It was the summer of 2012 when I decided it was time to bring my stories to life again. They had been sleeping for way too long in my computer. It's not that I ever forgot they were there...believe me, I didn't. But you know life, especially with kids, it just gets so busy and before you know it, years have passed (And if I'm being completely honest, a part of me was scared...my first attempt at being published didn't work out so well). I still read them to myself all the time, but it was my kids who finally made me realize it was time for others to read them too. They were my biggest (and smallest) fans and they lit the fire in me again. I guess we all need a push sometimes (even if it’s from tiny hands). So it was time for me to try again...I just didn't know how.
I called up my brother for advice. We both agreed to it was time try again but I really didn't want to bother Bruce (Michael's manager). I knew he had other stuff to deal with, and I felt like he'd already put himself out there to help me before. But Michael insisted that that he would talk to him and see where he stood and if he was willing to try again.
Now, before I go on, I have to cut in here and say that I have a great team. Bruce Allen is an absolutely amazing man with a big heart! He believed in me and my stories from the very beginning! He is crazy busy, ALL THE TIME, yet he gave me his, and continues to! He has become a part of our crazy family...whether he likes it or not!;) After Bruce decided to take on the project again, he asked Sarah Wall in his office to help me out. She now works with her father in a beverage business, but has stayed on with me to continue to manage me with Bruce! She is a force to be reckoned with, a triple threat...brilliant, beautiful and strong, and has been such a huge force behind this book coming to life! She is my “other half,” on the journey! Amazingly, she does all this while having a full time job, and is a mom, to two beautiful kids!
Okay, now back to the book...
We started thinking that maybe self publishing was the way to go this time. With more ways then ever to self-publish, it was becoming more popular amongst writers. With the online world at your finger tips it wasn’t the faux pas it once was. But after sitting down and really thinking about it, I decided that I would like to go the more traditional route and try to find a small publishing company that would let me keep creative control. After tons of research, phone calls and meetings, we were lucky enough to have ended up with Simply Read Books in Vancouver who completely honoured my vision for O'Shae. I am very proud to be a small part of such an amazing Canadian publishing company. They are known for their "contemporary books with a modern appearance and fresh outlook" You just wait till you hold a copy of O’Shae the Octopus in your hands...it is exactly that!
So long story short, in late October 2012, the ball was officially rolling! The editing of O’Shae began and the rest as they say...is history!