Today I realized it is officially one week until Golden releases.

Ordinarily I would have known this, been planning for this, been working toward this.

But one week ago my world changed as I said goodbye to my grandmother, who, as my sister perfectly put it, was like our second mother.

I’m writing this now to keep record of everything I feel on this day, one week out from my debut release.

I thought I would feel prepared and secure; instead, I feel lost.

I had planned for this and I would have been ready, had I not gone dark for an entire week to take care of my family. Now I’m not sure what to do. I feel like I need to double my efforts, but I know that would be overwhelm on my platforms. Now I’m struggling to look for strategy all while skipping a big chunk of what I had planned.

Despite the terror of not being in alignment with my plan and worrying about how it will affect my launch, I’m feeling good. I am proud of my book, I’ve had so many beautiful things said about Auluria and Dov’s story, and people are actively excited out in social media world.

Golden is about choices.

My dedication reads:

To those who make the right choices despite what has happened to them. You can’t control what has happened to you, but you do control how you respond to it. Well done for not turning your circumstances into excuses, but instead, choosing to make the best out of it.

Yes, the things that happened were out of my control, no there is nothing I can do to change it. My grandmother died, my family mourned, my work stopped for an entire week. Now I’m back. I can not control the circumstances, but I can control my reaction to them.

So now, one week out from my release, I reflect.

Everything will work out. I’m going to do the best I can, even with what just happened. I’m going to get through this, I’m going to have a great launch, I’m going to enjoy this moment.

My grandmother was so proud and excited for my book. She was able to see it before she left us. And now I move forward, making her proud.

Here’s to an amazing launch! One week and counting…

Stay inspired,

-K.M.