A Year of Nookie

Alright grrrls, we are lucky to have Robyn Bradley here on Meta Modo to talk about "A Year of Nookie!"

A Year of Nookie: Reflections on My Dive into the Digital Revolution by Robyn Bradly

Barnes and Noble NOOK eBook Reader (WiFi only) [ Black & White ]

It was a year ago that I became a Nookie (that's shorthand for "I bought a Nook" -- get your mind out of the gutter) and ventured to the "dark side" (i.e. I decided to get off the query-go-round and self-publish).

Here's a look back at some of the highs, lows, and surprises along the way. And because I believe reflections require a certain amount of distance, I'm writing the recap below in a third-person, diary-entry format. Besides, it's much easier to make fun of myself in third person. (Don't judge.)

July 2010: Re-reads Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird, a book for writers, and finally understands what Lamott means about validation needing to come from within. Researches this self-publishing thingy and decides to give it a go. Buys a Nook. Watch out world, she's serious! Loves her Nook but discovers it freezes up (and no, this isn't a euphemism for her love life). Could it be the universe's way of saying "slow down?" She ignores message.

August 2010: Privately plans world domination through Amazon's Kindle Publishing Platform and believes she will single-handedly resurrect the short story format by releasing one short story per month for the next 12 months. She has five short stories ready to go and knows writing another, oh, seven is completely doable (ahem). Finishes first novel -- The Help by Kathryn Stockett -- on Nook and is in love, despite said freeze-ups.

September 2010: Finalizes new author website, launches Facebook page, ups her Twitter ante, has a nervous breakdown, and figures out how to "fix" what's been dogging her with her novel for almost a decade. Nook reading -- nonfiction: Columbine by Dave Cullen and Game Change by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin.

October 2010: Releases her first short story, "Support Our Troops," and waits for call from 60 Minutes or something. Hears about some guy named Joe Konrath. Finds his blog. Converts and worships at his altar. Soon realizes many other people -- Amanda Hocking, Karen McQuestion, Victorine Lieske -- are the true self-publishing pioneers. Picks herself up, dusts herself off, and starts all over again. Becomes true student and reads and joins everything remotely related to self-publishing. Nook reading: Room by Emma Donoghue.

November 2010: Releases second short story, "Orange Pineapple." Facebook fan page grows and a person she doesn't know -- a true fan! -- writes on her wall and says how much she loved "Support Our Troops." Glows for days. Finishes edits on Forgotten April and decides to forgo the short-story-a-month approach. Plans release of Forgotten April for the end of April 2011. Nook reading: Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary by David Sedaris.

December 2010: Releases third short story, flash fiction called "The Object." Family and friends begin to realize that she's "serious" about this crazy venture. Family avoids topic during holiday season. Fa la, la, la, la. Reads paperback and feels guilty for cheating on Nook: Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout. Christmas gift: Nook is fixed -- no more freezing up.

January 2011: In awe of Amanda Hocking's numbers. In awe of Joe Konrath's numbers. Releases "A Touch of Charlotte." Spends much of January indoors, thanks to blizzards that bombard the Northeast. Learns how to use Animoto software to make really cool book trailers. Spends way too much time playing with this and doesn't shower for days. Nook reading: A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick.

February 2011: Book review blogger "Big Al" gives "A Touch of Charlotte" five stars. Glows some more. Starts reviewing work-in-progress, a draft she completed the previous year and the complete novel based on "Support Our Troops." Commits to having this thing done for her writers' group in June. Cat demands she showers more often. Nook reading: Switched by Amanda Hocking.

March 2011: Receives first royalty check from Amazon and B&N. Can buy…gas! Maybe! Releases final short story, "Crush." In awe of Barry Eisler's decision to walk away from a half million dollar book deal with Saint Martin's press. In awe of Amanda Hocking's two million dollar book deal with Saint Martin's press. Gulps and anxiously awaits release of her own novel. Nook reading: Not What She Seems by Victorine Lieske.

April 2011: Eats too much chocolate. Drinks too much wine. But showers regularly so the cat is happy. Writing mentor dies on Easter Sunday. Releases Forgotten April on Thursday, April 28. Nook reading: Nailed by Joseph Flynn.

May 2011: Thanks her lucky stars that she did NOT release the novel on her back-up date of Sunday evening, May 1, since Osama Bin Laden eclipses all other news. Receives early reviews on Forgotten April (they're good). Cheats on Nook (again) and reads paperback: How to Be Lost by Amanda Eyre Ward.

June 2011: Releases paperback version of Forgotten April. Commits major typo in public. Discovers George Clooney is back on the market. Dreams about writing from George's villa in Tuscany while anxiously awaiting feedback from writers' group on second novel. Forgotten April averaging between four and five stars on Amazon and B&N. Nook reading: A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan.

July 2011: Revises second novel (coming out in October). Still daydreams about George. Reads paperback (Secrets of Eden by Chris Bohjalian) but falls asleep with her Nook. Goes on a virtual book tour and ends up here. Is excited about what's next.

Thank you so much, Jocelyn, for having me. It's been fun. :)

Thank you, Robyn, for allowing us sneak peek into your writing and reading world.

Robyn Bradley Bio and Links

Robyn Bradley is a Short Story Seductress and Novelist Ninja with an MFA in Creative Writing from Lesley University. Her work has appeared in FictionWeekly.com, Metal Scratches, The Breakwater Review, Writer's Digest, and The MetroWest Daily News, among other places. In 2007, she won a short story award for “A Touch of Charlotte.” Forgotten April is her first novel and is available on Kindle, Nook, iPad, and in paperback. When she's not writing or sleeping, Robyn enjoys watching Law & Order marathons, drinking margaritas, and determining how many degrees really separate her from George Clooney. Learn more at www.robynbradley.com.

Purchase Links for Forgotten April: