Guys, this past month has been NUTS. Like, every moment has been a push and crunch to get the editing done. And still, there was more editing.

Being a mom and an author is tough. It's no joke. Like, I may be able to get away with an hour or two a day to write, but to focus--really focus--I need much more than just snip-bits of time. And then, I feel bad for not spending as much time with my kids. I can be a mess.
But isn't that life? Messy. Complex. Beautiful. I'm grateful for my children and I'm thankful for my job. I love telling stories. Before I was an author, I felt listless...bored and lost. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE being a mom, but it has its challenges and my mind will NOT stop. Enter authorhood. It has been a learning curve recently, juggling all the demands of motherhood and all the marketing, editing, writing, and social requirements I have as an Indie author. It's so, so much, but oh so worth it.
I know I've been saying it for a while, but the sequel is coming! SOON. I'm tying the last little bow on it before sending it to my proofreading team to get the final approval for formatting. Self-publishing is a journey, and since I have it on my mind, here's a sneak-peek at what it's actually like--at least for me.
WRITE THE MANUSCRIPT (6 months ish)
EDIT (3 months)
BETA READ (1 month)
EDIT (2 weeks)
SEND TO EDITOR (2 weeks)
EDIT (1 week)
RESEND TO EDITOR (2 weeks)
EDIT AGAIN (2-4 weeks)
FINAL READ THROUGH (1 week)
SEND TO PROOFREADERS (2 weeks)
MAKE ANY NECESSARY CHANGES (1 week)
SEND TO FORMATTER (1 week)
UPLOAD TO BOOK FUNNEL AND SEND TO ARC TEAMS WHILE UPLOADING TO INGRAM SPARKS AND AMAZON

And that's ONLY the editing process. It doesn't account for all the marketing, ads, socials, newsletters, blogs, queries, signing events, art commissions, and book mail planning that occurs in conjunction with the above. And then throw in two RAMBUNCTIOUS toddlers, and well, you can understand why the sequel is not available...yet.
But! We do have a final release date, yay! I'll be sharing soon and my ARC team will be reopening for new members at the end of February. For all existing ARC members, you should hear from my team beginning of next month! squeal!
Also, my newsletter will include the ARC sign-up form when it's ready, so be sure to subscribe! wink
Thank you all for your support and patience. I promise the SEQUEL is so good and well worth the wait!
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