Welcome to the Riptide Publishing/L. A. Witt blog tour for Something New Under the Sun, the sequel to my vampire/cyberpunk novella, A Chip In His Shoulder!
So as it happens, the release of Something New Under the Sun on January 21st coincided with the 4th anniversary of the first publishing contract I ever received. Four years to the day after selling that first book, I’m releasing my…43rd? 44th? Something like that. And as I did last year – see What Three Years Have Taught Me – I’m looking back on the last few years, this time comparing how my life has changed as a direct result of this awesome job.
I’m definitely working more hours now than I ever have. I’ve pretty much lost track of the days of the week, and my “weekends” happen whenever I feel like I need a break (or want to spend time with the hubby, of course). But I also get to wear my pajamas to work, and my commute is about 20 feet. Can’t argue with that.
I’ve made some amazing friends in this business. Writers, editors, reviewers, and of course, readers. It’s great to be connected with people who are excited about reading and/or writing. It’s kind of funny how I’m geographically separated from every one of my colleagues, but feel better connected to them than I did many (not all, Kelley!) of the co-workers with whom I shared a work environment.
And being a job, it has a paycheck. After being told for years I’d never be able to make a living as a writer, I was rather stunned when my writing income reached a point – and remained there – where I could continue to write full-time upon moving back to the States in late 2011. By mid-2012, the numbers had risen above what I’m qualified to make in the corporate world. (Don’t read too far into that: I’m not qualified to make much in the corporate world LOL) The point being? I discovered it is possible to make a living at this, and I’m much happier with my life in general now that I’m making a living doing what I enjoy.
One of the coolest things, though, is that I finally feel like I’m doing something. Back when I was a customer service drone, I almost wore out my Sugarland CD during my commute to and from the office. Why? Because of a particular track titled “Something More.” I spent many, many commutes listening to that track over and over and thinking, “That’s so true. There has to be more than this.” Cheesy, maybe, but I really was unhappy with what I was doing. Or rather, what I was not doing. Miserable? Ooh, yeah.
Less than five years later, I feel like I’m doing something. Not changing the world or curing cancer, but doing more than just shuffling papers and pushing pencils. I’m happy with my career, and have been since the beginning.
Yeah, this career has its tough moments, but looking back? I wouldn’t change a thing.
The Author:
L. A.’s backlist is available on her website, and updates (as well as random thoughts and the odd snarky comment) can be found on her blog or on Twitter (@GallagherWitt).
Liam Lansing is heir to a prominent family of bio-modified vampires. That is, until he chooses the wrong lover and is cast down to the Gutter to scrape for his life.
Daniel Harding is heir to Cybernetix and a prince of the corporate Sky. That is, until his ideology drives his father to put a price on his head, forcing him into the Gutter.
But Daniel and Liam won’t vanish meekly into the smog. Together, they plan to rip open the hidden corruption that runs the Sky—for vengeance, for justice, and for hope. They strike against the corporations in a daring raid. When everything goes wrong, Daniel must betray his core beliefs to save the man he loves and protect his dangerous secret. Only through courage in the face of death—or worse—might he and Liam change the world they live in and create something new under the sun.
Something New Under the Sun is available January 21st from Riptide Publishing. Also available: the prequel, A Chip In His Shoulder.
