Update on Nobody's Perfect

Before you all hang me, let me explain what's going on with Nobody's Perfect's release date. I'm self-published. I wrote each of my first three books in this series in a couple months. So, I assumed that would be true for Nobody's Perfect. 

Well, my having to deal with lots of family issues that I won't go into here (but that I'm very open about on my Facebook wall), AND having to deal with a lot of triggers and emotional stress writing Savi's story (I'm also an incest and child sexual abuse survivor), the writing has been painstakingly long. As you know, originally, I thought I could finish by May. Then June.

I am still resolving issues with the story to bring them to a happier ending than they were at originally (which, trust me, you ALL will appreciate. My poor beta readers have had major angst over the story, which they've been reading in piecemeal since late May, I believe. This is a very emotional story and not recommended for survivors who aren't sure they can go through those emotions again. Trust me, it hasn't been easy for me to write it--but I want to be honest to my characters and to all my fellow survivors, because I get so tired of stories that gloss over the real pain of survivors. I will not pull any punches or gloss over the effects on Savi and the aftermath of her child sexual abuse.

As you know, I so wanted the book to be out by Saturday (June 30) to keep my latest release-date promise, but that would mean putting out a sloppy book and then having to upload newer versions. As you may recall, I did that with the "Advanced Reader Copy" of Nobody's Hero--and that was a nightmare I promised never to repeat. So, I am just not wanting to go there again.

I know readers become used to how New York publishers work, because they often sit on a book for a month or more while they do promotions. I've been at this publishing business all of a year, and there's something to be said for that model--but I just don't want to make readers wait when the book is ready to go out--and I never have. (Even though I'm always uploading newer versions--that's just the CDO--or OCD for those of you who don't suffer from that--in me.)

Unfortunately, right now, Perfect is not ready for you to read yet. I am tired of guessing wrong dates, so I'm not going to say when--just know that it will be uploaded to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, and All Romance eBooks as soon as I get it back from the formatter after the editors and beta readers and I have made sure the book is of the quality you've come to expect in this series.

I know most of you understand and will not cause me any more angst (believe me, I can do that well enough myself). Thank you for your continued patience--and I'm sorry if I've caused you unnecessary stress in waiting to get to Damian and Savi's happy ending.

I've learned the lesson to STOP giving release dates until after a book is in final edits. I know readers want to know dates so they won't miss anything. The best thing I can say to do is sign up for my newsletter (go to my blog or Web site) and you'll be the first to be notified and via e-mail that a book is coming out.

I also will not make any more promises about when future books will come out. I know there will be at least eight books in this series and the next will be Luke's and Cassie's. Other than that, we'll just have to wait and see.

Thanks for your patience! Now, back to work I go!