As I write this, I have a heavy heart. The shooting in Oregon yesterday was, once again, so senseless, tragic and horrifying.

Along this circuitous publishing journey, I've been doing Q&A sessions with book bloggers. Sometimes the questions are about me and my writing process, sometimes the book.

Yes, you. I am not holding a gun to your head, nor am I threatening you. But I did think this pic of Rick might get your attention.

I have been over-the-moon since August 18th, when Nation of Enemies was released. It's truly surreal. The one thing that, for me, has been missing is, well, the actual book.

I'm not sure I've ever felt like an "author" before. I've hardly ever even claimed (out loud) to being a writer.

Other than reading to my children, I have zero practice reading aloud and certainly not in public.

In my twelve hours as a published author, I've discovered I have an incredibly kind, supportive group of people in my life.

I am ridiculously excited that Nation of Enemies will be released a week from today! A year ago I made a child's wish on a stray eyelash (c'mon, you know you do it too) that my book would be published.

It's almost here. Strange to think that in a month, people (not just my writer group and family members) will be reading my novel.

I stepped out from the entrance of Penn Station, into bright, white light. It felt as though I was swimming but alas, no, it was just the humidity.