It’s such an adventure to publish a first novel. As you can guess, lots of work goes into getting to this point. I am so very honoured to have been supported by my wonderful launch team, with co-hosts Evelyn Carriere and Ali Kampen (my daughter and my daughter-in-law) and friends Nancy Dyck and Beverley Adam as presenters, and to be joined by my dear family members, awesome friends, fabulous former colleagues, and perfect strangers whom I have yet to meet, as we launched The Brantford Wagers. We were joined by seventy-plus guests on a pretty cold northern Saturday afternoon.
There was something that made this launch even more special to me. As I wrote the original blog invitation to the event, I was recovering from a Covid-19 infection. After two and a half years of exercising pandemic caution, and with double vaccination in place, I came down with Covid symptoms two days before Christmas and my Christmas Day test was positive.
The family holiday gatherings did not take place. Gifts for family and friends were lined up in boxes and bags in our hallway into mid-January. To have a book launch celebration on the horizon later in the month was, I assure you, an absolute joy and something so very special in these circumstances.
In launching a book online instead of in person, it gave me the opportunity to invite guests who are interested in the book itself, or in the publishing process, or in supporting me as a new author. I was delighted that many could attend and cheer me on as I launched not only the book but also my new company, Birdsgate Publishing. It is, indeed, a time to celebrate.
This is a milestone moment in time for me. I started writing this book many years ago, and I took the finished manuscript through a complete and heaving editing process in the past six months. During this time, I also worked with other professionals who helped me deliver a new novel to the reader with the hope that the combined creativity of a team of talented people would provide you with hours of quality entertainment. As you will have seen, the books are printed-on-demand and shipped directly to you at your home. For those who use digital readers, the ebook version is available for you. What a great way to relax in early winter by curling up with a new historical romance set in the fascinating Regency era.
Thanks again to my terrific launch team and guests who helped celebrate the launch of The Brantford Wagers on January 22, 2022.