The Birth of a Book

Yesterday was release day for THE GIRL WHO DISAPPEARED TWICE.  Even after two dozen books, I still feel a surge of excitement, butterflies in my stomach, and a burst of pride when I see my “baby” on the bookshelves.  Which brings me to my point.  Researching, creating and writing a book is a great deal like having a baby.  There’s the conception, the gestation, the endless waiting, the pain and pleasure of the ultimate experience, and the wonder and relief of seeing and holding your “child” for the first time.  Maybe that explains why negative reviews hurt so much.  Some anonymous person is calling your baby “ugly”.  No new parent wants to hear that!

In any case, pub day yesterday was wonderful.  I got phone calls, emails, Facebook posts, photos of my book in stores, in people’s hands, in newspaper ads.  I even got a congratulatory note from the FBI!  I was like a kid in a candy store.  Days like that are gifts.  I treasure them and keep them tucked away, to take out on those difficult, frustrating days when the words won’t come and the cursor blinks angrily at me.

So I thank all my readers, colleagues, friends, and family for giving me a magical day.  No matter how many children you have, the birth of a new one is still an inexplicably spectacular experience!