I got an email from my publisher, announcing the publication date for Boge-Landia, Book 4 in my Winnie and the “Wizard” series. Editor’s Note: Because all the “Winnie” books are stand-alone adventures, the world won’t end if a reader reads the novels out of order.
Putting the year first and calling it an “International Date” confused me. I didn’t know if that meant the date would be read “Year-Day-Month,” or “Year-Month-Day.” Would the book come out on August 6 or June 8? I tried asking Dr. Google and got nowhere. I asked friends and received differing responses. Then it hit me like a forehead slap. Go to my author portal at The Wild Rose Press and see how the publication dates were listed for my other books. The second interpretation was correct. In other words…
I’m pleased to announce that Boge-Landia will be available on June 8, 2026! 🎉
It won’t be long before that date rolls around, so in anticipation, I decided to have my novel reviewed. As it happens, I am a member of a writer’s organization that offers a $50 discount on Kirkus Reviews. Who says no to a discount? Not me.
I eagerly clicked on the discount link, which took me to the Kirkus site. I entered the book’s title and my contact information, then clicked the green “go” button.
Instead of the expected congratulatory notice that my request went through, my form came back looking like this:
I had no clue what should go in those fields because they never appeared in the initial review application. I tried different ways to get the acknowledgement, all to no avail.
So, I emailed both the writer’s organization and Kirkus, asking, “What went wrong here?”
The writer’s association answered first, letting me know I had the wrong membership for the discount. However, for an additional $25, I could upgrade and get it. Hmm. Let’s do some math. For the extra amount, I can claim half the discount. Worth it? Kinda not.
On the plus side, I had no trouble submitting Boge-Landia to another reviewer. The Readers’ Choice.
Not long after I heard I didn’t qualify for the discount, I received a reply from Kirkus with a special link to get $50 off my review. I had to write back that I didn’t qualify for it.
On my next attempt, I logged onto their site without the discount link. When I still saw those pink “missing fields,” I shot off another email to Kirkus. Here’s the rub. I’d successfully had my first three books reviewed on this site. Why couldn’t I send Book 4 into the pipeline?
This time, they suggested I try a different browser. Forehead slap number two.
Here’s the thing: My original browser knows me. It lets me log onto my Kirkus account using my Gmail account. Because of that convenience, I not only don’t know my Kirkus password, I can’t remember my Gmail password either. Naturally, the new browser asked for it.
No probs, that Gmail password is written on the same sheet of paper where I jotted my Zoom password. And I kept that paper on a desk I rarely use. Everybody knows an unused desk can collect flotsam and jetsam. But that’s okay, I kept my Zoom/Gmail paper on that desk buried beneath miscellanea and a flat, unused trash bag. I dashed to the desk, but the paper was NOT there. 😖 Where did it go? Did I have to rip the room apart to search for a rumpled piece of paper?
See? Writing is hard work.
Then I remembered. I’d moved that crucial sheet of paper to a better place. One I’d never forget. Except … I forgot where that was.
Thankfully, I found it. 😊
Long story shortened. I was able to submit Book 4 to Kirkus for a review, and I should receive it around the middle of May.
Next on my to-do list is to see if I can schedule a book talk at the local Barnes & Noble. All I need to do now is find the paper that has their contact information.
Happy writing searching!