Post launch, what's next?

It’s been more than a month since my book launched, and in that time, I’ve had time to think about the experience and everything that led to it. I’ve been lucky to have found a group of fellow writers for support, a loving wife who’s been there every step of the way, and a publisher who believed in my work and helped me make it the best version possible.

The launch was exciting, with a larger crowd than I ever expected—especially for a nobody like me. There were many great audience questions for me and the audiobook narrator, Sarah Kisko. Once my brief reading was over and the questions began, I was able to relax and enjoy the evening. Thank you so much to everyone who attended and offered support.

But now the slow burn begins.

My novel is out there. People are reading it, but coming from a small, independent publisher means we must work to promote it. It’ll take time. It’ll take effort. But, in the end, all I ever wanted was to write something that would outlive me and that at least one stranger was entertained by the story I’ve wanted to share for 30 years. Thankfully, I’ve achieved just that, so whatever happens next is merely icing on the cake.

So what now?

Well, I start over. I’ve begun work on my second draft of the follow-up to The Moon the Sun Forgot, titled Orphans of the Deep. Like the first book, I’m writing it for myself. It pushes the narrative forward without—at least I hope—treading on what’s come before. I believe sequels need to be different than their predecessor, and I think I’ve come up with something that is just that. So who knows… If there’s a market for the first book, maybe my writing journey isn’t over.

Ever Forward.