Some seasons of life move slowly, and others seem to race ahead. This summer has definitely been the second kind for me. With October drawing closer each day, I wanted to pause and share an update on how things are taking shape.
Publishing a book often looks neat and polished from the outside—like it just appears on Amazon one day, ready for readers. But behind the curtain, there’s a lot of learning, trial and error. The hurdles along the way have tested both my patience and my coffee supply. I thought it might be fun to give you a peek at what’s been happening as we get closer to launch day.
What’s happened since the last update?
I’ve actually managed to get a surprising amount done. The edits are finished (whew!). The author page and website are up and running—which is shocking, considering my tech skills basically stop at clicking buttons and muttering at the screen. My son-in-law, who speaks fluent geek, helped me untangle all the metadata, SEO wizardry, and whatever else goes on behind the scenes. On top of that, the newsletter mailing list is finally working. It’s been a steep learning curve, with more stumbling than I’d like to admit, but somehow it’s all coming together.
So, what’s next?
This week, the manuscript goes to the formatter. Meanwhile, I’ll be working with my editor and graphic designer to finalize the back cover and end matter copy. I’ll also be setting up my Amazon KDP account so everything is ready for launch. Once that’s done, the advance reader copies (ARCs) will go out to the launch team. If all goes according to plan, the book goes live on Amazon on October 15th. It’s incredibly exciting—and a little surreal!
Still, there’s grace in the small things.
Even with so much still ahead, it’s thrilling to notice the little milestones adding up—things that not long ago felt completely impossible. Every time I overcome a tear-inducing digital hurdle or navigate a frustrating detail with my graphic designer, I see how God is using the struggle to teach me humility, focus, and trust. It’s a reminder that growth is as much about the journey as the outcome (and also that tears are cleansing!). I’m thankful for those lessons, for the way they stretch me and remind me to rely on His guidance. I’m also thankful for the quieter moments, when God shows up in small, ordinary ways. Maybe it’s His peace when I feel overwhelmed, and other times it’s the gentle nudge I need to keep going. Sometimes it comes through a helpful idea or kind word from some of you guys.
You help me more than you know!
I’m so glad you’re here for this part of the ride. These updates aren’t just about ticking boxes on a publishing checklist—they’re about sharing the messy middle with people who care enough to read along. Knowing you’re on the other side of the screen makes all the difference, and it makes me look forward to October 15th even more. When the book finally goes live, it won’t feel like I got there alone—it will feel like we arrived together.
Join and Subscribe
If you haven’t yet joined my Facebook author page or subscribed to the newsletter, I’d love for you to. That’s where I’ll be sharing behind-the-scenes updates, launch news, and a few fun extras along the way. Just click the links below, sign-up, and you’re in!
From deep inside the what-in-the-world-am-I-doing jungle,
Kaye
