Hello. I took a break from blogging because I was busy writing my sequel. But I am back and ready to answer that question. If I wrote my first book in 2007, why did it not get published until 2021? When I finished my book, only thing I could find on publishing it, recall, this was before so much information was coming at us. And I only read that it would sit on a publishers desk in a pile of manuscripts and never get read. I did not want that for my little book so I put the manuscripts, in a shoe box. There were many because I handed out 20-30 to friends and family to read. They were the ones who encouraged me to get it published.

Fast forward to 2020. My son is living in a camper on our property, in Duncan, SC. My son-in-law and daughter were living in another camper also. We were a COVID bubble family. My mother-in-law was diagnosed with dementia that year. My son tells me. Mom, if you don’t get your book published, Granny’s not going to remember her memories.

I reached out to my Facebook friends that I was in search of a publisher. I was directed to Jan-Carol Publishing in Johnson City, TN. I called her. Told her, I’m not sure if it is worth publishing but it is very precious to me and my family. She said, send it. And we do not publish books that we do not think will not sell. My very tech savy husband at the time, sent my book via google docs. My book was still loaded and safe in the computer. My husband had protected it for me. Jani herself, called me within a day or two and said I want to publish your book. Normally, when I get a book in, I read the first few pages, the middle and the end, and know if it is a good fit for us. I started reading yours and could not put it down. Of course, my heart leaped for joy! So, we agreed on the price. We had to contract to purchase and have printed 150 books. My husband and I drove to TN and hand delivered the actual front page illustration, in February 2021. It was created by a 17 year old in 2009. The printing process gets started and I am informing friends and family of our plans. I had all 150 books called for. Then, March 30, 2021. My what we thought, was perfectly healthy husband of almost 40 years, went to bed and never woke up again. My book published and hit the market the next day. A couple of weeks later, my adult children drove to TN with me to pick up my books and attend my first book signing. I was very grateful to those who came out to support us.

Then in September of 2023, I did a second edition of Great Granny and her Yucky Old Cat. Why would I do that? Stay continued. It is quite a story, also.

My sequel is completed and headed to publisher soon.