Help me spread a story of Joy.

I should be editing this morning. BUT, I’m finding it hard to concentrate, so I figured it’d be helpful to share what I’m feeling. You guys seem to like it when I’m vulnerable.

I’m finding it increasingly hard to remain positive about the world and current events.

There is so much division, frustration, anger, fear, and harsh words, and it’s insanely easy to get caught up in it. Every status or comment I read, I feel the respective emotion boiling up in me.

I’m already tired of it. So, here’s the deal. I’m asking all of you to help me spread the Joy. A couple of years ago, I went through a program that helped me determine my life’s mission. If you dumbed down my life to one sentence…what is the point of me and my life? To bring Joy. That’s it, pure and simple. Writing has been an amazing way for me to attempt to do that.

In my opinion, I have written the best kind of story. The Door Keeper is a story where joy, peace, and hope prevail and *spoiler alert* FEAR is the villain. One thing I want us all to remember is that fear can not withstand joy, hope and peace. It crumbles under the weight of it.

So let’s crumble the fear, frustration, anger, and division for just a moment. Help me share a story of joy, hope, family, reconciliation, and forgiveness. Because, even if it only lasts the time it takes you to read the story, at least fear falls to the wayside for a moment. And in my opinion, every single moment joy winning over fear is a victory.

The Awkwardness of Self Promotion.

If I’m being completely honest, this part of the job is the weirdest. I’m not even going to say hardest, because it’s not especially hard, it’s just…weird.

I wrote a story and I think you might enjoy it. Unfortunately the only way for you to find out about it, is for me to tell you. So here comes the dilemma. I have to go around saying:

Buy my book! Buy my book! Buy my book!

I’ll try to say it a bunch of different ways so you don’t get annoyed…but chances are, you will still get annoyed. And just so you know, I’m sorry. I don’t mean to.

But I need you to know, it’s not about the “buy.” If you find someone to lend you my book, that would be awesome, and sounds great to me.

It’s not about the “my” either. I would like this story if it were someone else’s. I think it’s a fun, entertaining story that people my age who is wrestling with being a mom and making her mark on the world, will love and relate to.

It’s simply about the “book.” It’s about The Door Keeper and Eden and Gabby. For me, it’s all about the characters and their journeys. So maybe I should change my chant to:

Read Eden’s story! Read Eden’s story! Read Eden’s story!

Important question, how can I promote this story with out you feeling like I’m self promoting? I would love to know how to better connect to you as a reader. How do you pick the stories you read? What is my best chance to get this story into your hands?

Pre-order The Door Keeper today!

Today is the day friends! 

Starting today, you can order The Door Keeper to arrive on your Kindle (or any device connected to your Amazon account) on February 20th. *Cue dance party break*

Here is the Link: Amazon

BUT, before you click and go buy it, (and share this post with your friends so they can buy it too), make sure you take a screen shot of your purchase, because starting today I’ve opened my first giveaway!

If you email me a picture of your receipt, or a copy of it, I’ll enter you to win an amazing Launch Party gift bag. I am hosting a party for all my beta-readers after my book officially releases and will be giving them a bag of goodies themed “Eden’s favorite things.” (Almost $40 worth of stuff ranging from bookmarks, key necklaces, Caelum bath bombs, etc.) But I want to extend this fun prize to ALL my readers, hence the contest! I will pulling the winner’s name on January 24th, so you have one week to enter.

Now, don’t worry, if you are more of a hard copy reader, I’ll be doing many more giveaways including you after the official launch when you will be able to purchase a print copy. I’ll also be doing promotional giveaways on social media and other really fun stuff over the next few weeks, so stay tuned!

So, click HERE, go pre-order The Door Keeper, then make sure you forward a copy of your purchase to me at steen@thedoorkeepertrilogy.com.

Good luck and thank you so much for all of your support! Don’t forget to share with your friends so they have a chance to enter the contest.