After years and years of writing, editing, rewriting, and so on, launching that first book into the world felt like watching my child cross the road for the first time alone. At night. Then, a Beatrix Potter theme postcard arrived from reader Lynn Dempsky. She had won a copy of South of Justice through a Goodreads Giveaway. She thanked me for the book. A response from the void! A light in the darkness!

Readers began posting reviews on Goodreads, Amazon, and Facebook. Some authors avoid reading reviews, lest they be discouraged or distracted by them. But look I did. There were 59 reviews, all four and five stars. This dear book–my paper offspring–is steadily climbing in its category. I want to hug every reviewer. Thank you to all the other kind souls who took the time to post feedback. Readers rock!

Photos of readers holding the book started to show up on social media.

 Readers on sofas

 And at the beach

At a hunting camp

And on a plane

And on the sea

Readers rule!

Thank you, thank you. Your responses fill my heart with joy. I cherish the thought that somewhere, someone enjoyed this story. That, after all, is the point of writing. Long after the royalty checks are cashed, the thrill of knowing my work entertained someone makes the long process worthwhile.

Now I carry a box of books in the back of my car. You know, for those times like last Sunday when a lady at church asked if I had a copy. She doesn’t like to shop online. In my county, there is only one measly bookstore. Why, yes, I happen to have a copy on hand. I’ll even autograph it.

And now, back to writing the next book!