Author-versary

Last week a fellow writer and blogger celebrated her first year as a published author. I thought it was an amazing idea and wrote in her comments how much I lamented not having done the same. Not the post, but the celebrating. When you’re an indie author, work can be a bit of a slog. Everyday is an opportunity for a hundred and one things that will get your books noticed. Writing book two, getting book bloggers interested in reviews, posting news about your journey, fostering community with other indie writers. The list goes on and on and it never feels like you’re doing enough.Except we do.Do you know how many people tell me how amazing it is I’ve written books and published them, and I just shrug it off? About as many people who say they want to write a book too and never get around to it. And yet, I’m always reluctant to trumpet the successes. It’s a pity.So, I want to thank Azaaa Davis, author of the Demon Hunter book series for reminding me to celebrate. And now I’m going to remember to mark my author-versay (I really hope I make that catch on) from now on.Are you celebrating any writing milestones? #Authorversary

Book Release Day and Mother Goose

DREAMSFriday night’s dream, on Saturday told,Is sure to come true, be it never so old.   -Mother Goose Nursery RhymeMy Friday night dream for some time now has been to be a published author. Today that became a reality. By the end of the day my book, A Smuggler's Path, will be available on digital copy on Nook, Kindle, Kobo, iBooks, Scribd, tolino, and 24symbols! The paperback release date in TBA, but likely sometime in August.I used the Mother Goose quote because a long time ago when I started this adventure nursery rhymes inspired me to write a story about all the characters I remembered. Originally my book was called Mother Goose Mysteries and that evolved into the book currently on all those platforms and patiently (okay, maybe not that patiently) awaiting paperback release.Thanks to all those people who have supported my Friday night dream and to those who have recently signed up for my blog.Check out my author website to learn more about my book, A Smuggler's Path.And a special thanks to those who participated in the Fairy Tale Book Club/A Smuggler's Path contest! Here are the winners:To those of you who prefer a paperback, I apologize in advance that your prize will be late. Thanks again!

Joys and Sorrows of a Indie Newbie

In a few days, my first book is being released. I am both excited and exhausted. For those of you who have gone through this process, you know what I mean. I'm at that nit-picky stage where a missing punctuation mark feels like a cosmic calamity.Today I discovered that multiple corrections to my cover are still not completed and therefore the release of my paperback will be delayed.At times like these I have to look on the bright side, when what I want to do is "cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war," more or less.

1. The digital versions will still be available on time, July 24th, 2018.
2. I've learned a lot with this process, which will make it that much easier for book two next year and the novella I'm publishing in October.
3. No more rewrites!

I know all the reversals and headaches will be worth it...eventually. For now, I just hope I get through it in one piece and mostly sane!Commiserating is one of the best reasons to blog. Anyone else have newbie publishing stories? 

A Smuggler's Path - Available July 24th!

Exciting news FF readers!After years of writing (and rewriting and rewriting and rewriting…did I mention rewriting?) I finally have a publication date for my first novel, A Smuggler’s Path. It’s available for pre-order through Barnes & Noble Digital, iBooks, Kobo & Kobo Plus, tolino, Scribd and 24symbols right now.https://www.books2read.com/A-Smugglers-PathA Smuggler's Path will be available on Kindle and in paperback through Amazon in addition to the above options as of July 24th. I hope I can count on all my readers for a read and review! Thanks for the support!Praise for A Smuggler's Path:"Cruz packs a lot of plot into her novel. For example, along with Inez’s noble lineage, she has a history with and lingering romantic interest in Zavier Cole, Canto’s prince whose brother and sister-in-law became king and queen. Multiple backstories, including Inez’s late duchess grandmother and The Enchanted Isles’ origin, provide a rich foundation for the present-day narrative. The author likewise employs myriad characters to further complicate the plot and give Inez reason to distrust nearly everyone. Cruz’s no-frills prose doesn’t stint on wit: Inez’s haunt is Froth, a tavernlike establishment that serves milk and optional syrups.An epic, rewarding tale sure to garner fans ready for sequels."--Kirkus Reviews"A delightfully creative adventure, A Smuggler’s Path stands alone in a very crowded fantasy genre, boasting a youthful, energetic spirit and a wonderful new world to explore for readers of fantasy. Cruz has a gift for quickly creating memorable characters, as well as threading fantastical elements and creative magic through seemingly 'normal' moments of narration, making this a comprehensive and immersive reading experience. A Smuggler’s Path is an entertaining read with a uniquely creative cast of characters, and a colorful world that readers will want to visit again." --Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★