So, a reader read Hot Mess, and left a wonderful review of it, with the caveat of the "book should not be judged by the cover" because she didn't the cover was a good representation of the book. I personally liked the cover, it was exactly what I told the designer I wanted, and she executed my vision wonderfully. Well, Vanessa happened to read the review, and sent me an email saying, "She's right. I made a new cover. Here." The new cover is spectacular. I love it. It speaks to the story I was trying to tell. That's a sign of a great designer. She's read Hot Mess, and she designed a cover to communicate the tone of the story to a potential reader in a way I could never do.

I am truly in awe of Vanessa Booke. She has designed several of my covers (the good ones) and done an outstanding job with them. I was insanely busy with my Mom when she sent me the email about the cover, but I had to take a time out and breathe through the emotions that came. I had told the initial reviewer that I wasn't going to go back and ask my designer to re-do the cover, but Vanessa saw the review on Amazon and took the initiative to do it herself. Maybe it was a professional pride thing on her behalf, I don't know, but it made me feel like somebody was looking out for me, somebody was supporting me wholeheartedly, somebody was being my friend.

So, I'm putting together a sort of care package to send her. I already owe her a bookmark, but I'm going to add a bottle of wine, and some other stuff to send her as a thank you for her support, because the cover is just the tip of the iceberg with her.

I have made some phenomenal friends in this journey into Indie Authorship. Vanessa Booke, Jill Sanders, my writing buddies, and more. I'm feeling pretty rich right now. And that's a great feeling.