Of FROM DARKNESS - AWAKENING!

Happy and honored to say that one of my readers donated a copy to the Patient's Library at the Sloan Kettering Hospital here in New York City! It means a lot to me that it is waiting there for readers looking for a book to read.

Libraries have always meant so much to me. I remember my first visit when the shelves looked tall as buildings!

I was in a euphoric state of shock learning I could actually take these books home with me to read! My mother had to take me every week so I could take out the maximum number of 5 books!

And that's why the first acknowledgement in my book is to Andrew Carnegie for building our libraries!

FROM DARKNESS - AWAKENING is my first published a book. And decided to publish it in three books because it was longer all together than the average size the agents demanded. The four agents that were interested insisted I cut it down to the size of my first book, and I worked hard to do that, and then realized I had cut the heart and the richness of the story out of the book.

Given the revolution in self publishing and my desire to publish my story as I wrote it, edited and polished of course, I decided to self publish. What I"m stressing here is I'm new at this.

Because I've realized or come to see that I was bringing the books out too fast. One a month., I now see, does not give readers time to wait out the mailing time to receive the book and time to read it before the next one would be out there.

And then I had blogged an invitation to review or blurb the second book when my readers were just starting or still in the middle of the first book! Of course when I find a book I really enjoy I'm glad the writer has other books waiting for me to order. But bringing them out each month also didn't give readers who offered to review  enough time to read, and then write blurbs or review!

So, I will be bringing out NET OF JEWELS in Early Spring, and RETURNNNNNNN Late Spring.  Spring alone is a nice thought! These new release dates will give everyone, including myself, more time,  even if they race through it, like some who wrote me that they read FROM DARKNESS - AWAKENING in two days! And are now rereading it again! And if I get blurbers who send them to me earlier I'll bring NET OF JEWELS out earlier.

I'm also working on getting the e Readers out and apologize to those who prefer that version, or like me, like the convenience of having and reading from both the book and the e book version, or at least having that choice. But I now have someone working on the conversion of Book One so it is in process.

I will say as a bit of a teaser, that the development of the cover for Book Two - Net of Jewels, that the designer & I have been working on for a while,  has just taken a huge leap and will be even more awesome than we originally imagined!

So no rush. If you are anything like me, I find between the job, home, friends and family I am rushing all the time! So we shouldn't have to rush our pleasure. So enjoy Julie Norwood's adventure in FROM DARKNESS - Book One - Awakening! And Book Two - NET OF JEWELS will be out soon!

And I love hearing from my readers! So do continue emailing me! Or comment here! Love it! Again, it's my first time. And hearing from you is both encouraging and the icing on the cake!                                        
                                                                                                                                                                                   -- Jacqueline

I'm working on the final edit of FROM DARKNESS - Book Two - NET OF JEWELS and wondering who might be interested in receiving an uncorrected reviewers copy soon so that they can read it and write a blurb for the book. Your blurbs are printed inside the book.
Book One - AWAKENING had seven wonderful blurbs so I realized I should start asking now. NET OF JEWELS is 300 pp. And you need to have read Book One - Awakening because Net of Jewels continues the story.
If you are interested in writing a blurb or a review contact me on my home page with the contact form. Thanks!
And if you are willing to write a review and post on Amazon once the book comes out let me know and I'll send an uncorrected Reviewers copy to you.
And if you have read FROM DARKNESS - AWAKENING,  please do post a review on Amazon if you like. The more reviews I get I believe there is more of a chance that my book will pop up when someone is searching for a supernatural. Visit my page on Amazon to read the reviews I already have.
Click on my name to go to my page on Amazon.    Jacqueline Stigman 

Got a second review. Happy me! Between the first one a 4 star and the next one a 5 star I now have average on Amazon of  4.5 stars! Very exciting for me and helpful for readers.  Thank you to the readers who reviewed! It helps everyone!
Today I'm doing layout for the E-Reader version for half the day, then switching to read thru of Book Two - NET OF JEWELS
that will be released end of February!

A feeling like no other!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Four Stars!
As I understand it, the more reviews I get, Amazon will start suggesting my book to people who are looking for a similar book. Not sure, but think that's how it works. Readers, do write a review if you feel moved to. Happy me. Now finally to dinner and Downton Abbey. 10pm. A very special night. I only want to make the next one better for you all.

For me, a first time author, your enthusiasm has been wonderful! And so encouraging!

Writing a book is only half the story. You - the reader - complete the story - And bring it to life!

Of course, a movie deal would help with that too . . .  : )

Now, to get back to my final read-thru to prep Book Two - NET OF JEWELS so it will be ready late February as promised.
And later confer with the designer about the awesome cover!
                                                                                                                                        - Jacqueline

I did not go looking for a book to write. This book, FROM DARKNESS, Book One of three volumes,  came looking for me.  At least that's how it seemed.
It didn't "download" as JK Rowling says HARRY POTTER happened to her, when she was riding the subway, or I believe as she would call it the tube. 
However, I do remember the moment the idea came to me - out of the blue.
I was visiting a friend up near Salem, MA.  when One night just before falling asleep, I suddenly got the idea for FROM DARKNESS. The only problem, a mere detail, was as a painter and poet I didn't have any idea how to write a novel.!
But the idea persisted and would not go away. So I began.
And because the seed of the book took place in the early 1800's,  I began writing FROM DARKNESS late one night at my roll top desk by candle light, writing with a quill pen.
I wrote about 10 or so pages that way until the splotches began distracting the painter in me and I took to writing with pencil and pen.
I wrote the whole book by hand. Writing a few pages a day before, during, and after my day job. Then the next day I would type in what I'd written into my computer.
In a wonderful book called BLACK ELK SPEAKS,  Native American, and Medicine Man, Black Elk is quoted as saying, and I'm writing this from memory now:  We are not given our dreams to keep to our self. "
I am so happy to finally share my dream, FROM DARKNESS, with all of you, and I only hope it gives you as much pleasure as it gave me to write.  I wrote this book because I had to. And I wrote this book for you.    - Jacqueline