When you believe. . . This is such a lovely thought that requires a finishing touch. There are endless possibilities, including borrowing another writer’s words to make a point (with attribution, of course)! I didn’t look too far to complete the headline with ‘Magic Happens.’ It’s simple because I always have magic on my mind.
For this blog post, I searched for an inspirational quotation about beginnings and endings. I found one that I love, written by Western novelist Louis L’Amour. In Lonely on the Mountain (1980), he wrote, “There will come a time when you believe everything is finished, that will be the beginning.” Although I’m less familiar with Western storytelling than other fiction, I appreciate the sentiment. L’Amour’s words could not be more appropriate for this moment.
Although it often feels like the finish line when an author publishes a novel, it’s not. It’s the beginning of the journey’s next level: sharing a beloved book with a world of new readers.
As exciting as publishing is, sending a new novel soaring into the unknown world of judgment and reaction is NOT for the faint of heart. Although I’m published by Atmosphere Press, it remains my responsibility to capture and entice new readers. Since November 1, 2023, I’ve tackled feats beyond my wheelhouse of crafting a story: posting on SM and verifying Amazon ad bids now top the list of daily tasks. While I stay current with the novel’s reviews (which ones to share, which ones to tuck away), I tend to lag with a few responsibilities, like updating this website, which serves as a center for chronicling my writing/publishing journey.
Morphing into an indie-published author means wearing many hats. That’s me, myself, and I, with only 24 hours a day to spare. I’m a creator; I create Story. I imagine scenarios others would never dream up. Then, I construct characters, decorate the scenery with tropes, initiate dialogue, and whip up conflict before resolving one single crisis. And continue, chapter after chapter, until all story threads are resolved. It’s wildly fun and ridiculously invigorating. For hours a day, I write in that safe space.
Putting all the marketing ploys and advertising secrets aside, I believe in the power of Story, the strength of a solid plotline, the creativity of a genre blend, the risk of three distinct voices crossing dual timelines. I am so proud of my MC, Suzanne Lafountain, who resonates with many readers.
Why? The novel celebrates the tenacity of strong-willed Southern women and the strength of family bonds shared through the ages, which, according to my imagination, exist beyond a physical presence on Earth. My book’s characters are beaten down by life experiences, some of which are beyond their control. While other characters fling themselves into outrageous circumstances with full knowledge—you know, as real people do. Some learn from their mistakes and experience redemption, while others do not. That emulates real life, too.
Magic, tarot, spellcasting, the threat of hauntings, and an angel are fantasy tropes that provide readers with a unique journey; however, these literary devices do not represent the novel’s themes. If there has been misjudgment about the novel, this likely stems from a lack of familiarity with its distinctive genre blend: magical realism, low fantasy, paranormal, and historical magic romance. Since Amazon’s sales platform is home to nearly 40 million books, readers need not embrace every newly published book. In the end, readers find the books they’re intended to read.
Please believe me when I share how thrilling it is to discover a reviewer championing the very core of A Southern Enchantress. Reviewer Barnali Nath wrote on May 18, 2024: “The story is a journey of Suzanne’s quest to bring an end to the heartbreaking trauma knocked upon her female ancestors for generations. It is a beautiful mixture of magic. Spirits, dilemma, love, and tragedy.” Nath’s complete review is featured on the Reviews page of this website.
As readers spend the summer discovering A Southern Enchantress, I will likely consider automating promotions. The tale of a Storyville madam who struggles for survival in an early 20th-century brothel has waited in the wings long enough.
I believe that it’s Octavia’s turn to shine.
