In April 2014, my first book, Drägan Duma – Zij Die Hoort, was published by Celtica Publishing in the Netherlands and Belgium and I could call myself a published author for the first time. And fortunately I still am, 10 years later! A lot has happened in those 10 years.
I:
- am on my third laptop.
- have signed books at more than 30 events.
- daydreamed new stories for hours on end.
- have written six more books and a collection of short stories.
- was nominated for a Hebban Award and finished third.
- had the opportunity to meet many dear readers and signed hundreds of books.
- started delving into digital illustrations and designed four book covers.
- took the plunge and had the English version of An Unbreakable Band translated and then self-published it.
- thought that being an author consisted only of writing. I have now come back from that.
- have learned a lot and I’m not done writing yet!
Ten years seems like a long time, but it really has flown by. I am still so very happy that Danny convinced me to look for a publishing house, because I really feel that I have found my dream job!
2014 became a year of many “first times”: My debut book, a book presentation, the first time that I was allowed to attend a fantasy event as a writer, signing books, waiting in fear for the first reviews, winning an award, taking pictures with readers…
I loved it, it was terrifying and most of the things I never saw coming…
If there is something I never thought about before Zij Die Hoort was published, it is how much time and effort goes into promoting a book. Of course the publisher will help you with this, but you will also have to put yourself on the map as a writer. When your debut book comes out, no one has heard of you yet. (besides family and friends of course 😉 )
So I really had to get to work! A website, social media pages and promotional materials had to be created. Moreover, I really enjoy giving a small gift with a book when it comes out. For example, a key ring, a magnet or a necklace.
Of course, you also have to maintain the website and socials. I have become so used to this that it has really become part of my daily life. It’s a really fun way to keep in touch with readers and easy to share information.
The first few times I signed books I turned red as soon as someone talked to me. Although I’m not really shy, I’m also not someone who naturally feels at home being the center of attention. I really had to get used to that! Especially because I have a mild anxiety disorder due to PTSD. After ten years you would think that I would have gotten used to that, but I still find it scary.
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In the past 10 years I have also completed a trilogy for the first time. Jill and Skylar’s adventure came to an end with The Black Crystal and I was extremely nervous when that book came out. A trilogy is only as good as the last book. If readers don’t like that, the rest is immediately worth less. But luckily the book was well received!
Still, it turned out that I wasn’t quite done with Drägan Duma, even though I already had a large part of Pure White in my head. I debated for a while which book I should write first and ultimately chose An Unbreakable Band. After writing The Black Crystal, I was still so comfortable in the world of Drägan Duma that I wrote An Unbreakable Band and The Forgotten Stories after it. After that, an era of sorts came to an end.
With Terras Altas I wanted to create something completely new and I certainly succeeded! I have studied Steampunk and the workings of steam engines. Another first time: I never had to do any research for Drägan Duma. I have to do that for Terras Altas and I enjoy doing it too!
I was also super nervous when Puur Wit was released. It was completely different from Drägan Duma and although I didn’t want to be a “1 trick pony”, the fear was there.
I can now say that this pony can do at least 2 tricks, because Terras Altas also gets such wonderful reviews that it sometimes makes me shy.
I am now working on writing the last part in the Terras Altas series, although it is still a bit slow. The past three years have been very difficult privately, especially because I lost my parents. Both were very proud and loved that I was an author. It’s hard to accept that they will never read anything I write next.
Furthermore, I have been very ill and am still recovering.
This awesome adventure of mine is still going on and I have to be honest, a big part of it I owe to you guys. My friends and followers on WordPress. Because before I started blogging here, I had never shared my writing. But in this little corner on the internet, I hesitantly posted some poems. And I met some great people! Their love and support have really given me the courage to be an author.
So, thank you, from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much.
All in all, the past decade was amazing and I can’t wait for the next. Keep an eye on my Socials for the next four weeks because 10 years of being an author should, of course, be celebrated!
Love,
Patty
http://www.pattyvandelft.com
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