Long story short—my debut novel “Promise Full of Thorns” has been un-published, that is, it is no longer available from publisher, Sunbury Press. What an apt title—the thorns! The novel I wrote, edited, and fretted over for seventeen years had a short life span—five months, from January to June 2023.

It is now a “limited edition” as well as a “first edition.” A few copies are available through Amazon and direct (signed) from me. It is available at the local Cedar Mill library in Beaverton, Oregon.

Now, with my copyright restored to me, I hope and plan to publish a new edition of “Promise Full of Thorns” with a new cover in 2024.

My sad publishing story isn’t the worst, however. Dana Shavin writes in the August 2023 issue of “The Writer” magazine that an author was dropped by her agent and publisher after publishing her fifth book. Shavin adds, “there are changes in wind speed and direction that we can’t see coming in the publishing world.”

One of the factors causing upsets in publishing is the rising cost of printing. The price hike of my novel was the spark that lighted my disagreement with the publisher who subsequently dropped my book.

Writers who are new to the realities of publishing are often surprised and upset (as I was) with the lengths of time for responses from agents and publishers, and the months-long waits between signing a contract and the start of editing and other processes leading to the book’s release. For me, it was about fifteen months between signing the contract and being contacted by my editor.

It was a joy to have my novel released. Now, my balloon is only temporarily burst. Re-publishing awaits! My advice to other writers facing rejections; long waits; or difficult publishers, agents, or editors is this: Don’t become jaded, don’t give up! Shavin’s article in the August “The Writer” is worth the encouraging read.