I published my novel "Night's Reign" last weekend.

A dark, literary fantasy novel. It already got some really nice reviews.  :)

https://daankatz.com/books/nights-reign/

Congratulations, Dan.

Gyppo

Thank you.  :)

You've earned it ;-)

That's fantastic, Dan!

Well done, Dan.  Wish it, and you, every success.

Well done, Dan.

Having published something for the first (and last) time recently, I have gained a new respect for anyone who publishes books--and especially those who keep on doing it.

Even as non-self-revelatory as mine is, I feel exposed and vulnerable now that it's out there.

Congratulations Dan, from the bottom of my heart!

Dan, may I use your thread to answer something Indar has raised?

=====

Indar.

Being 'exposed' is one of the prices you pay for success.  You'll feel it more if you're essentially a private soul, which I suspect you are despite sitting in the butter booth on public display every year.  You were in there doing a job, sculpting and no doubt putting your models at ease.  I expect you felt as if you were just part of the background whilst you were working.

Now, having published your story and achieved 'Icon' status, some people will think they have a right to know you.  And to probably ask dumb-arse questions.

I hate to say it but there's bound to be a few people out there who'll hate you for succeeding.

But I'll bet there's a whole lot more folks around in the dairy community who will love you for telling their story as well as yours.

So just smile politely at the idiots when they turn up, and give your real warmth and smile to the Princesses and their families who shared the last forty years with you.  You wouldn't have kept doing it for so many years if they hadn't wanted you there.

Gyppo

As usual Gyppo, your very kind comments are really appreciated--thank you :)

Thank you, all of you.

To Linda: Yes, it is scary, but at the same time also exhilarating. But there's definitely a reason why I use a pseudonym, and why I don't show my face to my readers.

I know, if I ever get well-known or famous (which I doubt), people will figure it out. In fact, my sister is not afraid to tell people her brother is a writer and to show off my book to them, so there's that... But the pseudonym will at least make it a little harder for complete strangers to figure out who I really am.

I won't stop publishing. In fact, I can't stop. This book is the first in a series of at least three, but maybe more. And I've got another stand-alone work already undergoing the scrutiny of my beta-team. I intend to publish that one (Death and the Maiden) in the second half of this year.

And to be honest, I like it. Part of the fun of writing is in having others reading your work. It gives a sense of accomplishment. And because it's fiction people will never be able to tell how much of it is based on my own experiences - not even my own family.  :)

To Gyppo: No problem at all. :)

So, I finally have the paperback up for sale on Amazon as well. And I just received my first author copy in the mail today.
Here's some pictures.

Gyppo and Jo might want to enlarge them...  :)

Cheers, Dan.

How very kind!  You are most welcome, Dan.

Incidentally, that looks a really classy publishing job.  Congratulations again.

Thank you, Gyppo and Jo. And you both truly deserved that mention.  :)

(Also, I might have lost some hair working on the layout of that paperback. :D )