I had a book signing today, with a fellow YA author (one whom I adore, by the way). She is newer to the profession, and every time someone came to speak with me, mentioning they were a fan of my work, or anticipating the sequel, she became a bit envious of my success.

Personally, I still believe I'm at the beginning of my publishing journey. I sold 13 books today at the signing, yet I know a more prominent author might have sold 40. Two years ago, however, I might have sold none.

Here's my advice for myself, this fellow author, and anyone else thinking of writing and publishing: There will always be someone ahead of you on the journey. That being said, there will always be someone behind you on the journey too. You might not have sold ten thousand copies of your latest novel, but you are ahead of the person who hasn't even written theirs. I'm sure authors on the the New York Times Bestseller list, compare themselves to authors who have been on the list twice. Or five times. Or a hundred.

So there just isn't any point in comparing. Where you are at in the journey is where you are at. And good job, by the way! Good job to you and good job to me.

I'm fine with where I'm at. I'm proud of what I've accomplished. I can't wait to see where I go from here.