Friday, February 7, 2014

WELCOME, JESSICA L. BROOKS, AUTHOR OF IF I SPEAK TRUE

Gentle Readers . .  and Maxwell,

We have a guest post today! Jessica L. Brooks is on a blog tour to promote her new book, If I Speak True.


And here's Jessica's Guest Post:


Hi, Janie! Thanks so much for having me here to talk a little bit about the publication process for If I Speak True. 

First, I’d like to say that this book has been through so many stages, I don’t even know how to go about my initial “how would I do things differently this time” response because this is the book I tried (many, many times) to go traditionally pubbed with. In the process of trying so many times to do so (and make it “fit into the publishing box” or “stand out”), however, the book changed. And grew. 

And morphed into something different until I knew it was meant to be shared with whomever I could share it, in whatever way possible. 

With that said, I’m not sure if I would have changed anything about the entire process, from start to finish, because even though it took years longer than I wanted and I received so many rejections (there were tears, let me tell you), it--and the people I came into contact with who helped shape it into what it is now--ultimately benefited the book, and for that, I am grateful.
Not only did that “waiting period” wield a positive result, but being as I chose to self-publish (or, go “indie”--however you want to say it), I was able to have complete control over every aspect (including getting to use my amazing cover designer… again). None of these amazing things would have happened had 1) the book been picked up in traditional publishing or 2) I trashed this book and gone on to trying a different one to catch someone’s eye in the traditional publishing field.

And maybe that’s the point of what this post is supposed to say: That sometimes, giving up isn’t an option. Sure it’s okay to move on to something new, but if this book (or anything else you are passionate about in life, really) and the time invested in it means something to you, then it’s okay to find a way to share it with the world. 

Jessica L. Brooks, young adult author
Pity Isn't An Option and If I Speak True available now

Connect with me at: Let Me Tell You A Story
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Dahlia Kennedy's sixteenth birthday marks a decade of mysterious dahlias arriving and strange, lonely dreams of being in a forest. The only difference this birthday, however, is that for the first time, someone is there with her. And he's practically from a whole other era.

The more often Dahlia visits Rowan in his land of Ambrosia, the stronger their connection grows. But... is Ambrosia real? Is he real? What is going on between the two of them, exactly, and why does he insist that she keep it to herself?

As secrets usually go, however, it's only a matter of time before everything comes out. And when Dahlia finds out the truth of who Rowan is, who she is, and how he really feels -- it’s beyond anything she could have ever imagined.


About the Author:


Jessica BrooksJessica L. Brooks resides with her husband of over sixteen years, three awesome daughters, and a plethora of pets in Central California, where fog, frost, triple-digit heat and various items of produce arrive bountifully, depending on the season. She has an affinity for both coffee and owls, and loves to connect with fellow readers and writers on most social networks like
Goodreads, Twitter and Pinterest. You can also connect with her on her blog, Let Me Tell You A Story.

Jessica shares reviews for her favorite books on Afterglow Book Reviews, spreads writing and author love for independently-published authors at Indie Ignites, and salutes all writers (no matter what stage in their writerly journey) at Operation Awesome.







Janie Junebug says: Thank you, Jessica. I like your message, especially "giving up isn't an option". 


Infinities of love and thanks to Jessica L. Brooks,

Janie Junebug

13 comments:

  1. Great job, Jessica! Congratulations on the book and here's hoping you a mountain of success!

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    1. Oh come on, Green Pickster! Not just one mountain. You should say, a heapload of mountains. (He means well, Jessica.) ;)

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  2. This is very inspiring, and the book sounds great. Congratulations on getting it through the whole process!

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  3. I love the flower. Seriously, that was genius to put that on the cover at this time of year.

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  4. Thanks so much for having me, Janie! :)

    I'm glad you like that--giving up really isn't an option when you follow your dreams! (I actually almost did a shout out to my other book, Pity Isn't An Option in that post, but was able to refrain myself. Ha.)

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  5. I like that you don't have any regrets about the road to publication -- and that the changes you made while trying the traditional route are one's you find valuable. Congrats on the new book!

    Thanks for the guest post, Janie. Happy weekend!

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  6. Complete control... that's wonderful. I can't even imagine what that must be like. But then again, I'm a terrible writer.

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  7. Congratulations, Jessica. It feels pretty good to get out of the back seat and behind the steering wheel, doesn't it? Beats waiting for somebody else to take you (and your book) where you want to go. Good luck with it! Great looking cover.

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  8. I like the fact that Jessica may not have "enjoyed" the wait but still recognized the benefits of it, and has a better book as a result.

    Great guest post!

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  9. The book sounds really great!

    www.modernworld4.blogspot.com

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  10. Thank you, Pickleope! :) AND Blue! :D I'll take both!

    Shelly, I appreciate that. Each publication is a bit easier. You tend to get the hang of it and get better each time, that's for sure.

    Susie, I love love love that flower, too. My (amazingly talented) cover designer and I worked on branding, as I have two series out but want it to be obvious whose they are, so they have to look alike, but not (does that make sense?). With the Flora series, we'll be sticking to this kind of a theme. Being as the book starts out on Dahlia's birthday, which is in January, the release ended up being perfect... Valentine's day is in there, too, and it goes into the spring. Couldn't have asked for better timing!

    Thank you Nicki! Long as we learn as we go, we can always improve!

    Blue... I doubt that very much!

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  11. If I Speak True sounds like a terrific book. Best of luck with it!

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