Preparing for the June 15 launch of “The Crimson League: The Fight for Hope” has definitely been a marathon. I feel pretty spent physically, emotionally, and psychologically right now.

And there’s still a week before the stress, joy, tears, and memories of launch day itself.

Now, this is not to complain at all. It’s to recognize (mainly to myself) that I am learning the value and meaning of DISCOMFORT and GRUNT WORK.

Running the blog, promoting on social media, trying to get ads set up, trying to wrangle editorial reviews . . . it has basically been a second job for what feels like forever now, and — here’s the important point — a job with no immediate or even guaranteed payoff.

Yet, there is NO chance of even a moderately successful launch without that groundwork.

It feel thankless and sometimes like a drudgery. In my more melancholic moments, it feels downright pointless.

But I’m putting in the effort. I’m developing discipline, wisdom, and endurance. I’m growing as a human being as a result, whether launch day goes great or is a bust. I’m learning to ignore the voice of discouragement and undue negativity.

I’m one of those people who holds everything in her head all at once–all that needs to be, all that could go wrong–and grows anxious. I’m learning to take one day, one task, one thing at a time and focus on that in the present moment while letting other things go.

That’s real success. That’s honestly worth more than any degree of success I may or may find come launch day. All this is wonderful. I am so blessed.

• Meet Verony TODAY! Find redemption with her and the Crimson League
• She took part in a sorcerer’s coup, then changed her mind.
• COVER REVEAL!!!
• My characters are kind of like my kids
• We are go! With magic of a different kind in this one.