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Harlie Has An Annoucement

 

Harlie has an announcement to make and I hope that you will understand where I’m coming from and celebrate with me.

As some of you know, I am a published author.  My debut short was published on December 26, 2012 with MuseItUp Publishing.  Since then, I’ve been working on three different MS or should I say, they are sitting on my computer waiting to be worked on.  And there lies to problem.  When my debut published, Harlie’s Books exploded, in a good way.  I had more work than I could handle. 😉

I had decided that May was going to be my personal NANO month and well…that didn’t work out at all.  Baseball season started, in laws visited and just plain, getting ready for the end of the school year.  I’m exhausted, cranky and I needed a break.  See, as soon as The Couple was released, I should have been writing on the next book but found myself too busy on Harlie’s Books to do so.  In some ways, I really felt like a failure.  Since my debut was short (20 pages), it didn’t do very well.  I found out that most people don’t read short stories and don’t take the time to read them for what they are worth.  L  I had authors tell me that you are only as good as your next book.  Don’t worry about your debut, write the next one.  Well, that was easier said than done.  I still had a blog to maintain, books to read and a life, too.

To keep up with Harlie’s Books, I hired an assistant, Liberty Ann and we now have reviewers on board to take over some of the slack from me in reviewing.  It’s with that, that I announce that I’m taking a break from reviewing.  Yes, Harlie is taking a break.  I haven’t read a book for pleasure in over 6 months and I need to focus my energy on getting my MS’s ready for submission.  Now, that’s not to say the books that I have read for review weren’t good; they were, but I need a break from the constant review end of things.  Don’t worry about Harlie.  I’ll be fine and will continue to review books, just not as much.  The calendar has eased for the summer and I will honor every commitment that is on the calendar.  I will continue to do the Harlequin Spotlight on Thursday and I’ve got some really good books to showcase in the coming months.  So now I have restructured my schedule and am working on revving up my creativity.  New books, here I come!  Honestly, I don’t see how my fellow reviewers that have been published do it.  Some of them have had two books release since mine in December.  I shouldn’t compare myself to them but in some ways I do.  I should have been right there with them but instead…

On the flip side of things, Pink will still be around with her sass, snarkiness and all around bugging the crap out of me.  I love her and she frees me in some ways that I can’t describe.

I look forward to the summer even if I haven’t figured out what we are going to do but at least, I’m not in the carpool line until August.  Go me!

26 thoughts on “Harlie Has An Annoucement

  1. Harlie, you know you are loved by the romance community. We support you in any direction you head. Take some time to listen to the voices in your head entertain you with stories, then write them! And reading for pleasure again will help unlock them.
    My kids are all grown-ups, but I’ve been subbing all year. That just ended, and like you, I’m looking forward to time to write. Have a great summer, and may creativity keep you up all night writing into the wee hours!

  2. Very understandable approach, and one I sympathise with. As I’m one of your ‘new’ reviewers, I really look forward to picking up the mantle (probably not with as much flair as you though lol) and carrying on the Harlie tradition of providing great reviews for the excellent authors out there. I hope the MS come together and you find the muse….

  3. Do what’s best for you…taking a break sounds needed! We all try so many “hats” that sometimes we’re swamped. Good Luck!

  4. Harlie’s full of AWESOMESAUCE! This is going to work out fine. May the Creativity Fairy and your Muse play Whack-a-Doodle on your brain throughout the rest of the year at least!! Ya know I love ya more than my luggage. <3 ;)

  5. Hugs, Harlie–good for you for getting some priorities laid down. Write, woman, write! And yes, we’ll keep an eye out for your reviews, too. Just don’t stress them 😉

    1. Thanks Fedora. The books aren’t going to write themselves. LOL! I have a creativity coach that is kicking my butt, too. Love her!

      Harlie

  6. Creative spirits … please hit Harlie with a whack load of creativity – she deserves it! Just not too hard, don’t want to knock her out completely … oh, and she needs some down time to read a book or two, too. 🙂

    1. You are still on for July! The Harlequin Spotlight is my baby and will not go away. I’ve got big authors and books coming this summer. 😉

      Harlie

  7. I sooooo get where you’re coming from! I need to lock myself in a motel room for about a month, with no distractions from family (and where I may *ahem* be kicked off the internet w/o warning, lol!) and WRITE. Go girl….and yes, your book IS coming up on my July Reading list. In fact, I think I’ll go get it right now. Love payday! *rubs hands together*

  8. Go for it, Harlie! Life always seem to find a way to get in the middle of what we want to do. We’ll be looking forward to your next book.

  9. i understand and don’t worry wewill be there when you get more time again ^^ i wish you all teh best with your writing^^

  10. Good for you, Harlie. I totlaly understand the need to write and how daily life can interfere. As much a your blog fans will miss you, you have to do what is right for you so…Go you!

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