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Book Release: Let’s Celebrate!

I’ve taken another leap forward in my creative journey and self-published my first book. I’ve spent the last few months rewriting every story, working with a book cover artist, figuring out how to format a book, and taking on each challenge as it presented itself—and there were many! I had no idea what this journey would look like, and although I’m still in the weeds of doing new things, I’m ready to share it with you.

I’m thrilled and grateful to present my debut book, Watering Words: 52 Short Stories.

Isn’t it beautiful! The official release date is April 27, but you can pre-order it now! What you get if you pre-order:

  • Autographed copy of the book
  • Bookmark with links to a photo collage and Spotify playlist for all 52 stories
  • A printed and autographed copy of an additional story not in the book titled Through the Glass Windshield

A portion of my book sales will go to support my favorite nonprofit, G.I.R.L.S. Rock Sacramento. My daughter attended their camps for eight years, and it changed her life. Please, check them out and consider a donation. Right now, more than ever, we need organizations helping girls find their voice.

If you ARE local, you can also attend my book release party at 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 27 at A Seat of the Table Books in Elk Grove, California. Not only is this my favorite independent bookstore, but they strive to create a “place that is safe and affirming for all identities.” Seriously, I’ve never felt so comfortable in any store. They’re tremendous supporters of local authors and will carry my book on their shelves.

Did you catch that? My book will be IN A BOOKSTORE. {Pinch me}

Now, what’s this book all about? Readers of my blog will recognize most of these stories from the writing challenge I did two years ago, but they’ve all undergone extensive rewriting and editing. Here’s the blurb from the back cover of the book:

The Blinking Day arrives for a mother after she drops her kids off at school. A starving child follows a rabbit to a house of candy. Orange trees kill a father. An alien must learn one true thing. A girl wants to be a fish tank. An old couple paints with blood. Apple stars unlock memories. Goldilocks gets what’s coming to her.

Written over one year, Bridgette Kay’s debut collection crosses genres and time as it explores the complexities of being human. With a unique ability to capture deep emotion, she tells fictional stories through the lens of lived truth. Read one story a week or devour them all at once. Your next favorite adventure starts now.

  • For a sneak peak at the stories, check out my Instagram

Real talk. This post feels big and scary. While I’m excited to have this book in the world, it also comes with all the insecurities and fear of being a creative. Will people buy it? If they do, will they read it? If they do, will they like it? I’ve had many moments over the last few months where I’ve said, “I’m not ready for this.” I’m not. I’ll never be.

There’s a creative on Instagram I love named Amie McNee. She just published a book titled We Need Your Art: Stop Messing Around and Make Something. I’ve got a copy beside me as I type this, and I keep flipping through and reading her words. “Imposter Syndrome is a clear sign from the universe that you’ve leveled up, baby.” “Other people will have made art similar to your art. It’s not a cause for panic. It isn’t a threat. It’s proof of market. There’s room for you.” “Nothing truly wonderful is made without first being a little bit cringe.” Her words are exactly what I need to read right now. Thank you, Amie.

It feels cringe to ask you to buy my book. It feels scary to say I’m proud of myself. But, I’m saying both. I finally finished a creative project and I’m going to let myself celebrate.

If you are considering self-publishing, starting a blog, or any act of creativity—go for it! I’ve got people coming up to me excited about my book. A friend posted on FB, “You are bringing light into the world, light that will help me on my way. Congratulations!” and another said “Just the best thing ever!!! And it’s about time!” How cool is that?

We need art right now. Make your art. Use your voice. We need you.

And buy my book. It will look pretty on your bookshelf 🙂

Cover design: Vivian González Zúñiga

87 thoughts on “Book Release: Let’s Celebrate!”

  4. Yay Bridgette, I’m super happy for you. You so deserve to be read by a wider audience. It’s an exciting, nervous time I know. Embrace the nerves and excitement and enjoy. Just remember, you ought not to judge yourself on sales, whether that’s a million or zero. Selling books is a bear pit and you’re talent can’t be measured in figures. Right, off to see if I can pre-order on Amazon UK.

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  9. Way to freaking go Bridgette! Let’s goooo! That book cover is very beautiful indeed. But I bet the words inside are even more beautiful. So I need to get that book in my hands ASAP! I also thought that this post was very inspirational for me personally as well. It’s party time! Let’s keep on celebrating all of the hard work you’ve put into this! 💪🎉🎊

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  11. Alriiiiight, let’s gooooo! Congrats, Friend! My pre-order is in. I can’t wait to see how pretty it is on my shelf and see all the revisions you’ve made and read the stories I don’t know yet.

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    • Thank you so much! You’ll find your name in the acknowledgements, as you’ve been a huge supporter of me on my journey. I’m so lucky we found each other here. Finishing this step has made me super excited for my next book!

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  12. Oh sweetness of a post. The world has been waiting for you. Your stories are fantastic. Always.

    So the real questions: do you ship to Japan? Or can I save myself the shipping costs and purchase it somewhere in Japan? Where.
    I hope the book is reasonably priced. The exchange rate kills me every time.
    Or do you have it digitally?

    I’m so happy for you Bridgette. A world of admiration 👏🏽 You did it!

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      • Thank you so much! Your words made my day and I’m honored you want to buy it. It probably will become available for you after the pre-order period, so if you want a physical copy I’d way until April 28 and try again. Another option: I’ll be doing an ebook in May, so you could wait for that. I might even do an audiobook (although it might be closer to July for that version). Keep me posted as I’m curious about how the extended distribution works.

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  16. Everything is coming together beautifully! Your hard work and determination are evident. Congratulations, author Bridgette! 👏🏻

    How fabulous it would be to attend your book release party. 🎉 Enjoy and best wishes on a successful book launch. You’re on your way! 🚀

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    • Author Bridgette! Ahhh! Thank you so much, Michele. I just went out to celebrate with my husband and realized the only thing that has held me back from doing this before was fear. In January I decided, this is the year, and now it’s happening. It’s been hard, but so good. I can’t wait to start my next project.

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      • I hope you’ll do an online launch. I have attended a few Zoom book launches and always really enjoyed them. A good way to widen your audience and also make your work more accessible. A lot of ‘local’ people may not be in a position to get to the venue. I am currently in the process of publishing two of my books and am looking into possible ways of doing readings that will allow my blogger friends to attend.

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  24. GIRRRRRRRLLLLLLLLLLL, I am so incredibly proud of you. I am so excited. You know I clicked add to card. Then my card kept declining because I kept putting in the wrong expiration date, and I thought, boy am I getting old. Can’t read the numbers on the back of my card. I am so happy and excited for you. You arer doing it! It is big and scary and wonderful and you are doing it!!!!!!!

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  26. I’m soo happy for you Bridget. Congratulations and love you’ll be in a book store.. A great day for a launch.. Its my son’s birthday! You’re so close, yet so far but I’ll let my fingers do walking.. All the best! 💕

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  32. So many things to say: when I quit dipping my toe in the water and started blogging for real, you were one of three writers who I immediately followed. Two found me; I’m not sure if you found me or vice-versa (through a comment or something you left on a photography blog). Your constancy in asserting yourself inspired me, and it still does. Just as I’ve started to check out of just about everything–no, not LIFE, I’m just in hiding from our current “American reality”–here you are, saying, “get with it, get in there, DO SOMETHING!” Thanks. I wish you well, and I’m buying the book because frankly I only read one or two of those stories the first time around. (blushing) I wish I lived a bit closer than North Carolina. (Neil must be enveloping you with pride and love right now.)

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    • You’ve brought me to tears! Thank you. I completely understand the desire to check out, I fight the urge too with all that’s going on in the world. My book makes me happy and proud of myself, something I desperately need right now, and the fact people might read it—INCREDIBLE! Thank you for buying it and supporting me. It really means so much. And your comment about Neil…I sure hope I’m making him proud.

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