The Difference a Year Can Make

posted in: Various Musings | 6

My life has undergone a lot of changes over the past year, more than I ever would have imagined.  I’ve been through a lot of emotional stuff, some good, some bad, but I tend to focus on the positive (even though sometimes the negative lurks underneath).  But as I look back over the past twelve months, I’m amazed at what a difference a year can make.

This time last year, I was halfway through writing Everything But.  At the time—while I was writing it—I knew it was going to be special.  And, sure enough, it was.  When I released it in September 2012, it quickly became my bestselling book and put me on all kinds of Amazon charts.  It was quite thrilling for me.  So, when I started writing Bullet, I felt the same thing, but I had no idea just how special it would be.  For some reason, I didn’t get as high on the Amazon charts with it as I had with Everything But, but I sold a lot more copies and got serious attention.  That led to my first Blog Tour (thanks, Shh Mom’s Reading, by the way)!

I had no idea what was coming!  And that’s all good.  Now…Bullet has become a series, something I hadn’t intended, but I write for my readers.  I am now working on Rock Bottom, the second book in the series, but I haven’t given up on any of my other series either.  The difference a year has made means I’m spending more time chatting with readers.  I’ve made some close friends over this past year as well, and that has led to the creation of my Street Team (if you’d like to check out their shenanigans—and, trust me, you do—visit them on Facebook) who have taken over a good part of the marketing aspect for me.  I’m grateful for that.

I’m trying to make more time for writing, since that’s what I really want to do, but here are some of the other fun things that go along with it.  I was invited a couple of months ago to be an author at the Naughty Mafia in Vegas in August (perhaps you’ve heard of it?) as a Sunday Sinner.  I’ve also been invited to sign at the North Shore Author Signing event in Peabody, Massachusetts, in April 2014.  It’s these kinds of “events” that I had not anticipated a year ago, but it does tell me that I don’t want to stop now.  It had never been an option anyway.  I would have been perfectly happy to continue on the track I had been.  I’m the first to admit I’m not a shrewd businesswoman.  Frankly, I don’t want to be.  I simply want to be a writer and I want my books to be read.  I don’t have to be everyone’s favorite and I don’t have to sell millions of copies, but I will be quite content to be your writer.  The book signings for me are like icing on the cake and a huge reminder that I’m definitely on the right (or is that write?) track.  So stay tuned.  Coming up—Rock Bottom will be released (with an accompanying blog tour) in September, and I hope to release Nicki #9 (Fake) along with Tangled Web #3 (Seal All Exits) sometime this summer.  Guess I better get back to writing!

6 Responses

  1. Sara Ferguson

    A year ago I had never heard of you!! I’m so very glad Amazon thought I might like your books because, in case you couldn’t guess, I do!! Thanks for the fun, laughter & steamy scenes you’ve shared with us 😉

  2. pauline santoro

    1 1/2 years ago I got my kindle. I was always a reader but stopped buying books because I did not know what to do with them when I was done. Not everybody likes to read what I do. The kindle and amazon introduced me to you and othe authoers like Maya Banks, Jaci Burton, Kristen Ashley and you. Not to forget M. Leighton. I have read over three hundred books in that time and want to thank everyone of you for the ride. I love all of your books, can’t get enough and look forward to more Thank you for making me feel again.

    • Jade

      Thank you, Pauline! The Kindle has definitely made it easier to amass a huge library without having to figure out what to do with the books after. I promise there are more coming! 🙂

  3. Tina Downey

    Hi Jade,
    Stopping over from the Tart’s place. She said visit her Beta readers and I’m an obedient girl! Congrats on your success and all the best in the future. It was fun hanging out with you during BuNo.
    Tina @ Life is Good

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