I finished.

In the past hour, I wrapped up my manuscript for Book Three.

It’s pretty surreal.  I stopped typing and wondered if that was actually the end–even though I knew it was.  The voice inside my head was literally saying, “Is that it?  Is it?  Is it, really?  Really?”

This is an awfully subdued way to make this announcement.  Let’s try again.

INTERNET, HEAR YE, HEAR YE.

I FINISHED.

(all caps hurts, let’s not)

And you know what that means?  It’s time to buy another three-inch three-ring binder and maybe a couple more red pens.  I’ve already got a fresh cartridge of ink installed–I like to plan ahead.  Let’s hope it’s enough for this behemoth.

But now I’ll answer the pertinent question I know you’re all screaming at the top of your lungs.  What’s next?

Editing.  That’s the short answer.

The long answer is that I’ll print out this third manuscript and then let it sit and stew for a bit while I go back and do more editing on the first two.  While that’s happening, I’ll resume contact with the artist I am anticipating hiring (I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE DAY I GET TO OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCE HER and show off how ridiculously talented she is).  If all goes well there, I’ll end up with a trio of truly gorgeous covers.  Meanwhile, I have to finalize my book titles.  This pains me.  So much.  But it has to be done.  Eventually I’ll return to book three and begin editing that one as well.

So, where does that leave us?

• Three books edited within an inch of their lives and dragged out the other end all polished and sparkly and perfect
• Three enchanting (ergh) book titles
• Three magnificent book covers

Throw in some boring but necessary self-publishing stuff I’ll have to take care of, and I think you know what comes next.

Book. In. Your. Hand. Or E-Reader.

Are you excited?  I mean, c’mon, you should be jumping out of your seats.  Possibly having a private parade.  Balloons.  Pie.  No noisemakers, please.  But I’ll take a Guinness if anyone is buying.