Crickets chirped into the internet ether on this blog.
Pretty sure I’ve done this twice now, but I’d have to go back to the days after Hush was released to be sure.
The thing about it isn’t that I don’t love blogging (I do), but that I am just incredibly BAD at figuring out how to time things. I wrote Hush and somehow managed to align stars so that I was in serious edit phases at the same time as I was writing What it Takes. The day Hush when up for presale? Was the day I had to turn in What it Takes as a manuscript. I was very tired and emotional that day. The next day I pitched a couple of ideas to my publisher because apparently I can’t help myself? Thankfully, I’ve had a lot of time to write this third book I am working on. Not thankfully, I didn’t really think through what it would be like to try to write a book while IN grad school.
Not easy. At least not for me. I juggled grad school and writing the third book for NaNo (or well, the biggest chunk), but have been struggling to get it all together since. And in the time between those, What it Takes came out. A book coming out is a huge emotional investment and event, and the days after are so weird. Like…is anyone reading? Did they like it? What’s happening in the great old world?? The only thing one can do is check Amazon rankings to see if they change at all and obsessively check Goodreads for reviews (people don’t review as much on Amazon? Not sure why, but I’ll tell you guys, it’s pretty helpful to the author, because once you hit a certain number — 50 maybe? — your book starts to pop up as a suggested book which = more exposure).
I was very lucky after What it Takes came out to get such lovely reviews, it has made me so happy to know that you guys loved it! Keep on reviewing, it makes our days and helps our books 😀
That said, I am so close to a finish line with book #3 I can taste it. But I’ve been trying to do well in school (or well, keep up on readings, I do well in school as a rule), juggle new job responsibilities, and right now, deal with some really heavy life news.
Hence, a tiny bit of silence.
That said, Hush and What it Takes just had some great pre-Valentines sales a bit ago, so if you read and want to chat or ask question or anything, I LOVE that. I love interracting with people!
If I’ve read YOUR book recently, and haven’t reviewed (or perhaps not even recently, I owe Melissa Graves a review for her AMAZING book, Tainted Heart, that came out in OCTOBER how awful am I?) it’ll come! I’m just very behind and overwhelmed. You’ll fine out the most about what’s going on in my insane life at the moment if you follow me on twitter. Apparently I can only handle a commitment to 140 characters at a time 😉 I’m @JudeSierra.
In the meantime, if you have NO CLUE what I’m talking about, both Hush and What it Takes are available for purchase now at: Interlude Press Web Store
Amazon, All Romance, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Apple iBookstore, Smashwords, and Independent Bookstores
Jude Sierra 
Jude–You’ve never heard from me, but I have been following your work anonymously for a couple of years now. I’m a huge fan. Last week, in the middle of a work crisis which got compounded with a family crisis, I went back and reread the entire OSU!Verse twice in a row to give myself a break. I’ve probably read it over a dozen times.
Give yourself a break–you are a talented writer, and have managed to break into the rarefied world of published authors! If you can’t blog as much from time to time, everyone will understand. My writing partner and I are just finishing revisions on our first YA manuscript. We are terribly jealous of you, but proud as well. Writing is hard and it never ends. Any time a really thoughtful author like you starts to gain traction in the real world it makes all of us hopeful.
Please know that even though your fans have busy lives and too much on their own plates, and probably don’t post as much as they should in reviews and online, they know you and remember you and read you.
Hugs, congratulations, and please keep writing!
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First of all: thank you so so so much. I am so glad that some of my writing is helpful when crisis hits. I have currently buried myself in rereads of a series of books that are now like old friends. Sometimes you just need to hide in a familiar row.
Second: I am a HUGE YA fan, I devour it, so I cannot WAIT to read your book, whenever possible.
Third: Thank you for taking the time to leave me this kind comment and for the encouragement. I have a feeling that my life is going to get very rough for a bit, and hearing that you’ve managed to reach out and touch someone’s life in anyway is really awesome, you know?
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I am very similar in this way in regard to blogging. You are not alone. I have to say though, I really admire your gumption in taking on and juggling projects. That is incredibly impressive! You’re awesome, Jude! Hang in there.
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Thank you so much!
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