Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Secrets of the First Time


 
HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN:  Think of something stressful. Just for a moment.  Something stressful that could turn out to be life-changingly wonderful. Maybe—your drivers license test?  Meeting your in-laws for the first time? Day one on a new job?  Sending a child to the first day of school?  You can name so many of them…but at the top of the list has got to be the launch day for your first book.

How many of those have we all shared, dear reds? Our own, and those of  our pals? And the launch of a debut novel, of course, is a one-time singular, unique and tectonic-plate-shifting experience. But no one has ever chronicled the minefields and quicksand and surprises like the amazing Aimee Hix.

Oh, sure, we all saw the photos of the cakes and celebrations, the posters of  her much-lauded WHAT DOESN’T KILL YOU and the smiley smiley faces of the author and her cheering colleagues.

But what was it really like, inside that gotta-be-hilarious brain of our dear Aimee?  She’s brave enough to tell all. 


A Day in the Life of a Debut Author 
   by Aimee Hix


Midnight - We say “Yay, it’s launch day” then turn out the light and try to sleep.
12:20AM - Anxiety dream wakes me up.
12:30AM - I am just dropping off back to sleep after fretting that someone is up giving me a horrid review on Amazon when Little Big Dog asks to go out.
Repeat every hour until …
4:30AM - I give up trying to sleep and go down to the family room and watch Murder, She Wrote and listlessly peruse Facebook, bracing for the onslaught of people talking about how much they hate the book. Anxiety is narcissistic and mean - it’s all about how much people hate me.
5:20AM - I realize I need to post something about all the guest blogs I’m doing for the launch. I through something together from my phone and I have to do it three times because I keep screwing it up from nerves.
6:00AM - Alarm goes off. I rush upstairs to find my daughter blearily checking her phone; I take it from her and settle the covers back over her. “School’s canceled.” We’re expecting an ice storm. School cancellation text came in at 5:04AM. I feel guilty that I’m happy she’s missing a third day of school because having her home with me means I can soothe my anxiety with warm hugs. It’s not my proudest moment.
7:00AM - I doze off during Rockford Files and startle awake realizing my husband hasn’t come down yet even though his alarm is supposed to go off at 6:00AM, as well. He’s up and already showering. Despite the ice storm forecasted for the early afternoon, he’s going to work. Something else to worry about besides the crushing failure of my debut novel.
7:05AM - I check Facebook. Dru Ann is up and has already posted the link for A Snowy Day in the Life of Willa Pennington. Her morning calendar message is, “Be bold.” I find a GIF for ‘bold’ and post it feeling anything but. She’s also posted a picture of her Kindle with the full color view of my cover. Like every time I see it, I get a frission - it’s so gorgeous.
7:31AM - Now showered and dressed my husband makes me a cup of coffee just like he does every morning (I can’t make a decent cup of coffee to save my life) and we clink cups as he starts to wish me a happy release day again and I make a face because I’ve been up and worrying for … all the hours. He reassures me that it’s going to be great. I’m already exhausted and the day hasn’t even really started yet.
8:00AM - My husband beads out to work after I admonish him to “be careful”, “watch the weather”, and “get the hell out of there before the icing starts.” We’ve been through an ice storm like this before and it was terribly stressful - he and I were together on the road, traffic crawling, as the weather got worse and our daughter, who was five, was stuck at daycare. My parting shot, “Be amazing.” He replies, “I am … but not as amazing as you are. Happy release day!”
8:32AM - Kate Malmon posts her review on Crimespree Magazine online. I hold my breath. It’s good. It’s great. Holy … oh my … it’s fantastic. “Fantastic new female protagonist. Skillfully teases out the plot. Pacing is perfect.” I finally exhale. The fear starts to lift a little. I post a thank you and share her post with the link.
8:33AM and on - I get a flurry of well wishes. People are sharing my post with the links to all the blogs I’m guesting on for release day. People are telling me they’ve gotten their Kindle copy. Other post pictures of their hard copies. More well-wishes. More shares. My head is spinning with joy and exhaustion. My lovely daughter takes breaks from her studying when she hears me laugh and comes to give me hugs. Those help ground me because I feel light, like I could float away.
8:53AM - Kristopher Zgorski posts the link to his BOLO Books Week of January 7, 2018, sort of mini reviews. And WHAT DOESN’T KILL YOU is included. Ack! More stress. My heart’s pounding … he liked it! Yes! “Captivating, suspenseful, welcome addition to the private investigator sub-genre.”
11:00AM - My confidence starts to flounder. I feel overwhelmed. In my head, I’m not responding to comments, likes, or shares fast enough. I fear I’m letting people down, all the people who’ve helped me and supported me along the way and that they’re going to be hurt and think I’m ungrateful. I recognize that voice inside my head and take it to my friend, LynDee. She gets me in a way that I feel safe telling her the Perfect Voice has started in. She hears the Perfect Voice too sometimes. She gives it a gentle but firm talking to. You’re not needed here, you’re not welcome right now. This is a moment for Joy not Fear. I’m calmer when we’re done talking. I forget to tell her that I love her though. She knows.
Noon - I eat cheese puffs and drink a sugar Coke. Most of the light feeling goes away. Clearly my blood sugar was low. I think back. Nothing to eat or drink since coffee at 7:31AM. Yup, blood sugar. I check Facebook again. I’m trying to step away regularly to ground myself but it’s hard. I’m tempted to check Amazon but remember every single person who said not to. That tracking that stuff is unimportant. And do not read any reviews. None. Not the good, not the bad, especially not the bad. Read the reviewers that you trust but not faceless, nameless Amazon people.
1:00PM - I’m crying randomly. I feel like Kristen Bell on Ellen retelling the story about when her husband had a wildlife group bring a sloth to her birthday party. She confessed that if she’s between a three and a seven she’s fine but anything higher or lower and she’s crying. I can totally relate to that. I visualize the Emotion Thermometer. I’m at 1,200. This makes me cry wondering how I’m managing to not cry all the time. Which makes me laugh. My daughter suggests I take a nap.
1:34PM - My phone goes off. My husband is on his way home. Now I can nap and do so for about 90 minutes.
3:00PM-ish - Dru Ann messages me to ask if I’m still on my release high. I am. My husband arrives.
3:10PM - I’ve totally lost the bubble on everything. I’m still checking Facebook.
At some point we eat dinner. I think I had salmon. I spend most of my evening lying on the couch under two blankets clutching a hot water bottle. I’m beyond exhausted. We have celebratory cake. Mine is red velvet cheesecake. We decide against popping the bottle of champagne we bought in favor of the weekend, when we can appreciate it.
8:15PM - The National Championship game is on. My nephew attends Alabama so we root for them. I think I do anyway. I’m maybe not fully awake.
10:00PM - I stumble upstairs and manage to get myself into bed without doing any of the responsible grown up things like wash my face or brush my teeth. I fret about that for a few minutes but then finally stop caring about the right thing and just let myself sink into the mattress. Maybe I’m at a three or a seven. Maybe I’m all out of emotions. I don’t even remember falling asleep. I just am until the alarm goes off Tuesday morning. 
Release day is over. I get to do this all again in 364 days for book two.
I should have recuperated by then.

HANK: Yay, Aimee!  SO let me ask—what do you all do to deter the nerves? Authors, what secrets do you have for launch days? And who has one coming up?  Let us know!  

*****************
About Aimee: 
An inability to pass the sight requirements and a deep aversion to federal prison prevented Aimee from lying on her FBI application so she set her deficient eyes on what most Northern Virginians do for work - the non-law enforcement side of the federal government. 

After twenty years as a federal contractor, she retired and turned to murder. Fictionally, of course. Aimee lives in Virginia enjoying LASIK-corrected eyesight with her family, two dogs, and all her killer thoughts.

Please visit her website at www.aimeehix.com
HANK: And! Here's a wonderful interview with Aimee in THE BIG THRILL! (If I do say so myself...) 
http://www.thebigthrill.org/2017/12/debut-author-spotlight-aimee-hix/
A favor for a friend turns into a murder investigation, drawing apprentice PI Willa Pennington into a labyrinth of lies and deception in the shadows of Washington, D.C.
Willa Pennington thought that becoming a PI would be better than being a cop. She thought she'd never have to make another death notification or don a bulletproof vest again. She thought she could move past the pain of losing her best friend. She thought she'd be safe.
But she couldn't have been more wrong.
Now, agreeing to do a simple favor has brought her to a dead body, a missing person, and a battle of wits with an old friend who has dangerous secrets. If Willa can keep her focus, she could solve the murder, find the missing girl, and figure out if the person she's trusted with her life is the one trying to end it.
Praise:
"One of the best debut efforts I've ever seen. Tight plotting, edge-of-your-seat suspense and a protagonist in PI Willa Pennington you'll want to read about again and again. I couldn't put this book down."―Maggie Barbieri, author of Once Upon a Lie
"A debut that saddles tough-girl noir with the heart of a cozy."―Kirkus Reviews
 "Character work is very strong indeed, introducing us to a protagonist who instantly has a believable and compelling set of relationships, goals, strengths and flaws, as well as a past that matters without ever being turned into a series of 'shocking' revelations. The nascent romance between Willa and someone from her past is satisfying in both its heat and the realistic obstacles faced by two stubborn people who’ve known each other for too long to not be wary around each other. This is a solid beginning to a character and setting that could go on to very good things."―RT Book Reviews
"Hix skillfully teases out the plot throughout the book and adds layers to the story as she goes. The pacing of the book is perfect...Hix introduces last minute plot twists and turns that you don’t see coming. She does a great job of planting seeds of what’s to come, but they are so subtle that you don’t think anything of an offhanded comment at that time. Hix works misdirection into the book like a pro. Aimee Hix is an up and coming author everyone should watch."―Crimespree Magazine

111 comments:

  1. Congratulations, Aimee, on your book . . . I’m looking forward to reading it and meeting Willa . . . .

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    1. Yay, AImee! (Have you met her, Joan?)

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    2. Thanks, Joan! You can get a little taste of her at Dru's Book Musings for January 8, 2017. :)

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  2. Congrats! And thanks for that look at your day.

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    1. Thank you, Mark! It felt important to be honest about all the feelings that a debut author has. I knew myself well enough to know I'd feel anxious but was completely unprepared for just how fraught it would end up being.

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  3. Aimee, I have been so excited for you in publishing your debut book. From early on, I knew it was going to be amazing. I'm sorry that I didn't get my review up on my reading blog until early that evening, but I have been a huge fan, as you know, and I couldn't be happier for you. I thought the interview with Hank was brilliant and shared that on my FB page, too. Congratulations!

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    1. Oh, so . wonderful of you, Kathy! Thank you!

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    2. Kathy, don't you dare apologize for not getting your review up on launch day. It was an amazing review and I'm so grateful for it. Not to mention all your support and cheerleading in the run up to release. You've been so amazing to me!

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  4. Congratulations Aimee on your debut book! And thanks for sharing your thoughts and details of your first release day. Your book is on my list of titles to read soon.

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    1. Thank you, Grace! I'm always excited to hear I've made a TBR pile ... Willa mingling with all those other wonderful characters. :)

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  5. I'm exhausted just reading that, Aimee! I loved the book, too, and can't wait to read the next installment. You done good, girl.

    Waving hand at Hank - I have a launch in six days! To destress on launch day? This is my 13th novel, so by now I do a happy dance, say thank you to a bunch of folks, and then get back to work on the current WIP ... until it's time for champagne.

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    1. YAY Edith! I hope you're coming to tell us all about it! When??

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    2. Edith, right? I always underestimate my ability to spin up into stress. I long to be cool, calm, and collected but that's just not who I am. It's probably time to accept that as I close in on my fifth decade on the planet. ;)

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    3. Hank, I was here last week. Remember - colorful sayings?

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    4. Oh, of course! You had like ten million views. My brain is a ..let's see. Mushier than an old watermelon? xoxoo

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  6. Congratulations on What Doesn't Kill You. You nailed release day--now look forward to the next one. The best release day advice I ever received was from Hank. She said to remember to enjoy the moment. Hubs and I waited to pop the cork until the weekend too!

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    1. Thanks, Kait! We actually forgot to pop the bottle that weekend too. I'm now just saving it for the after party of the first event I'm doing on February 3rd. :D

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  7. Perfect voice, be gone—you rocked this release (and this post), dear friend.

    P.S. I do know. And I love you too.

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    1. The same place I got to meet you for the first time—Malice. It's always one of my favorite weekends of the year because it feels like the best class/family reunion ever.

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    2. LynDee, you're such an amazing friend. I wouldn't want to be on this journey without you. <3

      Where else, Hank? Malice - the place where I've gained so many wonderful friends and this new adventure.

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    3. Aw, that's so lovely. Looking forward to seeing you both there again, right?

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    4. Yes ma'am! I always look so forward to seeing you, Hank!

      I actually get to see Aimee on Friday—yay! She's cooking for me and everything!


      And Aimee, right back at you, doll. The books are loads of fun, but the friendships are what make this gig special. <3

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  8. First of all, congratulations on your debut book! It's already been on my list to read soon. I love the cover. Your day does sound exhausting, but I can't even imagine the swirl of emotions. Good luck and we'll look forward to #2 release date, right? LOL

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    1. Yes, Aimee, what are you working on now? xox

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    2. Thanks, Kay! Book #2 is turned in and we'll start the internal launch process soon. The amazing cover designer has told me that it's already on her calendar! That'll come out January 8, 2019. And I'm currently plotting out Book #3 which will release January 8, 2020.

      After that, I guess we'll find out if enough people like Willa that the publisher will want more of her shenanigans. :)

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    3. Thanks for the info! I am attending Malice this year for the 2nd time and I'm so looking forward to meeting lots and lots of people. Fun!!

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    4. Kay, please, if you see me, come up and introduce yourself. I mean, I'd find you but I'm not sure I'd recognize you from your painting. ;)

      I LOVE Malice so much because it's given me the chance to meet and know so many wonderful people!

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    5. And I look exactly like that painting! Ha! I suspect I'll see you around - I monitored a bunch of panels last year and got to meet all kinds of people - briefly. LOL

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  9. congratulations Aimee! what a day and what a year--may there be many more successful launches!

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    1. Thank you, Roberta! I'm hoping there's enough of them that it's just routine - lanch day, grocery day, laundry day. :D

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  10. Happy to have been a moment in your release day, Aimee. Enjoy the ride, it is only just the beginning. And I love LynDee's advice about the "Perfect Voice," something we all need to remember during the happy times.

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    1. Kris, you're one of my favorite moments from release day!

      LynDee is full of amazing advice. Everyone needs a LynDee. :)

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  11. Congratulations, Aimee! Looking forward to reading it.

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  12. Loved this blog! Oddly enough, being up all night pretty much describes my attempt at sleep last night.

    Wish I'd had the excuse of a book coming out, would've made work and the attempt at finding out what's wrong with my car now bearable.

    Oh, and Aimee, I have my hard copy of your book so I'll be looking forward to reading it.

    While I don't have a book release day coming up, I know that when the new issue of Mystery Scene comes out that will include review(s) I did, I am anxious to make sure they actually did make it into print.

    Yes, far down the scale of things to worry about compared to everyone's launch day stories but that's all I got.

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    1. Ew, car trouble.
      My BOOK keeps me up. The one I'm (supposed to be) writing.

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    2. Argh. Car trouble. Keep us posted!

      Cannot wait to see your reviews! That must be such a treat to see your byline..

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    3. Oh, Jay, car anxiety is awful. I used to have a fairly long commute (short for the DC area actually) and every time it acted funny I stressed.

      I hope reading about Willa helps you forget car and work stress. And, of course, now *I'm* going to stress about your reviewer's eye on my book. :)

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    4. Aimee, it might be a bit before I can read the book. I've got four books to read and review for the magazine before I can get back to reading my own books for pleasure. But I will get to it ASAP.

      I just need to read faster. As for not reading your Amazon reviews, I know that when I write a review of a book I'm not reviewing for Mystery Scene, I post it on Goodreads and then just copy and paste it over to both Amazon and Barnes and Noble. So if I like a book, it gets that good review on three sites.

      Hallie, I never have a problem falling asleep (nowadays it is usually in the middle of a program I'm watching), it is the staying asleep and getting BACK to sleep that is the problem.

      Hank, the car trouble is nothing a few hundred dollars won't fix...ARGH! And yes, I always get a little thrill when I see one of my reviews with my name at the end in the magazine.

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  13. Oh, Aimee -- ain't we got fun!?! I feel that dread with every book. And DO NOT READ YOUR AMAZON REVIEWS. Seriously. It's so important to do what you're doing which is BASK in good news. Slow down time. Because so much of the writing life is filled with self-doubt. Maybe not for everyone, but absolutely for me.

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    1. Hallie, thank you for confessing your self-doubt too. It makes me feel a lot better knowing that you're out there troubled and ... hmmm, I don't come off well admitting that I'm happy other people are stressed, do I? How about I'm in good, if anxious, company. :)

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    2. Aimee, I've yet to meet a writer who isn't generally stressed about their book, no matter whether the book is just an idea waiting to be written or in readers' hands. I think you're in very good anxious company. Congrats and thanks for sharing your release day experience with JRW!

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    3. Thanks, Ingrid. I know writers are a distinct breed of Self-Doubters. I guess the fact that I'm exceptional at stressing myself out just means that I'm doing the right thing by writing. ;)

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  14. Aimee, I am beyond excited for you! Thank you for this look at your release day. Mine's coming up and it's all the things you've said - exhausting, exhilarating, and gut-wrenching, too. (Is gut-wrenching joy possible?) It makes me so happy to see you with your book in the bookstore - may it fly off the shelves so people can get to know and love Willa!

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    1. Yes, indeed, gut-wrenching joy? Of course!

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    2. Shari, I'm so happy we're sharing this January to debut. I still wish we were sharing a zip code but this will have to do. :)

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  15. Aimee, I'm really looking forward to reading this, after all the good (REALLY good) buzz about it.

    The publishing world has changed so much in just the last 10-15 years. Now, instant feedback, and so many ways to get it, where before you'd sit gnawing your fingernails, waiting and waiting to hear from the publisher what was going on. I'm not sure which is more stressful.

    Good thing you have such a smart, intuitive daughter. Congratulations.

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    1. Oh, I can't even imagine not knowing anything. Our imaginations are all too agile for that!

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    2. Oh, the waiting would be excruciating. My editor texted me the day before to tell me she was proud of me and the book, that she would be super busy on launch day and didn't want to miss out on wishing me well. I've gotten to share all the amazing feedback for the over with the cover designer because of social media.

      Thanks to all the changes the internet has brought (some not so great, I'll admit) I was able to find my tribe and actually leap into writing instead of just looking.

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  16. Congratulations, Aimee!!! What a glorious thing that first release day is! I am thrilled for you and your cover is gorgeous. I can’t wait to get to know Willa! If I remember right, on my very first release day (2002) one of the Hooligans flushed Thomas the Tank Engine down the toilet, so I spent most of the day with a plunger and a mop. Very grounding! LOL.

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    1. Jenn, laughing this morning. Raising a couple of hooligans here, too! The now-20 oldest lobbed a soft toy at the cat the other day--and hit a framed photo on a shelf just right--it bounced off the shelf in slo-mo and the glass splintered in a shower of shards. The look on his face was priceless--I had to laugh even as I ran for the broom and dustpan....

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    2. Oh, Jenn! You and your hooligans remind me all the time that life could be so much more hectic. Happily, my Girl was never hooligan-minded. The worst thing she did in her terrible twos was try to Superman on the rail of her crib and then later that day dumped a bag of ground coffee out on the carpet. Done. One day of mayhem.

      Happily, she takes after her father and is calm and serene. So, in a very different way, she grounds me too. :)

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  17. I (gulp) have my debut release on August 21, 2018.

    I'm trying very hard not to think about it - at least for now. I suspect I'm going to relate to a lot of this post by then.

    Mary/Liz

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    1. Plenty of time. PLENTY of time. And so exciting!

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    2. Mary, my friend Kellye Garrett (Lefty AND Barry nominee) said someone advised her to do her laundry the day before her launch ... or maybe the day of her launch. We're not sure why that would be less stressful.

      My advice - go get a massage. Treat yourself because it's a special event.

      It'll be great. AND DON'T READ THE REVIEWS ON AMAZON OR GOODREADS!

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    3. Laundry? What is this "laundry"? xoxoxoo

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    4. Hank, Flora, and Aimee - Thank you!

      Aimee, I heard from someone that you should designate a "reader" for reviews, someone trusted who can tell you what to read and what not to read.

      I'm not sure whether to take PTO from the day job that day and get a massage, or make sure the day job keeps me SUPER BUSY so I don't have time to fret. =)

      Mary/Liz

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    5. HANK here: Hmmm...interesting idea! But if she/he said: "Listen, sister do NOT read Amazon today!". What would you do???

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  18. Aimee, congratulations!!!!! And I recommend a bit of chocolate to go with the cheese puffs and Coke! ;-) Love the name 'Willa', will be searching out a copy of your book--and agree that the cover would make me pick up a copy even if I hadn't ever heard about the book!

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    1. I will make sure I'm stocked with chocolate, cheese puffs and sugar Coke next year, Flora. :)

      That cover is so breathtaking. I should do a write up on my website about the cover design process. My editor and the cover designer whipped up ten different covers in under two weeks. Week one a set of five and then we drilled down on one of those creating five different versions of the cover it now has. In two weeks!

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    2. Oh, yes, what a great idea! LOVE to read that blog post. Hmmm....let's chat about that.

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    3. I'm in, Hank! Anything to showcase my awesome publisher, Midnight Ink, and the team I'm fortunate enough to work it.

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  19. Congrats , Aimee. Welcome to the sisterhood. We all go through this, every time. Although the day In Farleigh Field was released and went to #1 on Kindle I was sitting in a cold hospital waiting room while my husband went through 4 hours of surgery. Talk about putting things into perspective!

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    1. Thank you, Rhys! I can only imagine how stressful it would be to have release day and a loved one's surgery the same day. My daughter had some medical tests the Thursday before launch day and I was a mess.

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  20. Happy Bookday! Just ordered it. Congratulations.

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  21. This is so funny and so true, Aimee. You're a better woman than I - despite knowing I shouldn't, I obsessively track Amazon rankings for days after releasing a new book. Like having children, it never gets easier, no matter how many you pop out.

    And sympathies for the weather that day - my brother and sister and their families live in NoVa, and I know how terrible ice storms can be there!

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    1. Julia, this just popped up for me. Dru Ann said her's popped up late for her too so please know I wasn't ignoring you.

      I don't know that I'm a better woman than you are but I do know that I've worked hard to accept the notion that the things that I cannot change are things I need to just let go. I can't make anyone buy the book, if they buy it I can't make them like it or give it a good review. Every time I'm tempted I remember this: "No matter how delicious, sweet, and juicy you grow your peaches, some people just don't like peaches and aren't ever going to like them no matter who much you wish they would. Your job is to grow peaches, nothing else." :)

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    2. Aimee, I love this perspective re. growing peaches. What a wonderful reminder that can apply to many things in life. Congratulations & I can't wait to meet Willa!

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  22. Dear dear Aimee, thank you for letting us walk beside you on your very special day--and in a uniquely Aimee way! I only wish it could have been in real time and place so I could have joined Becca in her 'reminder hugs' of what a special day it was. (Along with a reminder of many more to come.) You did it! Buckets of congratulations to you.

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  23. Hey Aimee! Congratulations on your book release! I read about What Doesn't Kill You on Dru's post. It sounds great and I can't wait to read it.

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  24. And Aimee, DO tell us what you're working on now!

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  25. Aimee, you know how I feel about you. You rocked this! Being on this journey with you and seeing the end results put a big smile on my face at all that you've accomplished. I'm actually shedding a tear as I write this. You are my inspiration! Keep being you because there is no other.

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    1. HANK here: . Awww...Dru Ann. You are such a rock star. xx

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    2. Now I'm crying! And you know I couldn't have done this without you. You're my soul sister and bestie! <3

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  26. Happy to, Hank.

    I turned in the second book at the beginning of November. That one takes place four months after the events of the first book as Willa juggles two cases: helping a scared and lonely teen girl and solving a twenty year old cold case with the police.

    Currently, I'm plotting out the third book in the series. Book three will take place approximately four months after the end of book two and will occur around the anniversary of her best friend's death. Willa will be tracking down who is making death threats against an internet shock jock.

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    1. DO you have titles? Or is it still secret???

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    2. I don't have titles yet. I'm great at helping other people come up with titles but not so good at my own. My editor came up with WHAT DOESN'T KILL YOU so I'm sure she'll have an amazing idea for book two. I do have one I hope she'll let me keep for book three but ... who knows. :

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    3. Keep us posted! (And yeah, I know the feeling.)

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  27. Congrats, Aimee! Your book has gotten such great buzz--I can't wait to read it! And thank you for sharing your debut launch day with us. I'd say you got through it with flying colors. I'd say you can look forward to being just as excited--and just as stressed--for future books:-) And do NOT read Amazon reviews!!!

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    1. Thank you, Deborah! I'm so grateful for all the wonderful advice I've gotten especially about not reading reviews. :D

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    2. Yeah, but good luck with that. :-) I read them.

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  28. Congratulations, Aimee! I am right now gazing with longing at the beautiful card with quotes from the book that you signed for me at Bouchercon -- I think I got the first one! Looking forward to what I know will be a great read!

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    1. Leslie, I was so glad I got to see you at Bouchercon. You made the first-timer nerves float away with your graciousness and warmth. I'm still so pleased with how those cards, my first attempt at "marketing" materials turned out.

      I hope to see you at Malice!

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    2. HANK here: Oohh, ooh, what were the cards? xoxoxo

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    3. I'll mail you some, Hank. As a thank you for all you've done for me. :)

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    4. HANK here: Awwww. Seriously? You have done it for yourself. >3 oh wait, <# . oh, wait, <3 . !

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  29. Congratulations, Aimee, and thanks for sharing your launch day experience! I'll definitely be looking for your book.

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  30. Congratulations, Aimee. You must be so proud of our stellar reviews from RT and Crime Spree! I also love your cover. You are off to a stupendous start. Be brave and write on.

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    1. Thank you, Sasscer! Good reviews from esteemed reviewer like Kate Malmon and Kristopher Zgorksi certainly do puff up my plumage. :)

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  32. Congrats on L-day. and...
    "tough-girl noir with the heart of a cozy" Now that's praise!

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  33. This looks awesome! I can't wait to check it out!!

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    1. Thanks, Cari! I hope you enjoy it.

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    2. HANK here: Oh, and Cari herself will be here..what day, Cari? Saturday? With a special surprise! So come say hi!

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  34. Dear dear Aimee, thank you for letting us walk beside you on your very special day--and in an uniquely Aimee way! I only wish it could have been in real time and place so I could have joined Becca in her 'reminder hugs' of what a special day it was. (Along with a reminder of many more to come.) You did it! Buckets of congratulations to you.

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    1. I will take you up on that hug at Malice, Sally! :)

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    2. HANK here: Oh, Sally! SO wonderful to see you! Yay. xoxoo

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  35. Happy release day, Aimee. I have been following your Facebook page about your books for a while. And I met you when Alice Loweecey introduced us at Bouchercon. You were telling a funny story. Thank you for sharing your launch day with us.

    Diana

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    1. HANK here: that's great Diana! And Aimee is ALWAYS telling a funny story--we rely on it!

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    2. Thanks, Diana! Hank is right, I'm usually telling a funny story mostly because I'm pretty clumsy (just bumped into the door frame coming out of the bathroom) and telling people all about my mishaps usually results in laughter. ;)

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  36. I loved your debut novel and I'm looking forward to reading a follow up . I posted my review on GoodReads and Amazon!

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  37. Love this so much, Aimee and can't wait to read your book! I was a debut last September (does this make us book debutantes?) and I whipped myself into quite a panicky lather. That Perfect Voice is tough to silence! Warmest congratulations and best wishes for every good thing. So happy and excited for you! Now off to buy your book. :)

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