By Rose Dee
My husband has been prompting me to self-publish for years. He talked up the Indie publishing route upon the completion of my last two manuscripts. I had no aversion to self-publishing, but I never felt the time was right—until now. This week I published my first Indie novel, and I must admit to feeling at home in the Indie world.
The Kindle version of my latest release, Ehvah After, has just been added to Amazon. It’s an achievement steeped with toil, perseverance, humility, and gratefulness. I know it would have been an even greater challenge had it not been for the help I have received. From the stolen moments away from my business and family writing this story over the past year, to the hours my editor, proofreaders, and professionals spent on it, I see this Indie published novel as my work, but the end product as a collective effort of the sharing of gifts.
Yes, I did pay the professionals (worth every cent, too), but help came in so many forms. For someone like me, who has trouble asking for help, it was a humbling process. As a consequence, I consider this novel my best yet.
I am certain I gave my editor head-shaking moments, but she persevered, both with the work, and with me. The eagle-eyed pick-ups of my proofreaders have amazed me. Their donation of time was a real gift of love. Then there were the constant ‘how to’ questions about self-publishing. I bothered so many with those for months, but everyone answered me with grace, pointing me in the right direction, and connecting me with my next publishing port of call.
So, with all this gratitude in mind, instead of detailing my story, below I have re-published my Acknowledgements page. It’s at the front of the novel, because the rest of Ehvah After would have been a whole lot harder without the help, support and professionalism of those mentioned on this first stop.
Acknowledgements
My name may be on the front cover, but many people helped me along the way.
Thank you to:
My wonderful husband, Terry, and the best son a mother could ever have, Tully. My simply stupendous editor, Iola Goulton—I’d be lost without you; my talented friends and co-authors, Paula Vince and Amanda Deed, and best proofer in the world, Michelle Evans. Thank you to all my readers: My mum—Mary Venables; my sister—Leonie Turner; Georgina Elford, and Mary Preece. A grateful thanks to Rik Hall for his expert formatting skills, advice, and help. Thank you to Rosanna White for sharing her amazing talent and producing an outstanding cover.
Above all, my humble and grateful thanks to my Heavenly Father for giving me all I need to work this writing ministry.
Now the story info, because this is a Rose Dee novel you won’t want to miss reading.
EHVAH AFTER
Ehvah Rowe’s life is in freefall. Her teen queen status is long forgotten, and with a childhood of tragic loss, no family save a diabolical aunt, and no career prospects, her L.A. celebrity world holds no future.
It will take a murder, an escape to the Australian tropics, and the friendship of an Aussie bodyguard, for her to discover healing, faith, and a way forward.
David Blake knows how to be a soldier. His army training equipped him to fight and protect. But when it comes to helping a fear-filled celebrity navigate the same post-traumatic stress symptoms he has suffered, David discovers the challenge in forsaking his own strength for God’s plan.
Rose Dee weaves a story of mystery, drama and romance, in her trademark tropical North Queensland Australian style.
I hope you enjoy Ehvah After. It has been a labour of love for me to bring it to you, and a joyous gift of help from my friends.
Website:
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rose-Dee-Author/172886062810998
Rose, who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree, was born in North Queensland, Australia. Her childhood experiences growing up in a small beach community would later provide inspiration for her first novel, Back to Resolution.
Her novels are inspired by the love of her coastal home and desire to produce exciting and contemporary stories of faith for women.
Beyond Resolution and A New Resolution are the second and third books in the Resolution series.
Rose’s debut novel Back to Resolution won the Bookseller’s Choice award at the 2012 CALEB Awards, while A New Resolution won the 2013 CALEB Prize for Fiction.
She has also released The Greenfield Legacy, a collaborative novel, written in conjunction with three other outstanding Australian authors.
Rose resides in Mackay, North Queensland with her husband, young son, and mischievous pup, Noodle.
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Narelle here. Rose, thanks for visiting Inspy Romance and sharing your latest release with our readers. Rose is giving away a Kindle copy of Ehvah After to a reader who leaves a comment on this post by Friday, September 18. The winner will be announced in the Sunday Edition on September 20.
“Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.”
Rose Dee, your book sounds amazing, as well as sweet. Being the wife of an Army veteran who suffers PTSD, I am always interested in how authors handle it in their writing. Congrats and best wishes for much success in your foray into indie publishing. Also, thank you for tackling the issue of PTSD and helping to bring even more awareness.
Congratulations on your indie journey.
Your book sounds like a winner.Linda Rainey
Hi Rose – Loved your Resolution series – looking forward to reading Ehvah After. All the best with your launch into the world of indie publishing.
I’ve really enjoyed your other books, Rose, and this one is definitely on my list of “want to read!” Thank you for sharing the publishing of this and sincere congratulations.
Hi Terrill,
The one thing I discovered about PTSD was that symptoms are different for each individual, and so is treatment. I hope that I have carried that through in this story.
I hope you get to read Ehvah After. I’d love some feedback.
You must be very proud of your husband’s service. It’s a great gift. And yes, the more attention we bring to PTSD, the more aware we all become. My heart breaks when I think of the generations before us that suffered without understanding.
Thank you for taking the time to comment.
xo Rose.
Hi Linda,
Thank you. I certainly hope so. :-)
xo Rose.
Hi Jeanette,
Thank you. It’s a little scary, and a bit leaning curve, but I’m up for the challenge. :-)
xo Rose.
Thank you so much, Mary.
I’m still learning so much about this new ‘Indie’ world.
xo Rose.
Rose, I look forward to checking out your books! Thanks for sharing your story
Welcome to Inspy Romance, Rose! Your book sounds like a very interesting premise. Isn’t indie publishing fun? I love it.
Your books are awesome!! I have loved them all. Just now reading this one. Look forward to all you write. Your books have wonderful characters and you hate for that last page to appear because it just needs to keep going on.
Blessings
Diana
Hi Rose,
It’s nice to come across new authors. I love forward to reading your work and hope you experience God’s great blessings.
Marylin
Your book sounds awesome
Rose…your book sounds like something that would really interest me. My husband is a disabled Viet Nam veteran who has suffered from PTSD for many many years.
Great to have you join us here, Rose! Ehvah After sounds an amazing story :) Have fun being indie!
Looking forward to reading the book!
Congrats Rose on your newest book! You are, of course, a new author for me but I do love meeting new writers. Especially Indie ones….I’ve read a few books of other “indies” & have very much enjoyed them. I bet you’d get a little more freedom in some areas :-)
Your book sounds really good, I love when an author acknowledges other people who have helped them along the road to success. There’s a lot of time invested & to have a great team to work with would be such a blessing! I’m sure there’s a lot of behind the scenes stuff going on before you can release your book! I hope your future endeavors will be just as fun and adventurous & that you would always follow the path the Lord has for you in your writing :-) After all, He’s the greatest author there is!!
P.S. Off subject….you look so much like 2 of my aunts it’s uncanny!! That’s a good thing ;-)
I would love to read this one! Congratulations!
Congrats on your newest book. I will have to give this book a try. Will it be available as a regular print book? cr8ted4him@frontier.com
Hi Terrill, I agree, it’s great to see stories that include characters with PTSD. Good luck in the drawing!
Hi Linda, I hope you’ll have the opportunity to read Rose’s book. Good luck in the drawing!
Hi Jeanette, I enjoyed Rose’s Resolution series, too. Good luck in the drawing!
Hi Mary, Thanks for stopping by and good luck in the drawing!
Hi Linda, I hope you’ll have the opportunity to read Rose’s book. Good luck in the drawing!
Hi Beth, I hope you’ll have a chance to read Rose’s books. Good luck in the drawing!
Hi Val, I have Rose’s book in Kindle tbr list, and I can’t wait to read it! :)
Hi Diana, I know that bereft feeling, when you’re finishing a book you love and feel sad because the story is ending. Thanks for stopping by :)
Hi Marylin, I hope you’ll have a chance to read Rose’s books. Good luck in the drawing!
Hi Joann, Thanks for stopping by and good luck in the drawing!
Hi Nancy, I hope you’ll have the opportunity to read Ehvah After and be encouraged and inspired by the story. Good luck in the drawing!
Hi Autumn, I agree, indie publishing is fun :)
Hi Katy, I hope you’ll enjoy reading Ehvah After. Good luck in the drawing!
Hi Trixi, I love how Rose included her book acknowledgements in her post. There’s a team behind every book, no matter which publishing model is used to bring the book to market. Good luck in the drawing!
Hi D, I hope you’ll have a chance to read Rose’s book. Good luck in the drawing!
Hi Andrea, I hope you enjoy reading Ehvah After. I’m pretty sure Rose has plans to make the book available in print, and she can share the details with you. Good luck in the drawing!
Okay, now I’ve found my missing comment, lol. My apologies for duplicating the above comment.
Thanks Narelle :)
And Rose :)
Hi Beth,
Thank you for stopping by and reading about my new release.
xo Rose.
Hi Valerie.
It certainly has been a learning curve. I’m still working on it too.
Thank you for stopping by and making me feel so welcome.
xo Rose.
Hi, my beautiful friend. I hope you are enjoying Ehvah After. Thank you for supporting me and reading my work. It the greatest compliment in the world to hear a reader say they didn’t want your book to end.
Love and thanks to you.
xo Rose.
Hi Marylin,
Thank you for stopping by and giving my work some consideration.
Blessings to you.
xo Rose.
Hi Joann,
I hope that each reader finds some awesome moments in this story. That would be very cool.
Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment.
xo Rose.
Hi Nancy,
I hope you get to read Ehvah After, because I would love to hear your thoughts. PTSD isn’t an easy subject to broach because symptoms and treatment is a very individual thing. But any attention that can be drawn to PTSD leads to a greater understanding.
Thank you for stopping by, and I pray for a great many blessings for you and your family.
Hi Autumn,
Thank you. Learning all the time. :-)
xx Rose.
Hi Katy,
Thank you. I hope you enjoy it. It has been a big learning curve. :-)
xx Rose.
Hi Trixi,
Thank you. I have a three book series (The Resolution Series) that has been traditionally published, but this is my first Indie book. I have really enjoyed the freedom and the creativity that has come with the challenge.
There is so much that happens behind the scenes, but it’s that much easier when you have a great support team. I’ve been so blessed, and very grateful to those who have helped me along the way.
The Lord certainly is the greatest author, and He has the greatest plan for my work. I want to always be working in His plan.
Thank you for stopping by, and for commenting. It’s lovely to meet you – over the internet anyway. :-)
xo Rose.
PS; That likeness is bizarre. You’ll have to show my photo to your aunties and see what they think. This is a very recent photo of me too! :-)
Hi D,
Thank you. I hope you get to read Ehvah After.
xx Rose.
Hi Andrea,
I’m working on the hard copy release today. Soon, I hope. Will certainly keep you posted.
Blessings
Rose. xo
Congratulations! I agree that a professional editor is a worthy investment.
Hi Sara, Thanks for stopping by and good luck in the drawing!
Hi Sara,
I’m so blessed to have a wonderful editor. Yes – worth every cent.
xo Rose.
I just discovered this blog. I read all the time. My husband is always saying we need to give away some books. I appreciate all the hard work that goes into publishing a book. I am constantly looking for new inspirational romance authors.
Thank you all for all your hard work!
I just saw that I won the e-book. Thank you, both, so much.
Terrill, you’re very welcome :)
Hi Diane, Thanks for stopping by and we’re glad you’ve discovered our Inspy Romance blog :)