So this morning I sent out the first round of ARCs to bloggers and reviewers for my novel, The Edge of Nowhere. I'm not gonna lie -- I've spent all day feeling like I'm gonna throw up. Yes -- I'm that nervous.

To date, the only people who've read this novel are:

1. My beta readers (all friends and family).
2. My publisher and editors.

As of this moment, it's in the hands of people who know nothing about me.

1. They don't know that this was my first work of fiction, or that my original goals didn't include having it published.

2. They don't know that this book was a cathartic act intended to help me understand my grandmother better.

3. And they don't know that the biggest catalyst for having this book published is because, in many ways, this is the story of my dad's family and my dad is suffering from dementia. He's rapidly losing his short-term memory. I need to get this book in his hands while he's with me enough to enjoy it.

The act of placing a finished work in the hands of readers is very personal. It's not too different from sending your first child out into the world and having no control over the strangers they meet or how they'll be treated. You hope they'll make some friends, but you know that there will be some people who will instantly dislike them. But you also hope that those who dislike them will remain relatively kind. After all, not every person likes every other person.

So off you go, my child. I've done all that I can to prepare you for the world. You're on your own now!

If you're an established blogger and are interested in being part of my blog tour, send me an e-mail. I could still use a few more book bloggers of my tour.

For now, I think I'll go grab a pillow and head to the bathroom to worship that porcelain god. I'm just so glad I cleaned the toilets today!

Until next time...

Cathie