Every once in a while, I like to share a peek at my desk (and by desk I mean the dining room table or anywhere else I can find space to spread out).
My Desk!
I decided I’d share that peek now because I’ve been especially quiet on my personal blog as well as other places in cyberland. I don’t want friends and readers to think that I’ve taken an oath against social media or that I fell into a lake and drowned.
No, nothing that drastic. What I have is a slight case of work overload (and by slight I actually mean heavy). 🙂
Some time ago, when I was in the process of planning out 2016, I realized that I would have 4 books releasing. But the reality of what that would be like hadn’t really dawned on me. Well, it has definitely dawned now. Good-morning, 2016. Hello, beautiful new year—you’re going to be busy!
Within the first three months of this year I have two books releasing. In January, my lighthouse romance, Undaunted Hope hit shelves. So of course, I’ve been busy having lots of giveaways and interviews. I even got to make an appearance in Family Fiction magazine!
Next month, March 1, my second young adult novel, A Daring Sacrifice makes its way into reader hands. On the heels of promoting my January book, now I’m gearing up to let the world know about my newest medieval romance!
Advanced Reader Copies! Visit my website next week! I’ll be giving several of these away!
There’s always a LOT to do and a LOT going on during release time. But my launch teams help tremendously. I have one group for my adult novels and one for my YA (with some crossover between them) and special Facebook groups for both. These ladies are some of the most supportive cheerleaders and promoters that I’ve ever had.
In the midst of all the wonderful hoopla (and I do really mean wonderful!), I’m managing a couple of other big projects. The first is that I’m releasing A Noble Groom into an audio book. Last year I requested and was granted the audio rights on a few of my books that hadn’t been picked up by audio companies. I’ll be sharing more about this project later in the month once it releases, so stop back to hear more about the process!
Soon to be released as an audio book!
A second exciting thing that I’ve been working on is getting my first ever indie book ready for publication. Yes, I’m tip-toeing into the waters of independent publishing with a fourth lighthouse book, Forever Safe, which releases in June 2016. I was having so much fun with the series, that I decided to write at least one more. Since I want to make sure this book retains the top-notch quality of my other books, I’m putting it through the same rigorous process of editing—content, line, and copy.
My fourth lighthouse book!
Meanwhile, in addition to all of the promotional stuff that goes with having two books release in such short succession as well as audio and indie projects, I also have one other responsibility. One, teeny-tiny job. Yeah, the writing of my next book. Go figure!
Actually, my writing always takes priority over all my other author responsibilities. I make myself finish my daily word count goal before I tackle any of the other projects. So, the story is well underway and developing some fun, unexpected twists.
So what am I currently writing, you might be asking?
It’s a brand new historical romance series for Bethany House Publishers that will release next year in 2017, starting with a free novella to kick off the three books. I’m not at liberty yet to reveal what the series is about. But I hope that you’ll enjoy reading it as much as I’m loving writing it!
So there you have it! A peek at my desk and all that I’m working on at the present. So who’s ready for a nap? (*raises hand*)
I’d love to hear what you’ve been up to lately! What’s on your desk? Do tell all!
Jody Hedlund
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Oh I am THRILLED for you! I know it must be super crazy! But I know you will succeed in this! 🙂 I was so very happy to learn that there was going to be a fourth lighthouse book! Good for you for taking it upon yourself to make it happen. No matter the description of your new series, I can not wait!!! Since I only discovered your books with the release of Out of the Storm, I still have a few I haven’t read to hold me over until your new releases. 😀 (Halfway through A Daring Sacrifice right now! Thank you NeyGalley hehe) Blessings upon you Jody!
Thanks for being excited with me, Rachel! This is a busy but thrilling ride! I appreciate you being on the ride with me! 🙂 Hope you enjoy A Daring Sacrifice!
Hi Jody, Wow, you do have a lot going on. That’s very exciting! I thought I saw a photo on Facebook from a cover shoot with WaterBrook. It was a woman in a colonial dress, and it was lovely. I thought it was for one of your books, but I didn’t see you mention that in the post. I must have been dreaming. : )
Hi Carrie! Yes, Waterbrook tagged me in that photo yesterday! Looks like the photo shoot was going well! I DO have a fall release as well, but I finished rewrites in December and so am currently between edits on that project! Whew! 🙂
I just finished reading “Luther and Katharina” and wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed it. I’m not Lutheran, but I have always thought of Martin Luther as a true hero of the Christian faith, and when I saw this book advertised on Amazon, I put it on my wish list and got it for myself with Amazon.com gift cards I had received for Christmas. I obtained several books that way, and just started reading one after another until I got to yours. They were all very good, and I truly enjoyed this one. Learned so much I had never known before, and was blown away at the end of the book to find out that so many of the details were true. You did an awesome job. Thank you for writing it.
Hi Andrea, Thank you so much for reading Luther & Katharina! I’m so glad you gave it a try and that you enjoyed it! Yes, I did try to stick as closely to the real facts as possible which is always challenging, but hopefully makes it that much more rewarding for readers. Thanks for stopping by today! 🙂
Wow Jody! You’ve been busy!!! great stuff coming a long for sure. I will be stalking (cough), I mean following (no), checking out your blog next week too to get my hands on that ARC! Thanks again!
I hope you DO stop by Annie! There will be lots of giveaways over the next month, so make sure you keep checking my website and facebook! 🙂
Wow, Jody! I’m exhausted just reading your post. Ha! And don’t you look GORGEOUS on the cover of Family Fiction. So proud of you. I’m anxious to hear about how all your 2016 projects turn out and what you’ve learned from it all. May God bless you with peace of mind and lots of help!
What an exciting update! I think it’s awesome that you’re releasing the audio version of A Noble Groom yourself and the picture of you on the cover of Family Fiction is fabulous. So natural!
I’m proud of you, Jody!
What’s on my desk is that I’m not only downsizing my desk but a five bedroom house with 6 closets , and 3 bathrooms plus other rooms. Many other rooms . We’ve lived in this house for 32 years. Why you might ask. Showed my house to someone who wanted to see it and he made offer. Why not we said since we are getting older. Why not simplify? So that’s what we’re doing. Moving to a 2 bedroom apartment. As for our desk. One desk is going while 1 desk stays. Everything gets downsized. Literally truck loads have gone out. Still not done. That’s what I’m up too. Never show your house unless you’re ready to move !
Big year for you! That’s good news for your readers too! 🙂
I have stacks of books to read and review. We are looking into traveling 2,000 miles to Washington state to meet our newest niece (with our 4 children ages 4-11). After the last trip two years ago when we drove 3 long days with sightseeing, we said never again but we miss them! So we’re constantly comparing gas prices, train tickets, rental cars, lodging, etc. and I’m making a baby quilt for her!
What a busy year you’re going to have, but that bodes well for those of us who wait impatiently for each new book. 🙂
I’ve been trying hard to maintain my writing time amidst a chaotic household. Our son’s family moved in with us in early December when there was a plumbing-related flood at their house. They had to leave during restorations which still aren’t complete, so their lifestyle and ours have been in upheaval. My hubby’s office has to be used as another bedroom, so his computer equipment now shares the desk in mine. We’re all compromising, knowing that the situation is temporary, but the end still isn’t in sight so it’s difficult.
How does it feel to be a “cover girl”? I hope you find time to actually enjoy your success! Blessings! 🙂