It Happened
Raver Girl published on October 12. It happened: I gave birth to my book baby. It was thrilling, nerve-wracking, joyful, releasing, unbelievable—it was the most intense natural high I’ve had since actually giving birth to a human baby. I was all abuzz on launch week and had one day where I did back-to-back radio and podcast interviews—the most people I’ve spoken with in years. An interview with my new raver friend Liam of podcast East Bay Yesterday dropped, and I received more cards and flowers than when my human son was born. It felt like a dream, and it was a dream come true.
But as my publisher, She Writes Press suggests, it’s time to stop looking at my book as a baby and start treating it like a product.
It’s been a couple of months since, and I’ve gotten more press hits and podcast interviews, which is all awesome and fun. But the most touching has been hearing feedback from my family and friends after reading my story.
I was nervous, knowing everyone would know way more than they ever expected to know about me. I was also worried that my writing wasn’t on author-level. When you work on something for so long, you start to wonder if it’s really any good or just a mission that needs to be accomplished.
But when accolades started coming in from people I didn’t know, people who also used to or still rave, thanking me for writing my story and transporting them back to a magical time, my heart overflowed. Then I read positive reviews from people who’ve never been to a rave enjoying my story too.
Exhale.
Eryn Harrison, owner of Calm, A Salon, and friend + me in the furry jacket (and JNCOs!)
And my mom. She read it quickly, a redacted version where I stapled the Blow Me chapter together so she couldn’t read it. When I saw her after she finished reading, she gave me the strongest, longest hug, so grateful I survived my adventures through rave. Also, so proud.
As an indie author, I had to hire my publicity team. In-store author events are a hard sell for NorCal bookstores for first-time authors, especially when news of the Delta strain was building. So, in the spirit of rave, I decided to go DIY and ask a friend of mine who owns a hair salon in Oakland if she would be comfortable throwing a micro book launch event for me.
Eryn has known me and my mom since forever. She was the one who created my trademark bleach-blonde skunk stripes I rocked sophomore year of high school—the hairstyle mentioned in my book. Through her mask, her green eyes sparkling, she replied, “Whatever you want. I’m so proud of you.” Eryn is like the older sister I never had who would play with my hair and give me sage advice. She said she had a friend who would be happy to DJ the party, a guy who also raved back in the day. Turns out, that friend used to be a part of The Gathering crew who threw parties in the Bay Area. Small rave world.
So I had my space and my DJ. The rest was friends old and new, books, Blow Pops, JNCOs, and bubbles. Liam from East Bay Yesterday was my co-host and fielded some questions. He surprised everyone with a question for my dad about his daughter and drugs, which he answered with humor and wisdom.
RG’s book launch party at Calm, A Salon in Oakland
I’ve been enjoying the post-launch excitement, but the creative soul inside me begs the question: Now what? Another book? A new endeavor? An ayahuasca journey? For the next six months, I will be promoting Raver Girl—that’s what my publisher urges me to do. And that’s what I want to do, but instead of “promoting,” it’s more like celebrating. That’s what raves were all about: celebrating freedom, expression, creativity. At least for me they were. And for hundreds of thousands of fellow ravers.
Authentic ways of keeping the vibe alive. That’s how you’ll see Raver Girl show up in 2022. Happy holidays and new year, party people. Thank you for your love, support, and buying my book!
PLUR,
Ms. Red
P.S. If you *love* my story, please leave me a review on Amazon or Goodreads. We indie authors need all the extra love we can get.
