The First Paperback Copy of My Book in the World

For the past week, I've been waiting to receive a proof of my book from Lightning Source. As I'm self-publishing for the first time, I was nervous that the book would look unprofessional in print form or that something else would go wrong.

This morning I received a package that I thought was from Amazon.com. To my surprise, when I opened the package I saw the first copy of my book! It is difficult to describe the feeling that went through me, but it felt like a combination of laughing out loud and crying. There's something incredible about holding the first, finished copy of the book in my hand. I feel like it validates how I've been spending my time for the past year (See mom, taking a semester off wasn't a bad idea!).

Full steam ahead!