of love, plus a signed copy of In Another Life, now through February 13. Subscribers to my newsletter are automatically entered into the random drawing. Giftbag Giveaway
As I wait for the boat to bring me from Seattle to the Olympic Peninsula, a tweet arrives that pulls the exhaustion from my limbs and delivers tears and laughter. Three days after publication, In Another Life returns to press for a second printing. My gratitude knows no bounds.
Many congratulations Julie. I can’t wait to read it. May your book continue to enjoy much success and may you be able to take time to truly enjoy the experience. xx
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Hi Julie Christine, I loved your book! It really takes me back to that region of France and as I love historical fiction and a little fantasy, it really feeds my imagination. I will really look forward to reading more of your work in the future (in addition to your wonderful blog).
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Sylvie! Oh, this couldn’t make me happier. Thank you, Merci mille fois!!
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I’m really happy for you, Julie! Such a wonderful beginning to your book’s life and to your career as a novelist. Congratulations!
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Thank you, Anne- the joy and gladness are shared as your launch approaches and the buzz continues to build. Your beautiful book has wings! xoxo Julie
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So I finally got to sit down today to crack your book. End of Chapter One, I am clutching my chest, enraptured. I can’t say I’m surprised. Nor am I surprised you’re on your second printing so soon! Your story is inspirational: great talent, hard work, persistence, and grace duly rewarded. And we, your readers, get to reap the benefits. Congratulations, Julie!
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Eileen! Oh my goodness. This just makes my heart sing! Thank you. Thank you, my friend! I’m so glad we’re on this journey together! xoxo Julie
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p.s.–You look adorable in this pic. ❤
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Fabulous! 🙂 Big hugs.
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And the biggest hugs back to you, Kelly!
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A very well deserved success! I just finished reading it and loved the changes you made. How inspirational to see a book go from draft to published success! Congratulations, Julie – I can’t wait to see what you do next!
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What a journey! I’m so grateful to you and love knowing that you saw such a raw state and now this, a book! A friend told me the other day how much affection she had for Lucas by the end- so different than the villian I’d originally made him out to be, the characterization you questioned that led me to craft a far more ambiguous, empathetic character! 🙂 xoxo Julie
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I can’t even imagine the roller coaster of emotions you’ve experienced on this journey! So thrilled for you, Julie!
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Candace, how grateful I am that you’ve been here, supporting, cheering my on, championing this book and this writer who grew so much under your guidance. xoxo Julie
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Like LIKE LIKE!! I’m thrilled for you and am going out to find your book in Edinburgh tomorrow. It had better be there. Congratulations x
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Nancy, thank you!! I don’t think you’ll find it retail yet, but friends in the UK and Ireland have purchased it on the Book Depository and Amazon. Thank you for cheering me on all this time!!
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Wow, what a fabulous first week, huge congratulations Julie, so well deserved!
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Claire, for as long as we’ve been blogging buddies, never in my wildest dreams. Thank you for all of your loving support along the way! xoxo
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And it goes without saying, I SO can’t wait to read your book, and the next and the next!!
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Oh, Claire. All the love for this. Thank you!
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I have tears of joy for you, my friend. What an amazing journey it is for us, too, watching this magic unfold. What a launch week! Congratulations! Love!
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Oh Sion. There’s so much here only another writer could understand. If I didn’t have you to talk to . . . and when it is your turn next year, I am here . . Love you so so much!
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I love this so much 🙂 I am so proud of you. That is all.
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Thank you, my beautiful friend. So much love.
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A second printing just three days after initial release! I am so very, very happy for you. You labored long for this Julie, and it is magnificent.
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Michelle! What a gorgeous thing to say. Thank you. Thank you! xoxo Julie
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What a great start. Congratulations!
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Thank you, Robert!
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