You're Not Alone - An Indie Author Anthology

Hey Everyone!
I wanted to update you on the AWESOME project I have had the honor to be a part of... the Anthology of Short Stories I previously have mentioned, has come to fruition. No really, it has. :) 
And guess what?! My story is in there! :) Woo Hoo! 

I wanted to take the opportunity to share a bit about the project and the people involved. And also to tell you how I came into such an opportunity. :) 

It all starts with one man: Ian D. Moore. 
Author of Salby Damned. 

I met Ian in an Indie Author Facebook Group, along with many others, and one day, he threw out the creative idea of an anthology in honor of cancer support. I don't think I need to go into detail about how awful the "c" word can be, for most of us have dealt with it in some form or fashion. Ian most recently. And he wanted to honor a special woman by paying tribute. How could anyone say 'no' to a request like that?! Not me. And not 25 others! He asked if any of his fellow Indies would be willing to join in and write a story. 
I offered.
I spazzed out. (As I described in a previous post)
I wrote one.
It's in there.
Ta Da! 
Only... it is not that simple. 

In fact, TONS of work has been involved in this project. Authors have taken time away from their individual projects to dedicate time to this work. And if that does not sound like enough of a contribution. Others have edited, designed, sketched, proofed, and spent countless hours formatting this work into an actual book. Team effort to the extreme, my friends. 
But you know what? It is worth it. For all of us. Macmillan Cancer Support will receive ALL the royalties from the sales of this anthology. ALL.... Let me say it again... ALL PROCEEDS GO TO MACMILLAN! 
So that's awesome. And what is even more awesome, is that you can help make that happen! I am dutifully going to take it upon myself to keep you informed on this work and you WILL KNOW when it is released so you can purchase your own copy! 
26 STORIES. DIFFERENT GENRES. DIFFERENT WRITERS. ALL FOR A GOOD CAUSE. 

And we have currently set up a Facebook Page that you can LIKE and follow to join in on the journey. 
https://www.facebook.com/yourenotalone2015

You might recall my overwhelming freak out blog post when I spoke of my beginning stages of writing my short story... if not, let me recap for you. I had just released The Unfading Lands a FEW DAYS before, and of course, was overwhelmed with book launching. But besides being overwhelmed, I was on that stereotypical book high that authors get when they see their work in final existence. I believed I could conquer the world... or in this case... a short story.
So I offered to pitch in.

Well a short story can't be THAT hard, you might think. But I had never written one. And what's more, I felt like a newbie to the group as well as the world of indies. So I was a little nervous. But I also have that Hamilton/O'Neal blood in me that prevents me from ever backing down from a challenge... so I clapped my hands together, drank a big glass of... sweet tea (you thought I was going to say wine, didn't you?) and I set to work. 

The theme for the anthology was set to be 'relationship.' Any type, any aspect, etc. So I started writing. I wanted something fun. I wanted something charming. And I wanted something that might just bring a smile to someone's face. So I wrote about shoes. Who doesn't love shoes?! And I wrote about dating. Who doesn't love dating? (Well, that could be an iffy question actually)... 
But it started taking shape. I wrote it during my stay in Galveston, Texas. So what if I was there to do a book festival for The Unfading Lands.... I was determined, and dang it, I was going to write this short story! ;)
So I did.

I then held onto it for three days. THREE DAYS! Because I was too nervous to send it to Ian and the rest of the clan. What if they didn't like it? What if it was NOT what they were looking for? What if they just laughed and were like, "Seriously? This Katharine girl just wasted our time?" 
I was nervous. Super nervous. But you know what? I pressed send. 

A few days later, Ian contacted me letting me know it would go into review and be proofed, etc. 

A nail-biting few days later, Ian contacted me again and said they only had to tweak a few things... I had naturally forgotten this would be a publication originating in the United Kingdom, so my East Texan way of drawling my words out may have been a bit difficult to understand with the punctuation and grammar I used. So they tweaked a few commas, tweaked a few words, and added a few "u's"... (i.e. Honour vs honor, colour vs color) but the rest of the story stayed the same. And then he said they would love to include it in the anthology. PHEW! 
So it is now in there, and I am still rather nervous. I have the hopes it will cheer some people up, make a few hearts sigh, and bring a few smiles. We shall see. But if my story won't, I can guarantee there are others in the anthology that will! :) 

So many gifted and talented men and women from ALL OVER THE WORLD have contributed to this project, and if that doesn't get your bonnet buzzin' then perhaps the fact it could possibly be released in a month or so definitely should! I will keep you posted, my friends.

In the meantime, check out the awesome cover. Check out the Facebook Page. And do Macmillian a favor and share this post and any other post you may come across about this project. Our success in sales only benefits a worthy cause, and you can help! :)

Until next time,
Katharine

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