Made It Moment: Peg Brantley
My mother had me back in the day when hospital recovery rooms were shared, and the woman who joined her after she’d had her own babies (twins I grew up with) became her best friend for life.
That’s how I feel about Peg Brantley. Writing is nearly as intense a process as childbirth, and Peg and I began writing mysteries and talking about publication roughly in conjunction with each other. We turned to each other for hope, support, and in moments for me at least of dread disappointment, and as such, we’ll be bonded forever.
If I wasn’t the first to order Peg’s book–you’ll find out who that was in her Moment–I must’ve been close, and I can promise that it is much more than your usual twisty, turny read. The Kindle version is Free, just for today, so please discover this author if you have not. I think you will feel bonded to her as well.
A Few Feel Good Moments
Like many of you, when Jenny asked me to share my “Made It Moment” I thought she’d made a mistake and hit the wrong email address. Then after cleaning up the coffee that had spewed from my mouth and onto my desk, I considered that actually I’ve had a lot of moments that made me feel good. And maybe that’s what “making it” is all about.
Here are a few feel good moments:
- Listening to my husband read my eBook. He occasionally used his ear buds for text-to-speech and when he didn’t, I could hear him click to turn the page. I had never even considered that could be any kind of a moment let alone a joyful one until it happened.
- My first actual sale. I’m pretty sure it was to Timothy Hallinan who is a writer I admire. Tim told me he’d always wanted to be someone’s “first.”
- My first review. From someone I didn’t know. Wow. The idea of a total stranger reading my words and then commenting on their experience was surreal. A little like a stalker but in a good way.
- The first time my book was checked out of Amazon’s Lending Library. As a kid, libraries were wonderful worlds to me, and having Red Tide checked out of the library made me want to cry.
- The proof for the trade paperback. More than anything else, holding my book in my hands made me feel like a real author.
I’m sure there’ll be more. I hope there’ll be more. My first royalty deposit will happen at the end of June. I’m betting that will be a highlight. I haven’t received any “fan” mail, that’ll be fabulous (in a good stalker kind of way).
One thing I’d love? To either attend in person (or via Skype) a book club discussion of Red Tide. That could possibly be the moment when I will feel as if I’ve actually “made it.”
A Colorado native, Peg Brantley is a member of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers and Sisters In Crime. She and her husband make their home southeast of Denver, sharing it with the occasional pair of mallard ducks and their babies, snapping turtles, peacocks, assorted other birds, foxes and deer named Cedric. Red Tide is Peg’s first novel. Her second will be released in late 2012.
Right on target (for me). Knowing that someone who doesn’t know me from a crossing guard actually bought something I wrote? And actually wrote a review? And *liked* the book enough to leave a review that was very helpful? Amazing! I think we live to tell stories (selling them doesn’t hurt…) and having proof of an audience is always wonderful. Thank you for verbalizing that Peg – and good luck!
Comment by Diana Wilder — August 14, 2012 @ 11:10 am
Enjoyed your article. Added your book to my TBR & reviewed list. Always enjoy getting to know something about authors. Best wishes to you both.
Comment by Jake — August 14, 2012 @ 12:03 pm
Diana, sales are a good thing. They’re an affirmation somehow. I know that a lot of authors don’t read their reviews but I’m pulled to them just as I am to the bathroom scale. Good news or bad news, it is what it is… but I love when it’s good news!
Comment by Peg Brantley — August 14, 2012 @ 12:03 pm
Wonderful moments – I think they add up to ‘made it’!! Your book sounds like my favorite type – going to grab a copy now. Best of luck!
Comment by mountainmama — August 14, 2012 @ 12:36 pm
You’re ahead of me. I haven’t tried Skype yet. I’m not too thrilled with the idea of the other party seeing me closeup. Not a pretty sight most of the time!
Morgan Mandel
http://morgansbooklinks.blogspot.com
Comment by Morgan Mandel — August 14, 2012 @ 1:30 pm
Another excellent interview. Peggy, funny how the little things bring the most joy. I’ve downloaded a copy. Much success in the future. Have you contacted Jon Renaud with Back to Books? He has a store in Manitou Springs that only caters to Indie Authors. Bet he’d help you with a book signing. Anyway, good luck. I’ll post a review when finished.
Comment by Jeff Dawson — August 14, 2012 @ 1:38 pm
Mountain Mama, I hope you enjoy Red Tide. I can add some more “made it moments” now, including sales in the UK, France, Germany, Spain and Italy! I love our tiny globe! And yesterday I gave my very first radio interview. What a blast! Life is sooooo good.
As far as Skype is concerned, my sister, author Lala Corriere, and I have begun using it regularly to stay in touch. Emails are nice, but Skype is a lot more personal and immediate. Lala even Skyped a presentation to a writer’s group in another city a few months ago that went very well. And I love, love, love seeing my granddaughter in her London ‘flat’ whenver we can figure out a good time to chat. While I don’t worry so much about makeup with family, I would for sure want to throw some lipstick on for a book club.
Comment by Peg Brantley — August 14, 2012 @ 1:42 pm
Jeff, thanks for the headsup regarding Back to Books. I’ve heard of that store before and will put it on my contact list right now. I hope you enjoy Red Tide. Thanks for your support.
Comment by Peg Brantley — August 14, 2012 @ 1:44 pm
Peg and Jenny,
“Firsts” are always the most exciting. So congrats on publishing that first novel. Hearing from actual readers that they like even love your novel is the greatest high. It’s all ahead of you. The best is yet to come.
Best,
Jacqueline Seewald
DEATH LEGACY
THE TRUTH SLEUTH
THE INFERNO COLLECTION, THE DROWNING POOL–now available in all e-book formats
Comment by Jacqueline Seewald — August 15, 2012 @ 8:21 am
Thanks, Jacqueline. It’s a wonderful time to be a writer.
Comment by Peg Brantley — August 15, 2012 @ 2:54 pm