Five years ago today, I was at my first ever author signing. Seems like forever and no time at all, in part thanks to all the time-warping the pandemic did. Look at this little baby author, so excited and so nervous:
Those of you who are good with numbers (or memory) will realize this was actually more than six months before Polaris came out. My publisher printed up a bunch of ARCs for the RWA conference, and I was in a room with a ton of authors I admired, desperately trying to pretend I was a professional and not a screaming fangirl. 🙈
Then last month, I got to sign my tenth (!!!!) book! Granted, there were a couple of novellas and a novelette in there, but even if we just count the traditionally published novels, it’s my sixth. Not bad for five years. :)
My hair certainly looks better, even if it’s a lot more gray now. And I no longer have the deer in the headlights stare (as much, lol). And look at all of those books on the table! 😍
I get to keep doing this job I love because all of you, so thank you so much!
And speaking of author events, if you’d like to see my smiling face in person, I’m going to be at ArmadilloCon here in Austin on August 4 – 6, along with a host of other SF/F peeps. I’ve seen an early panel schedule, and it looks like it’s going to be a fun conference, so come hang out with me!
On the writing front, I’m still waiting to hear back from my agent on the fantasy romance, so I’m poking at a couple of shorter things. I’ve written 7k of a second Books & Broadswords-universe story. It was supposed to wrap up around 9-10k, since I wanted it to be short, but it looks like it may go a bit longer. I’ll probably publish it as a serial once it’s done, but I haven’t really thought that far ahead yet, so plans may change, etc, etc.
Really, I’m just enjoying writing without a deadline or contract. It’s a little scary, too, not going to lie, but I needed the break.
Otherwise, we’re just hanging out inside and avoiding the broiler that is central Texas right now. Yesterday was our tenth day in a row of 105°F (40.5°C) or above. Do not want, please return to sender. Mr. M has started semi-seriously looking at real estate in another state, lol. It’s that bad. 😭
I hope that your weather is more pleasant, wherever you are!
You are welcome in Virginia. That way I can attend an author event.
He’s been looking in NC, so not too far!
Polaris Rising was a great book! It’s crazy that it’s been so long! Thanks for writing so many fun space books 😁
Aww, thank you! 😍
I’m with you and Mr. M with this stupid Texas heat. Ugh! People laugh when I say this is my hibernation time. However it’s true because my body can’t tolerate the extreme heat.
Have fun doodle writing. Enjoy not being under a deadline right now.
Stay cool and hydrated. We’ll get through this.
Hibernation is right. We try to go for a walk every day, but with this heat, even after the sun sets it’s still 98, which is just miserable. When the breeze feels like it came out of an oven, it’s too darn hot!
What a great 5 years, Congratulations!
Thank you!
I was at the RWA signing 5 years ago! That was when RWA still had a blogger registration. Polaris Rising was my first introduction to the fact a space opera could be a romance. So thank you for being there and changing my understanding of sci-fi romance!
Aww, yay! 💕
Eagerly looking forward to the next ‘Books & Broadswords’ installment! :-)
Hopefully soon(ish), if it will ever end, lol. :)
Has it only been 5 years?! Goodness you have been busy! Congratulations on such a great milestone! Hope you are surviving the heat. San Francisco hasn’t gotten above 70 yet, and not too long ago I had to put my little doggy in a sweater because he was shivering so badly. It’s frequently in the 50s overnight.
Always eager to see what gift you will bring us next!
At this point, I would need a coat and gloves for temps in the 50s. It was like lower 90s one evening recently and it felt “cool.” 😭
Congratulations! It has been a genuine pleasure following you from the start, and your books never disappoint.
Also: Come to Georgia! It’s lovely, the weather is a bit softer, and I’m suggesting a new slogan for promoting tourism and new residents.
“Georgia! We’re less insane than Texas!”
Thank you! And I’m glad Georgia is doing better than Texas, because things are not great here. :/
I won a ARC book back then! My copy of Polaris Rising, signed, has been shared and reread so many times, it’s getting shabby. I remember you trying out different pens to be ready for signing too. 😉 I’ve enjoyed every one I’ve read. Congratulations! Janeen.
Aww, thank you for sticking around from the beginning! 💕 And I still try out new pens, because I’m convinced the perfect pen is still out there, waiting.
(Or because I like pens. 😂)
I know what you mean about walking in the heat. I can go before dawn when it’s coolish (ha ha) but it’s so humid I can wring my shirt out when I get back or go at night when it’s less humid and battle mosquitoes and the heat.
Congratulations on five years of getting your books out there! Loved them and I’m looking forward to even more.
Yes, exactly about the humidity! Walking in the morning would be better if the humidity wasn’t so darn high. Only *mumblemumble* more months!
Ten?!
Okay, we’re good.
Also, I just got home from a few days in Dallas and it was INSANE! Even being in NWLA feels better now. So freaking hot.
It’s been especially bad this year, and it feels even worse because we had a fairly mild spring. It seems like we went straight from the upper 80s to 105, without any time to acclimate.
ooh I loved Books and Broadswords. Can’t wait for another book.
Texas weather sounds horrible. My son graduated in May and has fled from Austin. :)