If I’d known…
Publishing Soulmatch required so much more time and effort than I ever imagined. If I’d known how difficult it would be, that it would take five years, I honestly doubt I would have stuck with it.
BUT, if someone had said to me, “Becky, you will spend 10% of your life on this thing, and you’ll second-guess yourself constantly, and it’ll take a toll on your physical and mental health… But at the end of it, you’ll get to reconnect with friends and colleagues and family members you haven’t seen in years, decades even.” Well, okay then. Yeah, I’m in. 100% worth it.
Thank you so much to everyone who has come out to my signings and events, who has sent me messages, and flowers, and bought a copy of Soulmatch, and made time in your busy lives to read it. You’ve made the sacrifices worth it.
I still get teary eyed thinking of my friends who flew across the country for my book launch, the former colleague who drove eight hours round-trip for one of my events, the childhood friend who made it a point to stop by Barnes & Noble to see me even though she was heading out of town on vacation, and the other childhood friend who sat beside me the entire four hours of a signing just so we could catch up in the few minutes between people coming up to the table. I’ve also seen friends from writing groups, photography clients, family galore, friends of friends, parents of friends… I could go on and on! Y’all are incredible!!!!!
Enjoy this gallery, including a “now and then” of me with one of my pre-teen friends!!
Lots of updates since I last posted
Soulmatch was named a Teen Readers’ Indie Favorite on the Independent Bookstores Bestseller List! I’m not quite sure what that means (LOL), but seems pretty amazing all the same!
The Bookstagram traveling ARC returned to me, full of amazing notes, tabs, and with a custom crocheted sleeve. This is now one of my most prized possessions. Watch me “unbox” it.
Soulmatch beat The Hunger Games in the YA dystopia category on Barnes & Noble, not once, but TWICE! It’s still sitting at #7 in the category (fluctuates daily), which is absolutely mind-blowing to me!
I hit my goal of 50 reviews on Amazon! I’m currently at 78, so my new goal is 100! Help me get there by leaving your review after you read Soulmatch. Reviews lend a ton of credibility (we’re all hesitant to purchase items with only a few reviews, and the same holds true for books!). In case you’re wondering, I don’t read any Soulmatch reviews (those are for readers!). I just keep track of the total number.
Soulmatch hit 12,000 “Want to Reads” on Goodreads! Wow! Speaking of Goodreads, I heard a Soulmatch ad is running there. If you happen to see it, please take a screenshot for me!
I got SUPER EXCITING NEWS about an upcoming appearance (see below)!!
Signed Copy Giveaway!
I FINALLY received my books!!! Which means it’s time for a giveaway!!! You have hours left to enter this one for a signed copy and free swag on Instagram. I randomly selected one of my newsletter subscribers to win one this morning. And the winner is… (email partially obscured for privacy).
Upcoming Appearances (drumroll, please!)
September 20th, 2:00pm - Brambleton Library, Ashburn, VA (for teens). We’re doing a Soulmatch escape room!
October 9th, 8:00 pm - BREAKING NEWS!!!! I’m going to New York Comic Con!!!! AND I’ll be on a panel with none other than Chloe Gong and Joelle Wellington!!!!! Buy your ticket! Come hang out! It’ll be SO MUCH FUN!!
October 18th, 5-7:00 pm - Book signing at Barnes & Noble in Fairfax.
November 14th-15th - YallFest, Charleston, SC. I won’t be on any panels, but I’ll be there! Find me (I’ll be wearing red and white!) for some free Soulmatch swag! Happy to sign your book, too!
December 5th-6th - St. Louis Teen Book Festival (link is to last year’s event). THRILLED to be among the 18-20 YA authors invited to this event, which draws around 1,000 teens and librarians!
MORE IN THE WORKS, including local school visits and Ohio book signings when we visit our son in college. Check my Events page for updates!
