Getting that first book in hardcopy

After doing all the edits, performing the proofs, having others go through your work to make sure you haven't missed anything obvious, then going through the whole process of publication, it's a fantastic feeling to finally have the finished book in your hand.  I am a firm believer in having a physical book, though I do appreciate the convenience of digital copies.  But there's nothing quite like seeing your name on something you've worked so hard at, and actually holding the finished results in your hand.  It's one thing to see your work as available on a website (exciting definitely), but for me, something else again to be able to point to it on my bookshelf, to pick it up and flip through the pages, to feel the weight in my hands.

I just hope others will feel a similar enjoyment when they read my work.  It's all about sharing, inviting others into the worlds I've created, introducing them to the characters and societies of those worlds.  If you can lose yourself in my stories, even for just a moment, then I've done my job well.