A Dark Day in Sunny California

Today was not such a amazing day after all. In fact, today was a dark disappointment for me. Read Between the Lines didn't arrive in the warehouse or in my office today as originally scheduled.

My publisher called me this morning and said "I might have mislead you when I told you we had received the books yesterday. The warehouse did NOT receive the books, and your scheduled delivery is also delayed."

Here comes the rain.

What happened was Read Between the Lines was never put on the truck for delivery last Friday, as originally scheduled AND I was never told this until today. What the publisher received yesterday was just a few advanced copies that were shipped from the plant last week.

That's it.

The rest of the books were still sitting at the plant, waiting to be shipped. When all of this came to light this morning, my publisher did do what they needed to do to get the books sent safely on their way today.

Unfortunately, what this means is that both the warehouse and myself will have to wait until next week to receive them. More importantly, what it means is my books will still have to make that long dangerous journey across the country.

Since risk is one thing I know a little bit about (insurance is my profession) I'm not too worried about RBTL's potential transportation risk. I just want them to get where they need to go... sooner rather than later.

I guess this is one of those examples of how things can't always go perfectly, and that stuff happens that I have absolutely no control over. A reality I don't like to face, but must.

The small glimmer of sun behind my dark cloud is that I'll be getting one copy of RBTL tomorrow. My publisher overnighted one of the copies they received, so I will get to see the actual book just as soon as Joe, our Fed Ex guy, makes his appearance.

I have to admit, it's very nerve racking waiting to see the first copy of my finished book. I think I've asked myself at least 200 times "What if it's terrible, and I hate it?" Then I keep telling myself "Think positive, your thoughts must be what every author goes through when their about to get that first copy of their "baby" they've worked so hard on delivered into their hands for the first time."

Tonight will be a very long night for me. I'm hoping and praying for that bright and beautiful sun to shine in sunny California. I'm also hoping that Joe shows up at 8 tomorrow morning because one things for sure, I'll be watching the door for both him and my newest labor of love, Read Between the Lines to make their appearance.