BEFORE I BREAK'S One Month Anniversary!

Today is a very special day for me.  It has been exactly one month since the release of my very first book, BEFORE I BREAK.  One month.  4 weeks.  31 days.  744 hours, give or take.  For me, this is an all time high and I am extremely happy about how far I've come.

When religiously raised Cyril Hayes begins his junior year at East Hill High School, every choice he makes suffers a greater consequence, and while facing challenges of friends, family, and love, learns that hate and intolerance are also a very large part of our world today. 

Cyril Hayes is seemingly just like any other male his age. He has the perfect girlfriend, Melissa Summers, his best friend, Jake Rivers, and a lawyer father who brings home enough money to support his family and then some. When Cyril begins his junior year, he doesn't expect his life to spiral out of control when he meets Avery Branson, the new kid in school who has a big secret: he's gay. At first, Cyril doesn't handle this truth well, due to the way he was raised, but as the story progresses, he ventures deep into the reality of homosexuality and begins to accept Avery for who he is. 

Not everyone is happy with Cyril's new friend, including Jake, who believes that homosexuality is a sin and is refusing to budge his beliefs. But Avery isn't the only one at East Hill with secrets, and soon a tragedy will strike, knocking Cyril's world completely off balance and leaving a scar on his heart that will change his view of humanity all together.

When I first came up with the idea for this book, I wasn't exactly sure where I was going with it.  I remember the first day that I sat at the computer to actually write this book and I thought, "What do I even want to do with it when I finish it?  Publish it?  Keep it to myself?  Publish on Wattpad?"  I wasn't sure, but I knew it was a story that needed to be told.  The idea of a straight guy and a gay guy being friends seemed cheesy and almost boring at first, but the dynamics between Cyril and Avery were real, and they grew together as the story progressed.  By the time I finished, I was already craving to know more.

When I finished, I sent out a query letter to 100+ agents, only to be rejected by some (a few were a little harsher or rude than others) and completely ignored by the rest.  That was around the time that I started talking to Nikki Rae, the Amazon Bestselling Author of The Sunshine Series and The Donor.  She explained to me that she self-published her books and it was something that I was strongly considering, despite how many people said self-published authors were not successful.  

Well, because of the type of person I am, I looked into it anyway.  

Of course, Nikki was there through all the trials and tribulations.  At first, I couldn't understand how to do anything (How do I add the interior files?  How do I format?  How do I upload the cover?  How do I add the information?  Should I buy my own ISBN?) but she carefully explained everything when I needed her to.  Nikki Rae also designed the cover wrap for my book, and still for that, I am forever grateful!

When the book was released, I had no idea what was going to come of it.  Not a clue.  I figured it was going to take a while to read readers, but to my surprise, with the ebook being free for five days, the purchases were spiking up.  Of course, I made no money because it was free, but I was getting readers!  To a first time author that's pretty overwhelming because I couldn't wait to hear what readers thought.

To my utter disappointment, even still after a month goes by, I've gotten no reviews except from people I know.  Through this long, crazy process, though, I've learned that the book will get more noticed over time.  I know it will, because I'm not one to give up.  This has been my dream since I was a kid and I'm living it to the best that I can.  Everything all seems to be falling into place. 

So what's up next for me?  There are a few things.

* I am writing the first book in my new series, The Forbidden Darkness Chronicles, which is set to be released a lot sooner than many people might think...it's about Monster Hunters and I think it's pretty cool!

* My short story, "Circus for a Psycho," is being published in a horror anthology by Metamorphosis Editing Services.  Now I am writing a dark romance short story for another one of their anthologies.  

* I have upcoming book signings and presentations in Worcester, MA this month and in December.

So you know what?  I am proud of myself.  I've worked hard to achieve my dream and I think I've done a pretty good job.  With another month here, I know that I can make my dreams become a reality and I can do whatever I want if I put my mind to it.

Happy One Month, BEFORE I BREAK.  You showed me I can do anything if I put my mind to it.