T'was the Night Before Book Launch Day

by Julie Lavender @JLavenderWrites

T'was the night before launch day, when all through her mind

Not a sentence nor fragment, nor words could she find.

To openly share her delight with the world.

As visions of picture books wriggled and swirled.

The children were nestled all snug for the night.

The author awaited the first morning light. 

She’d waited and pondered and dreamed of success.

Of hearing a publisher answer with “Yes!”

She toiled with a pen and a typewriter too.

Read books filled with writing tips fresh and brand new.

Took classes and workshops from pros who knew best.

Then used extra muses to make up the rest.

More rapid than eagles the years came and went.

Computers brought fresh plans that felt heaven-sent.

She pecked and she poked and put words on the page.

And sent them by email ‘cause that was the rage. 

Then what to her wondering eyes should appear.

An offer to publish—a book seems so near!

She spoke not a word but went straight to her work. 

Rewriting and adding and tweaking a quirk. 

A bundle of lawyerly words sealed the deal.

Her plan for a kids’ book was suddenly real.

A Gingerbread House went from thoughts to a dream.

A dream that grew bigger with joy and with gleam.

The artist picked colors and doodled with care,

And talent gave way to more spreads full of flare. 

First dough filled with ginger and spices to smell.

And patterns of building a house that was swell.

The girl and her granddad cut four walls in all.

And topped with a gingerbread roof standing tall. 

They nibbled on smidgens of crumbs for a snack.

While gingerbread pieces cooled off on a rack.

The bakers dabbed icing first here and then there. 

While smells of warm gingerbread wafted the air.

A rainbow of candies bedecked every side. 

With licorice pieces both narrow and wide.

But something was missing; the house wasn’t done. 

A house is so lonely without anyone.

With more dough for cookies, she knew where to start.

She baked up a family to add to the art.

With cheeks just like roses and mouths in a bow

And noses like cherries and eyes white as snow. 

The family looked happy; the house now complete.

Midst chaos and clatter and gingerbread feet.

Her publishing journey was reaching the peak. 

So giddy and happy, she barely could speak.

She anxiously waited for dawn’s light to burst.

Her heart full of wonder, her picture book first.

She sprung to the door with the sound of a horn.

The little old driver so lively but worn.

He whistled and pointed and gave her that look.

She knew in a moment it must be her book.

Her head gave a nod as he drove round the bend.

It seemed like her journey was nearing the end. 

She ripped off the wrapping and gazed with damp eyes.

A new children’s picture book – this is her prize.

A wink of her eye and a twist of her head.

“It’s just the beginning,” the proud author said.

“My dream that took years and hard work and much prayer.

Is now a new kids’ book forever to share.”

She snuggled all cozy, her dream in her hand.

A feeling so warm and delightful and grand.

“It’s launch day, my launch day, she said with such joy.

My dream lives in pictures for each girl and boy!” 

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T'was the Night Before Book Launch Day from @JLavenderWrites on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Julie Lavender’s decades-long dream came true with the publication six weeks ago of her first children’s picture book. A Gingerbread House, published by End Game Press, celebrates family and togetherness, and the author thinks it’s the perfect holiday book for little ones. Julie is also the author of other books, magazine articles, and newspaper columns. Julie can’t wait to share her picture book with her five-year-old grandson and two new grandbabies in the last three months.