Thursday, July 26, 2012

Major Announcement: I AM MOVING

Brace yourselves.  I'm going to give you a glimpse into my private life for a moment.  Yeah, I generally hoard that stuff and protect it with big steel doors and muscly men, but this time ... I think it's for the best that you know.

For a very long time, I've been looking for a new day job.  While the full-time fiction writing has been nice, I need a little more to survive on as well as some health insurance.  A day job will also give me the social interaction that I've been sorely missing.  In short, it's time for me to get back out in public and out of my fictional little world for a few hours each day.

After a couple trips, many tests, and interviews, I GOT A JOB! Yes!  Oh happy day! I have a job.  I am leaving the financial industry behind after more than 10 years and I am going to be a proposal writer for a medical software firm.  Completely different field and completely different writing.  I can't wait to get started.
What does this mean for me and my little family?

We are moving.  After a few decades living in the Cincinnati area, I will be moving with my husband, puppy, and two kitties to Madison, Wisconsin.  Land of cheese and lakes.  I haven't seen a lot of the area, but what I have seen is very pretty and reminds me of my home in Northern Kentucky.  I'm a little nervous about tackling my first winter there, but I am pretty sure we'll survive.

I'll be checking in with family to make sure I have phone numbers and addresses.  I'm also planning to regularly post pictures and even the occasional video on Facebook so that close family and friends will be able to see my new home in Madison.

What does this mean for my lovely readers and book bloggers?

I am drastically cutting back on social media in August.  I have one month to pack, yard sale, put the house up for sale, find a new place, move, and finish book revisions.  In short, I'm going to be very busy.  I will still be out there on the Internet, but it may take me a little while longer to reply to questions.

If you have an interview or guest blog scheduled with me, you will get your promised material by the due date.  If you have not sent me the interview questions, PLEASE give me at least a week to answer them.  Otherwise, I might not be able to get you my responses in time.

If you would like to interview me or receive a guest blog to help support and celebrate my upcoming releases, I still have openings in September and October.  Please email me at JocelynnDOTdrakeATgmailDOTcom to schedule an appearance.

I will still post on my blog, Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter when I have interviews and appearances upcoming, but my other general ramblings will be nonexistent until September.

Before leaving Cincinnati, I will stop at several bookstores to sign stock so that you can get an autographed book there if you're interested. 

Of course, the neat thing is that if you are living in the Madison, Wisconsin, you will now be able to get a signed book since I plan to sign stock there when my next book comes out. (That, of course, is assuming that I can locate a bookstore. It may take me a little while to find everything.)

Facing this extended radio silence, let me just thank all my wonderful readers!  I'll be back soon, sharing all my Wisconsin-related discoveries.  Cross your fingers for me and all well wishes are appreciated.  Also, if you've got moving tips, those are also appreciated.  I've never attempted a long-distance move like this and I'm sure this is going to be a learning experience.

But if you really want to help me, spread the word.  If you loved the Dark Days series, tell others.  Shout it out on your blog or Facebook account.  If you loved The Asylum Tales: Bronx, tell others to grab it up.  Shout it to friends!  If you can get others to read my stories, I can focus on moving safely.

Thanks for your help!

18 comments:

mudepoz said...

Welcome to WI. Normally we have fairly decent weather. Don't hold the current situation against us cheeseheads.

Madison is gorgeous, I went to school there, you should enjoy it.

Anonymous said...

I've lived in WI my entire life and I love it. Are you ready to become a Packer fan? I can't wait to get a signed book!

Good luck with your move.

Jocelynn Drake said...

Thanks! The heat doesn't scare me as much as the snow. I loved what I saw of Madison and we're looking forward to the move.

Jocelynn Drake said...

Anonymous,
I can't wait to sign a book for you. As for the Packers, I think I'll always be a Bengals fan. It's too change that.

Stephen drake said...

Booooo packers , go Bengals!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the job and move. I've made several major moves, and the best advise I can give you is - if you haven't used/worn something, sell it, give it away or trash it, just don't pack it! Good luck!

Fairyluver75 said...

How exciting! Good luck on this next adventure!

Unknown said...

Best of luck! A fresh start is always exciting. I just moved across the country with my 3 cats, and you definitely need a plan when you're moving with animals. I've got a few tips if you're interested. : )

Unknown said...

I wish you and your family all the best! Hope the move is smooooth!!

Steven said...

Awesome news, congrats!

Sharon Stogner said...

Congrats! What a load off your mind to find a job :) we went through this 2 years ago. The husband got a new job and we had 3 weeks to put the house up for sale and move. Along with transferring both kids into new schools! It was crazy, but we did it :) will be sending you an email to schedule a a stop on my blog!

Vinny K said...

I'm sad that you're leaving Ohio behind, because the likelihood of me getting a signed book or future event of yours plummets nearly to nil, but I am happy for you. Congratulations, Jocelynn! Ohio, as well as I, will miss you!

Unknown said...

Congrats on the new job and good luck with the move! I live in Iowa so maybe now I can get a book signed, if you find the bookstore. :-P As far as tips, if you haven't used/worn it in a year get rid if it, wrap anything breakable in at least two layers of whatever you're wrapping it in, if you're not using a moving company recruit as many friends/family as possible and foot the bill for food and drinks as a thank you, and label at least two sides of every box so you can figure out what room it goes in easier.

Kim Harrison said...

Congrats!!!! Welcome to the madness of moving. I think you might be closer to me, but there's that lake in the way . . .
Kim

Nicole said...

Congrats on the job and the move. We'll miss you here in KY!f Hopefully you'll be back for visits :). And um, Go PACK (I've been a cheesehead for like 18 years now lol).

~Nicole aka kyatty2007

kazza16 said...

All the best coming your way from Australia!
I'm sure you will knock em' dead wherever you are.
Take care and be safe during your move and we look forward to hearing from you once you're settled!

Anonymous said...

This wonderful news. A move you get to clean out the junk you have been saving. I loved "The Asylum Interviews, Bronx" Can't hardly wait until the next story come out. Ok now that you are in WI, you can offer prizes of cheese. They make the best. Yummm. Thank you for the offer to do blogs and interviews. I am just starting my blog...hint, hint. (smile)

christina blair Campbell said...

We will miss u and the Hubby Kentucky will be losing to great people. Even thou we've not talked much since school. Ill still miss both of my friends. Good luck I'm so happy for u and love u both. Wi is getting two great people. I have family in eagle not to far from Madison will have to make a trip up there to see u all.