“Shooting out to 200 yards, 500 yards, even 800 or 1,000 yards, the impact of the Coriolis effect is so negligible that you can get away with ignoring it. Once you’re shooting out to some serious distances, though, it can move your bullet’s trajectory by as much as several inches, enough to cause you to completely miss your target.” These words completely inspired my quote about Dani altering Nash’s world.
Inspiration comes to me from music, but it also comes from quotes and real-life experiences of others. I’m so grateful to the people who have helped me shape this book―and the words inside it―to be exactly what I wanted it to be. I’m honored to have learned from all of them.
I’m so very grateful for every single person who has helped me on this book journey. If you’re reading these words, you ARE one of those people. Even if all you did was read my words, it’s important to me. I’m grateful to you for reading the stories that I can’t help but write. THANK YOU!
My daughter and my husband have continued to not only listen for hours and hours about my stories and characters and this complicated book world, but have encouraged me—multiple times—to not give up. Thank you for our life together and the love you give me.
My sister and my parents have always been my biggest defenders and fans. Thank you for celebrating with me and lifting me up when things get tough.
I don’t know what I’d do without the people who I am lucky enough to have as part of my publishing team. Megan Keith at Designed with Grace, you are much more than my cover designer, you are a true friend and partner. Jenn at Jenn Lockwood Editing Services, I will forever be grateful that you read Country Album and then reached out to me in order to make it all it should be. Karen Hdrlicka, thank you for ensuring the final versions of my books are beautiful. To the entire group of beautiful humans in LJ’s Music & Stories who love and support me there and throughout the Internet kingdom, I can’t say how much I adore each and every one of you.
I’ve learned so much in the last six months about how to START being a better human being for our future generations in the conversations about supporting marginalized communities. My growth has been encouraged by a beautiful group of human beings in Culture 101, and I’m so grateful to be able to talk safely and openly in that group. Thank you to my sensitivity readers, Eros Lovelace, Korrie Kelley, and Kalie Phillips, for helping shape my words so that they are accessible to more and a burden to less. Thank you to author Kathryn Nolan for being my White accountability partner.
To each and every one of the bloggers who have shared my stories on your own time and your own dime, I cannot say enough. From my heart, I am full of love for Rachel at NovelMomma, Launa at Energy Rae, Candyce at The Book Dutchesses, Korrie the Curlyhairlass, and Jenn Vining at JennsBookVibes. Thank you for helping me accomplish my dreams and making me feel like a rock star.
To the other independent authors who have helped keep me sane, including Clare Lesbirel, Mika Jolie, Mia Kayla, Annie Dyer, Kelsey Kingsley, Amanda Johnson, Maria Luis, Stephanie Rose, Erika Kelly, Jennifer Hanks, Stefanie Torrez, and Sophia Peony, I have not enough words. Thank you, and virtual hugs to all of you.
Thank you to Willow Aster, Emma Scott, Amy Harmon, and Jessica Park for not only inspiring me with your words, but with your kindness and generosity. Every time I read your stories, I’m encouraged to make mine better. Your talent truly blows me away.
To my ARC readers who I’ve come to know personally, thank you for encouraging me to continue this book adventure. Leisa Ann, Sarah, Judy, Amy, Michelle O., Dawn, Michelle F., Dee S., Zilpha, Lisa, Emily, Misty, Tara, Stephanie, and Melissa, thank you for sticking with me through all my writing foibles.
I love you all!
Award winning author, LJ Evans, lives in the California Central Valley with her husband, daughter, and the terrors called cats. She's been writing, almost as a compulsion, since she was a little girl and will often pull the car over to write when a song lyric strikes her. A former first grade teacher, she now spends her days reading and writing, as well as binge-watching original shows like The Crown, A Discovery of Witches, Veronica Mars, and Stranger Things.
If you ask her the one thing she won’t do, it’s pretty much anything that involves dirt—sports, gardening, or otherwise. But she loves to write about all of those things, and her first published heroine was pretty much involved with dirt on a daily basis, which is exactly why LJ loves fiction novels—the characters can be everything you’re not and still make their way into your heart.
Her debut novel, MY LIFE AS A COUNTRY ALBUM, was the Independent Author Network's 2017 YA Book of the Year. For more information about LJ and her books, check out any of these sites:
LJ Evans Books
LJ Evans Newsletter
LJ’s Music & Stories FB Group
Bookbub
Amazon
Goodreads
My Life as an Album Series
My Life as a Country Album — April 2017
A boy-next-door, small town romance.
This is tomboy Cam’s diary-style, coming-of-age story about growing up loving the football god next door. She vowed to love him forever. But when fate comes calling, will she ever find a heart to call home? Warning: Tears may fall.
My Life as a Pop Album — January 2018
A rock star, road trip romance.
Bookworm
