TODAY IS THE DAY: my book is born!
Good morning!
Like every day you've dreamed of since you were a child, today feels more normal than you expect. I woke up to my alarm, and immediately felt the stress in my body that could also be the Chinese food I've eaten for 3 straight meals on account of barely being able to feed myself recently. I had my first cup of coffee on the couch,and then I moved here to the desk, where it is not yet sweltering as it will be this afternoon. The computer and the air conditioner blow the fuse if they run at the same time. I feel relieved, I think. I feel, hollow, in a way. I feel nervous and excited.
Today is the day my debut novel comes out in the world. We did it, Joe!
In case you have muted me on every platform or have just returned from the Alaskan wilderness: GOD SPARE THE GIRLS is out today. It's the story of two sisters who are the daughters of a mega-church mega-famous evangelical pastor who has a secret that will upend their lives. It is a story I could have used in the past and that I hope will help some people in the future. It's the hardest I've ever worked in my whole life.
There are stacks of paper in boxes under my bed of drafts. People keep asking me how many but I don't know. Maybe there have been 20 real full passes? Maybe it's fewer than that, and my mind exaggerates, but it also could be more. There were so many. I spent years with this story, with these girls, with the questions this book is trying to ask, and it's scary to have it born into a world where it could both mean nothing or everything to someone who picks it up.
But today, I am trying not to think about the readers too much. I am trying to think about me. My childhood self was kind of a strict rule-following asshole, so there's a lot she wouldn't be proud of me for, but even this she would know is a big deal. I didn't know anyone who had written a book when I was a kid. I didn't know anyone who had written a book until I went to college. Writing a book isn't something that everyone does. It's special, I repeat to myself. It matters.
I tried so fucking hard. And I'm proud of myself for it. I have written the best book that I possibly could at that time. I have promoted this book as well as I can and I have done my best. There is nothing else left for me to do except wait and see.
This next phase is determined by the readers, by the world. I can't do anything more. Many of you have been asking me how to help. This is extremely nice of you! That is what this newsletter is for. Below this you'll find all the ways you can help support this book, if you want to. You do not have to do any of these things. You have already done so much for me just by reading my emails.
Thank you to all of you who subscribe to this newsletter. So many of you finanically supported me through the Substack version during the phases where I was drafting this book. I wonder if, without that support, I would have had the mental space to work on this, or if that would have been consumed by concern about money. So thank you. Thank you for supporting me, for responding to all my silly emails, for reminding me that we are all on this big floating rock in space together. Thank you for being proud of me. I'm proud of me too.
Now the buisness portion of the program.
EVENT TO CELEBRATE TONIGHT:
TONIGHT at 7:00 PM EST, I will be having a debut event ONLINE at Lost City Books. What this means is that if you want to, you can go on your computer to this link and RSVP. Then tonight, at 7;00 PM EST you can watch me and the icon Lyz Lenz discuss the book. This is a book reading but it is on your computer. Bring a margarita. It is mandatory to bring a treat for yourself.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Buy GOD SPARE THE GIRLS!!
Capitalism is a bitch, but she's ours amiright? The most direct way to help is to purchase a copy of GOD SPARE THE GIRLS. You can buy it at your LOCAL BOOKSTORE. This is ideal because then they might also order a few more copies.
If you want a SIGNED COPY, that link is right here.
You can order it from Bookshop dot com, which has FREE SHIPPING today.
You can order it from from Barnes & Noble or from the dreaded Amazon. My amazon account is saying that you can save 50% if you buy two so BUY TWO.
If you are a millionaire with lots of money and an open heart, you may buy several copies and place them in your local free libraries for people who do not have the means.
Request the book from your local library!!
If you are not a millionaire, hate hardback books, or don't even know if you want to read this book, you can also REQUEST THE BOOK FROM YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY. This is very helpful! Libraries buy lots of books!!
Usually on the library page, there will be a little link under the contact us page that says "request a book" or something like that. Then you simply request the book.
Review it!
I know. I know. Reviews. Who does them? Not me. I never review anything. I never even read the reviews. But APPARENTLY reviews are very important.
You can review the book on Amazon (yes even if you didn't buy it there). You can review it on Barnes & Noble. You can review it on the Amazon owned reading site Goodreads.
Reviews have something to do with the algorithim that I don't understand, but let's do it anyway for fun. Make a joke while you're there. I'll read them.
Share!!!
The last and probably most important thing you can do with any book you love (or feel an obligation to the writer of this dumb newsletter for) is to share it. You can share it on socials (all my handles are @mckinneykelsey if you want to tag me). You can hand your copy off to a friend. Both will make me cry as they are very nice things to do and also I am very vulnerable right now!
Happy GOD SPARE THE GIRLS day! I did it!