I'd like to take a moment to direct your attention to the webpage ofElderlemon Design, the ebook cover design company run by Kealan Patrick Burke. Though I have yet to meet Kealan in person (something I hope to change in the near future), I have been a fan of his work for some time. I am speaking not only of his kick ass covers, which have appeared on the works of many horror greats, but his fiction as well. I would highly recommend checking out any of his novels or short story collections, especially my personal favorite, KIN. You can thank me later.You'll notice, after navigating to Elderlemon's homepage, several examples of Kealan's design work. And if you read modern horror, you'll surely recogonize many of the author's names: J.F. Gonzales, Tim Lebbon, Bentley Little, and Jonathan Maberry, to name a few.And then, on the last row, right next to the great Bentley Little of all people, is some asshole named Asher Ellis:Again, if you read modern horror, you may already be singing: "One of these things is not like the other, one of these things just doesn't belong."Or, to quote myself the first time I saw this:"Da fuh?"Needless to say, to see yourself in a gallery among those who you've admired for so long is quite a thing. I imagine it must be equivilant to what a rookie feels the first time he takes the field after hearing his name announced over the stadium speakers. Or the first time a garage band hears their song on the radio, sandwiched between Jack White and the Black Keys.I have heard from many of my fellow writers that the thrill of witnessing the release of your first published novel is a fleeting experience. The excitement, apparently, comes and goes, leaving you with a feeling of "Now what?" before the party can ever begin. This makes sense to me, as writing (professionally) is a job after all and should be treated as such. You only get "x" amount of time to pat yourself on the back and then it's time to get back to work.Knowing this is true, I feel it's important for writers, and all artists, to cherish moments like these. If I am fortunate enough to publish several books in my lifetime, I know a day will come when I will no longer feel as much excitement as I do now when looking at the pic above.  On the same note, I'm sure Stephen King still feels a great deal of satisfacton and accomplishment whenever his latest novel hits the shelves. But I'm also willing to bet he didn't jump for joy nearly as high whenRevivalcame out last year as he did whenCarriewas first released into the world.So to my fellow writers: I know we're taught to feel shame when we self-promote, and not to let positive reviews lift us too high, and to carry on that timeless tradition of being insecure, self-doubting artists. And while I do believe pride should always be kept in check, there's nothing wrong with enjoying, and more importantly, appreciating your moments, no matter how modest a victory they may be.So if something good happened to you today, shut the door, close the blinds, and dance your ass off.And then get your ass back behind that keyboard. You've got work to do :)(You can find the books of Kealan Patrick Burkehere...and speaking of books, THE REMEDY is now available oniTunes,Nook, andKobo.)