I was asked this question often while I was writing A Better Life. From friends and potential readers, it was mostly out of curiosity about what kind of book I was writing and who I thought my audience would be. I wasn’t sure; I just wanted to tell the story as well and as true as I could.

The question took on more importance when it came from potential agents as I began sending out my completed manuscript. As a first-time author, it felt a bit pretentious to say that it would appeal to a wide range of people. Agents want their authors to know their target audience. When I had to put it into a category, I said it was “Women’s Fiction,” but that never felt right. I wanted the work to speak for itself and not be restricted to a particular label.

It has been almost a month since A Better Life was published, and as of today, 90 copies have been sold. I am beyond pleased that a wide variety of people — women and men, from their 20’s to their 80’s, have purchased the book and I have had much positive feedback. I believe my audience is turning out to be people who enjoy and are moved by the story and the writing, not because they belong to a particular group, but just because they are human. I couldn’t ask for a better audience.

The love of learning has always been part of who I am. As an educator, I tried to instill that love of learning in my students. Third graders were always eager to learn new things — multiplication, cursive, telling time, and they loved to write.

As I moved on to teaching fourth grade and then middle school, some of my students’ eagerness turned into do we have to? Like many things, if you have to, it can seem less interesting, less motivating, less stimulating. Or so I thought. I am finding I have to do many things in order to succeed as a writer, and they are no less interesting, motivating or stimulating.

When I completed my novel, it opened a new door to learning:

• I learned that finishing a novel is another beginning.
• I learned how to write a query letter and a synopsis.
• I learned that you need an agent in order to get a publisher.
• I learned that each agency has a number of agents, each with their own requirements and interests.
• I learned persistence, and with every rejection I learned the importance of believing in myself and my work.

Then, I decided to self-publish, opening another door to learning:

• I learned about Kindle Direct Publishing.
• I learned how to format and publish a novel.
• I learned that publishing a novel is another beginning.

Now, in the midst of marketing and promotion, I have opened another door to learning:

• I learned how to create a web site/blog.
• I learned how to create a Facebook page.
• I learned about Instagram and have started posting.
• I am learning to reach out to people and create a social media presence.

Most of all, I am learning how supportive people are, how genuinely my family, friends and acquaintances want me to be successful in this endeavor. It makes this writer’s journey all the more enjoyable to have such beautiful company.

My first novel is published, available now on Amazon.com. It is difficult to find the words to express how it feels to have an actual book out in the world for people to buy and read and hopefully enjoy. I wonder what people will think on so many levels — the writing, the story, the characters who are so much more than words on a page. I am looking forward to readers’ reactions and comments and feelings about the story as I continue to work on my second novel while promoting A Better Life.

Having a Facebook page has been incredible for getting the word out about the book, creating a bit of anticipation about its release. I plan to have a book launch soon and will let everyone know when a date is set. Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive, and thank you in advance to future readers. I very much welcome your feedback.

Oh, I had a little trouble finding it on Amazon today, but I thought because it was new, maybe there were still a few glitches. I called and spoke to a young woman at Amazon about searching for it and she suggested putting in both the title and author; otherwise she said cleaning products would come up. Good to know.