Begin Again Giveaway

Sometimes life sends unexpected curveballs. For the past three years I’ve been wonderfully comfortable in my writing and publishing world. Perhaps even lackadaisical. I had three novels published, two memoirs lined up for publication, and a third in the making. I was confident I had a home – a permanent home – for my work. I was wrong.

A little history. On July 1, 2013 I received an email from a man I’ve grown to admire and respect, a man who has been the recipient of my innumerable questions, always with clear, good-humored responses. When Jesse James Freeman sent that email on behalf of Booktrope, an offer to publish my first novel, I was thrilled, beyond thrilled, walking on clouds thrilled.

By New Year’s Eve 2013, Running Secrets was in print. Biking Uphill was in editing, and I was writing Walking Home. By April 2015 The Alki Trilogy was complete.

For personal reasons, I decided to hold off on publishing the memoirs right away. Now I see the error of my ways. I was confident, cocky, and terribly naïve about the publishing industry. Last Friday I opened my email to these words:

We are deeply saddened to share the news that Booktrope will be ceasing business …

Ceasing business? I didn’t see it coming, didn’t even think about the possibility. In today’s world of publishing, you’d think I’d have considered this. I didn’t.

Still, I am grateful to the folks at Booktrope for giving an unknown writer a chance. I am equally grateful for the friendly, supportive community of talented writers and editors, designers and publicists I’ve met through the unique team-based model of publishing that defined Booktrope.

I do not know my next step. I have no clear idea how to begin again. I’m guessing the traditional publishing route is no longer an option (if it ever was). Having lost confidence in the indie press world, I may opt to self-publish. But these decisions do not need to be made just yet.

For now I simply want to thank all of you who have bought, read, and reviewed my books. Your support has been a true gift.

To anyone who has begun the trilogy and might be considering the purchase of the remaining titles in paperback, now is the time to buy them. As of June 1, 2016 The Alki Trilogy will be unavailable in e-book or print format with the exception of out-of-print editions sold by third party vendors on Amazon.

If you prefer e-books, please contact me at aw@arleenwilliams.com. I would like to offer you a free e-book in exchange for an honest Amazon review. If you'll post on Goodreads as well, all the better!