Launching a series is like growing a crop.

Today I'm feeling a lot of empathy for the apple grower and cidermaker in BITTERSWEET (True North #1) which launches in just ten days. I follow some farmers on Twitter (big surprise, I know!) and one of them recently said: "I always wonder--will this be the year that nothing comes up?"

For some reason I didn't imagine farmers would feel that way. I don't know why I imagined my own anxieties were unique to me. But why should I be special, right? :-)

Bringing a new series out is a nerve wracking experience. I've spent the last week drinking too much coffee and asking myself: there's no hockey in it. What was I thinking?

In my saner moments I realize that innovation is always scary! And risks can only pay off with a major investment of my time and energy. I'm just like the farmer sweating out there, hoping it isn't all for nothing. 

And just in case I was tempted to forget the lesson, a whole bunch of tentative plants and fruits are cropping up on my own property. See those tiny apples? They look adorable and optimistic today. But it will take months of sunshine and rain until they're good to eat. And many things could go wrong. But they're out of my control, so there's really no point in sitting up nights worrying about it.

The best use of my time right now isn't worrying. It's writing another book! So pass the coffee and I'll see you in the orchard on June 14th!

You can read more about BITTERSWEET here.

I'd like to introduce you to Griff, Jude and Zach. They can't wait to meet you.

If I'm lucky I'll be picking blueberries soon in the front yard.

These apples are just a little larger than my thumbnail.