The Princess in the Opal Mask officially releases into the world today, and I’ve been struggling to define exactly what I’m feeling right now (which I guess is kind of funny, since I’m not usually at a loss for words). But I think the warm feeling in my stomach today can best be described as gratitude.
For a long time The Princess in the Opal Mask was merely my secret project, and if I’m really honest, there were definitely days–whole seasons even–when I believed I’d never be able to write it. The story of two girls, with the weight of two kingdoms resting on their shoulders, just seemed too big for me to tackle.
But a funny thing happened a long the way: a lot of you came along side to cheer me on. Over the last two years I’ve had friends and family who have dropped everything to babysit my sons so I could meet a deadline, or travel several hours out of their way just to attend a launch party. I’ve received tons of encouragement and support from the kidlit community, the teachers and parents at my sons’ school, and tons of well-wishes from people I’ve connected with online. I’ve received emails from readers who tell me how my books have really touched them and caused them to think more deeply about their own lives–please believe me when I say that is the best compliment a writer could ever receive.
Somehow, all those good things swirled together and helped to build my shaky confidence up to the point where I decided I was going to tackle my story with not one, but two main characters. The result is the book I’m holding in my hands right now, and I’m still amazed that the story I’ve thought about for so long is finished, and is being sent off into the world today.
So, thank you. If you have ever read my blog, read (or plan to read!) or reviewed one of my books, or we have connected in anyway, please know I am so grateful to you today.
And since I’m in such a good mood, I’m holding a giveaway! I will be giving away two copies of The Princess in the Opal Mask, and some swag to one lucky winner! (One copy for you, one copy to giveaway. An early Christmas present, maybe? Boom! That’s one less thing on your list!)
To Enter: I’m not into rafflecopter, so I’m holding a Page Line Giveaway! Simply leave a comment below and choose a number from 1-350. I will reply with a line from that page in Princess (there are 350 pages in the print version), and you will be entered into the contest! The contest runs from now until Sunday, October 27th, at midnight. The winner will be posted on Monday, October 28th!
On you marks…Get set…Go!!!
*Also, today kicks off The Princess in the Opal Mask blog tour. So hurry over to Swoony Boys Podcast for an interview with me and a chance to win one of 15 copies of The Princess in the Opal Mask!