Fifty years ago. I watched as the Apollo 11 spacecraft lifted off its launch pad on July 16, 1969. And like most of the people on earth, I watched the lunar module land on the moon a few days later.  Many of us will never forget the names of Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins, the astronauts who flew that mission.

But the incredible achievement of putting a man on the moon extended far beyond the efforts of those three brave men. It took an enormous team effort of 400,000 scientists, engineers, and technicians to accomplish the moon landings.

I’ve thought about the meaning of the term “teamwork” a lot during this past week as we prepared for the “launch” of The Watch on the Fencepost on February 22, 2019. Although I’ve always considered the book the product of my own creativity, now I realize it really is the result of the work of many people who contributed to the story, the publication, and the marketing. I’d like to thank a few of them here.

My husband, Frank, read every version of the manuscript and gave many suggestions of ways to improve the plot and the writing. Other friends and family members read early versions and provided positive feedback and encouragement.

Professional editors Jennifer Pooley, Rachel Hills, and Kathy Ide led me through multiple revisions of the plot and writing. Other professionals in the literary world including Beth Lottig, Mel Hughes, and Barbara Curtis provided their constructive expertise and support.

I had the good fortune to be offered a contract with CrossLink Publishing. Rick Bates, the Managing Editor of CrossLink, gave me the guidance and assistance I needed at every step in the publishing process. David Welday supplied essential marketing know-how.

I requested and received endorsements from authors, editors, ministers, and executives. Their kind words about the book that appear on my website, on the back cover of the book, and on Amazon’s book page, have helped stimulate interest in the novel.

Frank and I have attended writers’ conferences where we’ve met novice writers and experienced authors, all of whom have been generous with their help and advice.

I’ve been invited to write guest articles on several blogs, giving me additional exposure to the reading community. I participated in a Facebook Party recently hosted by Tamera Lynn Kraft which introduced me to new friends who share an interest in good books.

The people in charge of events at several local venues have been hospitable in hosting book signings and talks. These include the Germantown Public Library, Novel Bookstore, Barnes & Noble stores, and the McWherter Senior Center. The Cherryhill Book Club is hosting a book signing and the McWherter Center Writing group has been very supportive in many ways.

Celebrate Lit will conduct a blog tour from March 2 – 15 so the book will be featured by twenty-seven different book reviewers on their blogs which reach thousands of readers.

A lot of folks signed up for my newsletter, and we had fun with a puzzle contest, so now I’m preparing for the next puzzle and looking for more ways to engage this great group.

Friends have bought books, come to book signings, commented on blogs, and helped out in a host of ways that I can never repay. And I’ve found a whole new group of friends in the writing community, where I continue to receive enormous encouragement and valuable information about the craft of writing.

All these people are part of the reason that The Watch on the Fencepost made it to the launch pad. And if you’re reading this blog post, you’re a part of it, too.

Now it’s time to BLAST OFF. So fasten your safety belts and join me in the cockpit. The trip has only just begun!

THANK YOU ALL!