City Sophisticate: A Brave New World

I flash back to 5 months ago... when I had completed my brainstorming and was spending my time leisurely adding to my novel, daily. The time I spent writing was enjoyable and soothing. It was a way to unwind and regroup after a high-energy day spent teaching my nutty, yet adorable, class of grade 4's.(our days almost always include a moment of free style rapping or an impromptu class conga line) I was writing for the pure love of it and not giving a thought as to what the end outcome of this project would be.

If there was a day that I was unable to add a paragraph or two, or even a sentence for that matter, to my project, I felt like something was missing from my day. When I had evenings that preoccupied my time with social engagements or other various commitments, I would unleash my creativity at any spare moment I could find. Often times, on jam packed days like these I would wake up at 4:30 am for an early morning cup of Joe and an unfettered writing session. I actually found that I produced my best writing during these early morning hours. There were even times when the subway turned into my makeshift creative space.

I flash forward to the present... ( no this isn't my attempt at breaking into the Sci-Fi genre ) and am suddenly, after signing on with a publishing house, finding myself way outside of what I would qualify as my personal comfort zone. An individual who is so go-with-the-flow and who edges casually away from any discussions regarding business, marketing, design and the bottom line, really should not be asked to make decisions in regards to each and every one of these listed categories. I have, however put on my big girl panties this week, taken the bull by the horns and stepped in to make sure that my gleaming creation gets the treatment she deserves.

I've negotiated my way into the sales outlets I've had my eye on. I've discussed my priorities when it comes to marketing and marketability of my Bitter Sweetheart with the publishing house's marketing team. I've outlined my design criteria for cover, back and inside pages with the assigned design team. I've brushed up on my understanding of seller's insurance and copyright laws. I've begun setting the plans in place for the charity book launch event I will host, which will benefit the Because I am a Girl initiative.