Finally a Published Author. But what Happens Next?

(English version only)

I started this blog back when I first started writing full-time. A lot has changed since then. Mostly I reached the initial goal of finishing and getting my first novel published. That is a pretty big deal, obviously :). Also I don't write full-time anymore, but have a part-time job that leave me one day off a week to keep the writing pot boiling.

The idea of my posts here was always to give an honest account of the ups and downs of writing life. For the past months I have neglected that part of the blog a bit. And maybe that makes sense because a lot of my announcements about the book coming out has taken place on various SoMe channels. But now that it's out and the biggest goal I've ever set for myself has been reached, maybe it's time to ask the question – what happens next? And not least – how does it actually feel to have a book out? It's a question I have been asked a few times already and something I have thought a lot about myself.

Long story short – the journey of becoming a writer is not over. Maybe it's just starting now. And I'll continue onwards describing what it's like. Here goes:

The book is released. It was a blast :). It was awesome and overwhelming and heartwarming to experience the support from people around me. ”Thank you” doesn't really reach far enough when old and new acquaintances, friends, family, colleagues and their friends or children have bought and read the book. Makes me proud and happy and grateful beyond words.
And walking down the young adult book aisle at the local bookstore and spotting my book there, among all the other real books is so great – something I've been dreaming about for years and now it's reality.
And not least – receiving messages from people who have read and enjoyed the book is fantastic. I really think that's the main driving force behind wanting to write stories – for someone else to maybe pick them up and sharing them :).

But then, even in the middle of all the pride and joy and happiness, there is also a surprising amount of self-doubt. Because what does actually happen next?
What if the book doesn't do well enough? Will it get good reviews? Or will it get any reviews at all?

Will it make it to the much-coveted library shelves? Will it make it outside the sphere of my (totally awesome and fantastic) network?



I think it will be for time to really answer this question. The truth is, I don't really know yet. I don't know how far my book will make it. I don't know if it will make it to the libraries of if it will receive positive reviews or be read far and wide. But as a wise person that I am lucky enough to live with said: Maybe the biggest victory has already been won? The book was written. It was published. It's already been read and enjoyed. That's an achievement worth celebrating, no matter what happens next.

He's probably right.
And in the meantime – what happens next is I'll continue to write. There are so many stories waiting in line to be told. If I spend too much time worrying, that's less time to get them told. And that would be a waste, right? ;)