Paying It Forward...

"Falling Into Infinity" and "From Now Until Infinity" are available in paperback. I've been struggling with letting you know for a couple of reasons. One, I feel like I'm cheating you by asking you to pay for the same book twice. I wish there was some way to refund the money that you've spent on the digital copy of the book if you purchase the paperback version. So far, I haven't found a way. Second, I feel rather pretentious in assuming that you would even want a signed copy of my book/books. I mean, my kids' school gets my signature for free almost daily. Don't get me started on the local merchants who ask me to sign credit card receipts. I've talked to other authors and bloggers and have found that this is a common sentiment. Although, I will say that I have a signed copy of Stephen King's "The Stand." It's one of my most prized possessions.

Anyway, I woke up in the middle of the night with what I think is a good idea. I hope you agree. For the month of October, I'll be signing copies of each book and donating the money to a breast cancer charity that is near and dear to my heart. So here's how this will work. You can email me at layne@layneharper.com and let me know what paperback book/books that you want to order. Please include a note of what you would like for me to write if it's more than just my signature. I also need the address where you would like the books sent. I'll send you a PayPal invoice for the total. The books retail for $12.99 (I didn't set the price. That's another blog rant). I'll donate all of the profit from every book sold to the organization The Rose http://www.therose.org/. They offer  breast cancer treatment, diagnosis and screening for women regardless of their ability to pay. I apologize, but this price is only for US shipments. If you are international, I'll have to add additional shipping charges.

Also, as a HUGE thank you from the bottom of heart for supporting this great charity and paying for the same book twice, I'll be entering everyone who purchases a paperback copy of the Infinity series in the month of October in a raffle.  I'll pull five names randomly and give the winners a ARC copy of "Finding Infinity." That means that you'll get the third book in the series two weeks before it can be purchased. But, you have to pinkie swear to not post spoilers.

So here's my PSA since you made it to the bottom of this post :-) I have three friends that have been diagnosed with breast cancer in their thirties. No history of breast cancer in their families. Thankfully they're all doing well. I'm honored to call these ladies my friends and their journeys inspire me everyday.

What I've Learned So Far...

I've been a published author for a little over three months now. For some strange reason, I'm feeling compelled to share with you what I've learned so far.

1. Amazon is unpredictable at its best and maddening at its worst.
2. Umm... I really did need a Facebook author page even though I didn't want one.
3. Writing a book is like creating music. Some will like it. Others will not. That's what makes the world so fabulous.
4. Trust my gut. Ultimately, I have to like the story that has my name attached to it.
5. Readers can love my characters just as much as I do. Faults and all. Their imperfections make them real.
6. Read the bad reviews with objectivity. I can learn from the negative.
7. Don't read the good reviews, but be very grateful for them. 
8. Covet the wonderful messages from readers who have been touched by the story enough that they've emailed, messaged, etc. and shared their own similar journeys.  Creating something from my heart that touches others enough that they take their time out of their busy day to let me know is more gratifying than anything else.
9. It's okay to be scared to death. It means that the amount of time taken away from my family means something.
10. Perfection will never be achieved. The story will never be good enough. There will always be one last tweak. Learning to let go and hit "publish" has made me a better person.

I was just going to list ten things, but I came up with an eleventh.

11. Bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people. This journey into the unknown is mine alone, but I'm so happy to share it with you.

Maybe the Summary of "Finding Infinity"

Here is what I think that I'm going to use for the summary of "Finding Infinity." I just think that Colin sums up the book better than I can...

"Fine Charlie.” Colin says dropping his hands in defeat. “Here's what I want. I want everybody to back the fuck off and let me play football. I want you to go back to practicing medicine because I’m ready for you to be happy again - not this forced shit that you keep trying to sell me. I want Brad to get his house finished because I’m tired of listening to his DIY project updates. I want Jenny to decide on a hair color. I want Aiden and Rachael to either figure their shit out or leave each other alone, because Aiden’s chick drama is annoying. I want Mark to quit trying so hard to be my buddy again. I want my parents to get off my back about us living in sin. I want you to please pick a wedding date already. That’s what I want. What am I going to get? None of it because I have to grant another fucking interview to the press to try to patch the gaping wound that is my life with a Band-aid.”

Book Three - Third Try?

I can't name a book to save my life. It's truly a painful process equivalent to getting the flu vaccine and grocery shopping on Sunday mornings before the big football game. So, I decided to ask a couple of my beta readers for suggestions. Here's what I get...

Beta Reader #1: The other titles are so bad that you've really set the bar low. I think you should stick with Third Try.

Okay... So she's no help.

Beta Reader #2: Does it have to have "Infinity" in the title?
Me: Ummm... Yes! That's kind of the point.
Beta Reader #2: To Infinity and Beyond.
Me: Thanks for not helping, but the next time that my kids want to watch that movie, I'll be sure to send you a text each time Buzz Lightyear drops his most notable line.

Then the skies part and angels sing.
Beta Reader #3: How about "Finding Infinity?"
Me: Not bad. Let me sleep on it.

To my husband, "What do you think of Finding Infinity?" He responds with, "It's better than third try."

Sold! The title of book three of the Infinity Series is Finding Infinity.

Infinity Series Playlist

Hey guys! It's been pointed out to me that there are actually people who don't listen to old country. So... I made a play list on Spotify of the songs mentioned in the first two books in the Infinity Series. Unfortunately, I can't figure out how to post the link directly here so you have to get to it via my Facebook page. Here's the link https://www.facebook.com/pages/Layne-Harper-Author/384782861629645. Enjoy!