Time to Celebrate! I'm Independently Published! Pre-orders Live on Amazon!

[Elizabeth Rose]

Last night my book went Live for Pre-oder! It seems surreal.
I've been working on it for so long (over three years). And now its done! And it's out in the world! I think this is kinda what it must feel like to send a kid off to college. Is Empty Book Nester a thing?

I want to thank everyone on here who helped with this story. Truly this story would not be alive without this community of amazing people. And from all the inspiration and tips gleaned from 3 Point Perspective Podcast with Will, Jake and Lee. Thank you!

And if it wasn't for the monthly prompts, I would not have even created the drawing that started the whole book journey.
Link below to the drawing that started it all:
https://forum.svslearn.com/topic/7343/the-moment-before-my-mom-left-wip

Creating this book has been the source of so much healing to my heart.

For those of you who don't know, this book is a story about my childhood and the loss of my mom and figuring out how to live life after a tragedy.

My goal is to get this book to as many bereaved kids as possible who have gone through loss like I did.

I'm setting up a book showcase in June at The National Alliance for Children's Grief conference in Florida! I'm excited to make some connections!

50% of the sales profit from this book is used to purchase Here I’m Happy books to give away.
The other 50% is used in funding art retreats in Kentucky, which are designed for individuals who have suffered through grief and trauma.

Again, many thanks to you all amazing, outstanding creative people! You helped a big dream come true!

[Melissa_Bailey]

@Elizabeth-Rose congratulations!!! The illustrations are beautiful.

Where can we go to preorder the book?

[PenAndrew]

@Elizabeth-Rose Congratulations Elizabeth. Your book looks great.

[Julia Hegetusch]

@Elizabeth-Rose wow! Looks amazing

[Mike Marttila]

Congratulations! Looks wonderful!

[demotlj]

I have watched you develop this from the very first illustration and love seeing this final product. It's beautiful, and its especially great that you are working to get it into the hands of people who need it. Congratulations and best of luck with the distribution.

[Robert Henderson]

@Elizabeth-Rose

It looks beautiful. Congratulations and way to hang in there and get it done.

[Elizabeth Rose]

@Melissa_Bailey Thanks Melissa! Yes! Here is the link to the pre-order on Amazon below. I know other book retailers will start carrying it online too, but it takes several days for it all to show up. It's currently available as paperback on Barns and Nobels website!!!

https://www.amazon.com/Here-Happy-Elizabeth-Rose-Hoffman/dp/1958334006/ref=zg_bs_3125_27/134-8947096-2359400?pd_rd_i=1958334006&psc=1

[Melissa_Bailey]

@Elizabeth-Rose thanks for the link! Super duper handy. Beats having to search for you on Amazon. Thanks! Gonna put my preorder in now!

[Elizabeth Rose]

Thanks @PenAndrew!

@Moana-Maureen Thank you!

Thank you @Mike Marttila

Yes! @demotlj! I remember you at the beginning! And thank you for all the encouragement! And yes! I'll need lots of luck with the distribution! I'm new to going "Wide."

[Elizabeth Rose]

@Melissa_Bailey Oh boy!!! I can't wait for you to receive your copy!
I'm also going to have book plates I'm signing available if you would like one. Currently, I'm only having book signings in Kentucky and Tennessee.

I picked a really special Publishing date for it. It's on my mom's birthday! August 5th!

[Elizabeth Rose]

Ya'll!!!!!!
I hit #1 in my category for New Releases on Amazon yesterday!!!! I'm so blown away!!! It's becoming more and more surreal!

[Melissa_Bailey]

@Elizabeth-Rose can't wait til August to get my copy! And yes, I'd love a bookplate.

And ... CONGRATULATIONS! Number 1 in your category is a huge deal. You're doing great at marketing! It's the hardest thing to do in self-publishing and you're crushing it.

[PenAndrew]

@Elizabeth-Rose Congratulations- your hard work has paid off.

[ArtMelC]

Such a beautiful book, congrats!

[PenAndrew]

@Elizabeth-Rose You know the first time I read this I was so pleased for you that I missed the fact that you said you are helping people with grief and trauma, when I read that I really felt quite moved especially as one of my friends just recently lost her mum, and so, I wish you great success.
I think it is amazing to see how you are using art to affect change in the world in such a positive way, and it is wonderful to witness such an act of selflessness. You are quite an inspiration. Thank you for giving this gift to the world. It is a beautiful thing.

[Elizabeth Rose]

@Melissa-Candrasaputra Thank you Melissa!

[Elizabeth Rose]

@Melissa_Bailey Yes! I’ll private message you about the book plate. And thanks! I’ve been so undone with this book’s pre-order launch. I could not have made it to this point without, my family, friends and community. I appreciate you encouraging me for crushing the “marketing” too. It really is challenging. This is the first time I’ve ever properly launched and marketed a book before. Its all so new, but the cool thing is, the more I learn about marketing the less scary it is.

I checked out your website too! Wow, I love your work! So playful and touching!

[davidhohn]

@Elizabeth-Rose This book looks beautiful! Congratulations!

[Elizabeth Rose]

@PenAndrew Oh my goodness! Your last comment bright tears to my eyes. Such kind words. Thank you Andrew

I’m sorry to hear about your friend’s mum. My heart goes out to them.

Its crazy, because of this book, I’ve come to realize how powerful and healing creativity is.
About mid-way through this book project, as I realized the impact the project was having on my heart, I started to dream about creating a large studio space and building cabins on my family’s farm. And open it up as a retreat center for people with hurting hearts to come and retreat away for a couple days and create in the studio with others together. I’ve always loved many mediums of creating art and I’m planning to have in the studio a woodshop, metal/blacksmithshop, printmaking, ceramics/potter, painting, sewing, leather-making and more! I’ve already been able to purchase some equipment and have had some tools and supplies donated already!
My dad has jumped on board with this dream this past year too! We are excited to see this new dream come to life!