This all started because of a dream I had.
In 2006, I had a book published by Spring Creek Book Company. As all traditionally published authors know, the publisher gets the say in the cover and the title of the book. Mine was called A Little Sisterly Advice. It’s the story of Julia Cronquist, a college freshman, and her heart rending crush on a guy she sees on campus but doesn’t have the nerve to meet. She’s got a lot going for her, but she doesn’t know it, and she gets some dubious advice about guys from her popular older sister, Bianca. Following that advice garners Julia trouble and hilarity.
In its day the book sold well. In facttttt, it was briefly #1 on the Deseret Book bestselling list. And on days when I feel like a writing schlump, I have the screenshot printout to remind myself of that.
Anyway, on Saturday morning I woke up, and I remembered my dream, that I’d renamed that book and put a new cover on it. And that the title was Hopeless Crush, which was pretty close to what I wanted to name the manuscript originally. (I also had some other, really stupid ideas for titles, which I won’t regale you with now. You’re welcome.)
So, even though I should probably have spent more time mulling and considering it, I just bombed ahead, found a cover shot I liked, got some feedback from Ginny, my redheaded niece (to whom the book is dedicated), some help from some awesome friends in my ANWA writers group (thanks, ladies!) and from Dave, a.k.a. the Wizard, and designed the dang thing. Because the text had been professionally edited when originally published, at least I didn’t have to sweat that, though.
After a late night fighting with the details on Monday, I finally triumphed over technology, and it’s up and available on Kindle! Yay! Here’s the cover design. Do you like it?
Maybe you or a teenager in your life would enjoy reading this fun, coming of age book. It’s light fiction, just escapist. DO NOT assume this will change your life. It is not the Great American Novel. It’s titled “Hopeless Crush,” for heaven’s sake. But, here it is for your consideration. And, can I ask a favor? Will you spread the word about it?
Oh, and important note! It’s still the same book as before, so if you were one of the kind, wonderful people who read it back in 2006, THANK YOU! And don’t feel obligated to read this again. Haw.
Oh, and another thing–here’s the blurb.
Nothing is going like Julia Cronquist planned. She was going to go to Julliard. She was going to have a glamorous life as a musician. She was going to live on the East Coast. But no. Now her parents have up and moved her family to Nowhere, and she has just watched her dreams evaporate.
Still, she’s got pluck, and she’s going to make the best of her freshman year at
Enjoy!
