Behind the Scenes – A Cat on Book Launch

Sitting here, happy, tired and stuffed-brain, but taking a moment to share insights into my crazy-busy-hectic-happy book launch week with co-author Rosie Russell.

It's been an endurance test of stress management with an attitude of gratitude.
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Stress Management Roller-Coaster

​Co-writer Rosie Russell and I are over the moon that our new book for tweens, Just Between Sam and Me, debuted on 2 December at #113 in Amazon’s ranking of children’s books about bullying. 
 
But what a journey to get there!

Our tale has been 22 months in the making - delayed by my Covid-stalled muse during lockdown. Plus Rosie and I always fought tech gremlins;  however, nearing our 2 December finish line, those tech gremlins attacked with a vengeance. Of course!

–   Our paperback was stalled in review process, so it was not available on the first day of launch.

–   Rosie’s Facebook account may have been hacked, and she couldn’t access important launch day posts.

–  The day before launch, I started working at 4.30 a.m. because my mind wouldn’t stop spinning about everything that needed to get done. 
 
 – 10 minutes before a podcast interview with Jedli on Reading with Your Kids, a ginormous pressure washer truck pulled up to my neighbor’s house and started pounding out its super-water-shooting motor. I tore out of my office and raced to the closet in the back of our home. Hunkered down by Hub’s shirts in that tight space, the WIFI dropped. Sigh. I scurried back to pressure washer mania. ARGH!
​

I stress over these things,
But I know.

Yep. Minor first-world problems.

I remind myself to be grateful for the ability to hassle with them.

Keenly aware that millions are
struggling
with serious issues of
health,
finances
and social inequities.

Haunted by the image of a young girl,
crying and clinging to her blankie-wrapped baby doll
being forcibly evicted from their home.

Gut-punched
as I learn of Covid deaths
among family and friends just these past weeks alone.

Teary-eyed
by staggering numbers
of Covid deaths rising.

Sickened
by political divisions battering our nation.

Remembering these things
snaps my launch anxiety
into perspective
​right quick.

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Attitude of Gratitude 
​

Dad once made a habit of writing down all his blessings, and I Iearned that trick from him.

I will never take for granted having a roof over my head, warm place to sleep, food on the table, or ability to pay my bills on time. Nor my fab family and friends, whom I long to see in person but doing so only over ZOOM these days.

My work on Sam has been rich with a co-writer, launch team, writing pals, and blogging buddies who support my authoring journey. I'd be lost without them. They raise our purr-fect tale of courage and hope for tweens and help it score fab book buzz that makes authors do the happy dance.

Speaking of book buzz ....

Will you kindly bear with me for a moment of shameless self-promotion as I share review snippets that have my buttons bursting? 

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​"My daughters and I enjoyed reading this book together. It brought up conversations for us as a family about bullying ..."
 
"... my 10-yr old who is in 5th grade [was] her glued to the text. ... a book my child WANTED to read & ASKED to read."
 
"The book isn't just about bullying. The authors dive into the complexities of family dynamics, school pecking orders, coming of age, and small-town life”

"... tale of triumph which strikes the perfect balance between humans and beloved pets ..." 
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​“…powerful, inspiring … tackles the important issue of social bullying in an entertaining way amidst a charming mid-west farm setting.”
 
“… a lovely book showing what friendship really means.”

“…deeply engaging plot and characters ... [that] brought me along a roller coaster of emotions.” 
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"My daughter who is in 5th grade enjoyed the book and I was able to use the story to teach her about self-esteem, her changing body and what to do when she is being bullied or seeing someone being bullied."
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Smiling wide here -:D!

One last bit self-promotion, please?
(Promise that's it for the year <wink>.)
​

Sam - by Irene A. Jahns

Sam, Rosie and I would be honored

if you'll click below
to learn more about
Just Between Sam and Me

and

where to find a copy
​at your fave bookseller.  
​
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Find your copy of
​ "just between sam and me"

​btw,,,,We're  running a launch sale through 10 December:
ebook slashed to $.99 US
paperback discounted at $7.99 US

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December Bookish Giveaways for Young Readers

​I’m teaming up with an amazing slate
​of 58 authors
to bring you 
free books and chapter samples 
​for holiday giving. 

​

You'll find something for every
​interest and age level
in this extensive collection
​of children’s books

​for free or at discounted prices ...

​.. including a free download
of the first chapter of 
Just Between Sam and Me -:D.

​

December children's book giveaways

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Winding Down 2020
​

Shallotte River Sunset - by Cat Michaels

​
​During the Reading with Your Kids podcast taping today, host Jedli asked what'd I'd be writing next. I’ve had a feel-good women’s fiction rattling around in my head for over a decade. It’s time to get it out of my brain and onto paper.

But not until Just Between Sam and Me winds down.

Then I’m taking off the end of December to watch the sun set over the river, write my Christmas cards, and gratefully enjoy a Covid-Safe Holiday for Two with Hub, And we'll say 'good riddance!" to 2020!

​I’ll crank it up again in 2021 with the next step on my writing road, whatever that is.
​

I hope you'll stay well
and enjoy special times
to make your heart happy
with your loved ones. 

2021’s gonna be a better year for all of us!!
​

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