Guest Blog: Author Jessica Burkhart

Today I have debut author Jessica Burkhart guest blogging which I am very excited about because:

1. Her new tween series is about an elite horseriding boarding school called Canterwood Crest Academy and when I was a tween I dreamed about both riding horses and going to boarding school (I did sometimes get to go riding on my uncle's fat lazy horses. I did not go to boarding school unless you count the dorms at college).

2. Today is Jessica's (22nd) birthday! Go on over and wish her a happy one.

I'm sorry to say I have not yet read book one, Take the Reins (which came out just two days ago), and though I usually never host guest blogs without having read the book, I made an exception for Jessica.

I will give you the official product description though which I think sounds really fun:

When Sasha Silver and her horse, Charm, arrive on the campus of the elite Canterwood Crest Academy, Sasha knows that she's in trouble. She's not exactly welcomed with open arms. One group of girls in particular is used to being the best, the brightest, and the prettiest on the team, and when Sasha shows her skills in the arena, the girls' claws come out.

Sasha is determined to prove that she belongs at Canterwood. Will she rise to the occasion and make the advanced riding team by the end of her first semester? Or will the pressure send Sasha packing?

Also, book two, Chasing Blue, comes out on March 24, so be on the lookout for that too.

And now, please welcome Jessica! (applause)

Lenore offered to let me guest blog for today, so yay!

I thought I’d do something different and, so I wrote a top ten list of things I’ve learned about the writing biz in a David Letterman style list. Keep in mind that this is just my experience! :)

Top 10 Things I’ve Learned About Writing

10. Do let people who say “Dude, you’ll never make it!” get in your head. Yes, use their comments to fuel your drive. Think of the lovely reward of being able to say, “Told you so!” when you’re published.

9. You’ll still be super insecure by book five. Does it ever go away? I don’t know. Doubt it. I’d miss it, anyway.

8. Don’t make every blog post about your book. The constant posts of “Buy me! Buy me!” are a turn off.

7. Find an agent and editor who back you every step of the way. Without their support, the whole process would be sooo much less fun.

6. Thank everyone who has worked on your book. Multiple times. They’re underworked, underpaid and not appreciated enough. They make your book happen, so acknowledge them!

5. Embrace caffeine. It is your friend.

4. Work your a** off. Enough said.

3. It’s not all about talent. Hard work probably makes up 95% of it.

2. Promote yourself! You’re the biggest advocate for YOUR book. Get out there! Your publisher/editor/agent will notice. Really, they will.

1. When your book comes out, now matter how much you vow you won’t, you spend every free minute stalking your book on Amazon and calling Ingram. If you can’t get to your computer, you add Amazon as a favorite and keep checking. Go with it.