You probably know by now my novel, Enduring the Waves, will be released on November 20, 2023. The e-book versions are already up for preorder on Amazon (Kindle), Barnes and Nobel (Nook), and Apple Books, with paperback preorders available soon.

I was able to order paperback copies through my publisher’s author portal earlier, and a box filled with my novels arrived on September 24.

Problem: I could not bring myself to open it.

The box haunted me for three days, mocking me and strong-arming me into passive avoidance.

I became frustrated beyond belief. The box contained a giant win, but I felt like I lost the biggest race on earth.

Years of persistence and devotion went into creating the words on the pages inside that box, but something prevented me from allowing them to see the light of day. What the hell was wrong with me? An undescribable discomfort consumed me from head to toe, and all I wanted to do was to crawl under a blanket and hide.

Then, without warning, something shifted.

I saw the box through new lenses, and streams of light gleamed from its four cardboard corners.

The moment was finally right to open it, and I did just that.

I believe I know what prevented me from opening the box, but I am choosing to keep that private because it no longer matters. What does matter is that I hold my book, the book rejected by over 250 entities and accepted by the ONE that was right for me, in my hands. This is my accomplishment, my dream, my voice, and my offering of hope and inspiration to readers.

My right-now self is pretty freaking jacked with pride. I did it, dammit.

I did it.

Thank you for joining me on my journey. I’m glad you are here.

With light and love,

Jill

“Opening the Box” was posted on jillocone.com on October 4, 2023. Views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the writer, who was not endorsed or compensated in any manner by any entity; views do not represent any of my employers. Copyright 2023, Jill Ocone. All rights reserved. Contact Jill with reposting, licensing, and publishing inquiries using any of the links below.