Do you have any celebratory traditions you do when you have finished a book?
When I am done writing the first draft of a book (in other words, I have gotten to the end of the story, but I’m not ready to send my baby out into the big world just yet), I write “THE END” at the bottom, even though I know I’ll have to delete it before the book publishes. It’s just my proclamation to the world that I am “done.”
The truth is, though, I am not actually done when I finish the first draft. There is a lot more work left to do. For the books I self-publish, I read through the book one more time to make edits (I’ve also been making edits all along as I’m writing), and then I send the draft to my two alpha readers—my best friend from law school and my cousin. Then I take their edits, read and revise my book thoroughly, set it aside, then read through it again. Then I send it to my beta readers and wait for their feedback. For books I publish with my publisher, The Wild Rose Press, it is at this point that I send the book to my editor and wait for her edits. The cover is designed as I wait for feedback, and I write the synopsis and short blurb for the book.
When the book is finally ready to launch, and I really am “done” with it, I celebrate by… (are you ready?) …starting the next book! It may not sound like a celebration to you, but starting a new project is really a lot of fun for me—almost as much fun as finishing an existing project!
Kathryn Amurra
Thank you so much, Kathryn Amurra, for sharing with us your celebratory process when finishing a book!
I love that you type “the end” knowing you’ll have to delete it anyway. The symbolism there feels complete and I totally understand the thrill it gives!
I also totally resonate with celebrating by starting a new project, that’s actually exactly how I am as a reader! As soon as I finish a book, I give it a moment for closure, and then I immediately line up the next book I’ll be reading even if I don’t intent to start it that day.
Thank you again for your thoughts!
Read my full review of Amulet
Amulet is Book 1 of the series Heart’s True Desire
Intelligent, charismatic, and successful, Val Nikolov has achieved everything he’s ever wanted, thanks to a wish made on his grandmother’s magical amulet.
Alex Weaver, however, can’t seem to get her life in order. As a temp-agency lawyer helping Val’s company prepare to be acquired, Alex has no hope that she will ever land a full-time job as an attorney (or convince her boyfriend to marry her).
When one of Val’s key engineers abruptly departs, the acquisition is suddenly at risk. Hoping to salvage the deal, Val asks Alex to travel with him to Israel for a meeting with the decision-makers. The more time Val and Alex spend together, however, the more they question the things they thought were most important in their lives. Soon, they find themselves at a crossroads, having to choose between the lives they’ve always wished for and their hearts’ true desire.
Series Info: Book 1 – Heart’s True Desire series
Genre: Contemporary Romance with Mystical Elements / Paranormal Romance
Time and setting: Present day, Southeastern U.S. & Israel
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Publication Date: April 3, 2024
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
Kathryn Amurra is the author of sweet and sensual love stories. Her debut series, Soothsayer’s Path, is a historical romance series of standalone books set in Ancient Rome around 115 CE. Her new series, Heart’s True Desire, is a paranormal romance series of standalone books published through The Wild Rose Press. Kathryn has been making up stories for as long as she can remember and writing since grade school. Against the advice of her 12th grade English teacher, she studied Mechanical Engineering in college, then worked as an Engineer for a few years. After finding and marrying her own hero, she and her hubby went to law school together. They currently live in North Carolina with their three girls.
Catch Up With Kathryn Amurra:
Website & Newsletter Sign-up – https://www.kathrynamurra.com/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/kathrynamurra/
Twitter – @AmurraKathryn
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20280375.Kathryn_Amurra
BookBub – https://www.bookbub.com/books/amulet-heart-s-true-desire-book-1-by-kathryn-amurra
Kathryn is offering Three eBook Copies of Amulet to Three Lucky Winners!
The giveaway is open internationally.
Runs from 12:00 AM EST on July 15 to 12:00 AM EST on August 3, 2024.
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