Two Years Today!

In the craziness awesomeness that is my life, I almost forgot that today is the two-year anniversary of my publication journey!

Exactly two years ago today, I became a published author.

It really doesn’t seem possible.  Two years seems entirely too long, and extremely short all at the same time.

Yesterday, I received a box full of the translated Italian version of Within These Walls at my doorstep.  I’ve signed several other foreign deals with other countries since this specific deal, but I just don’t think I’ll ever get over this feeling.  To know my books are being sold all over the world, in their native tongue.  If the newebie author in me two years ago had been told something like that this would eventually happen, I would have never believed it.

Two years ago, I was still hoping to sell more than five copies of When You’re Ready…specifically to people who weren’t not related to me. 🙂

I can never fully express how much my readers mean to me–how none of this would even be possible if you hadn’t taken a chance on a unknown author with a love for chocolate and a dorky personality.

Thank you for loving my words.  Thank you for falling in love with my characters.  You’ve given me the opportunity to show my daughters that dreams really do come true, and you can, in fact, do what you love every day of your life.

Here’s to another two years.  I can’t wait to see what the bring.  We’re branching out of the indie world next year, and breaking into the bookstores!!  J.L. Berg will soon be in Barnes and Noble and beyond!  Forgetting August is due out sometime early next year and is being published by Forever (Grand Central) and I seriously can’t wait to share this duet with everyone!!

I’m also hoping (fingers crossed) to squeak out another standalone at the very beginning of 2016.  Still undecided on the title–which is odd for me.  The titles usually come to me almost as quickly as the idea, but I’m working on it!  But it’s a story I’ve been dying to get on paper (computer?) for a while now!  And then once that is done, it’s time for ROMAN!!  I know you guys are dying for him and I promise…I PROMISE, he’s coming. (no pun…well okay, maybe a little pun intended)

And lastly, since I’ve turned this into an reflection/updates post, I’ve started a campaign with my swag to raise money for charity.  Generally, all of my swag is given away at events.  But, then I thought it might be better served for a specific cause.  This past December, I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Rheumatoid Arthritis.  It’s completely altered my life–in ways I never imagined.  and before my diagnosis, I really had no clue what an autoimmune disease really was–or the fact that young people could even get arthritis.  In an effort at educating the public and raising money towards a cure, I am selling a few items of swag (pictured).  All proceeds will be donated to the National Arthritis Foundation.

If you are interested in purchasing, please click the link below.  It will take you to the ordering document.

Thanks for taking this ride with me.  I hope you stick around for a few more loops and turns.

Love you all,

Jenn (JL)