St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2024 – the date that marked the launch of Echoes Lost in Stars written by PS Conway and published by Literary Revelations (my small independent press). St. Patrick’s is a day that our Patrick loves. Look at his name: PS Conway – all Irish.
We strategized for a while and on the morning of St. Patrick’s Day we launched the book. All authors that I have published became Amazon #1 bestsellers in various categories. Patrick was to become one of them too because he deserved it.
7am, March 17
Patrick and I start the campaign. We are all over the social media: X, FB, IG, blogs. Echoes Lost in Stars rises very quickly to #3 in Hot New Releases [nature poetry]. I am delighted: a gorgeous poetry book, a new victory for my press was to come very soon.
Yet, as the day progressed the ranking of the book did not change as expected.
6:43pm, March 17
No changing in ranking. Patrick and I are up against something big.
#1 LOVE (vol II) by Atticus. I froze. Atticus is a legend: 5 times New York Times Bestselling author, recipient of many awards, one of the idols of the millennials, 1.6 million followers on IG only. Atticus is strongly connected to Hollywood and works with very important humanitarian organizations. You can read more here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atticus_(poet)
#2 You Are Here: Poetry in The Natural World, “published in association with the Library of Congress and edited by the twenty-fourth Poet Laureate of the United States, Ada Limón… featuring fifty previously unpublished poems from some of the nation’s most accomplished poets, including Joy Harjo, Diane Seuss, Rigoberto González, Jericho Brown, Aimee Nezhukumatathil, Paul Tran, and more.”
#3 Echoes lost in Stars: Poems by PS Conway, publisher Literary Revelations.
You get the picture. The sky fell on my head. How were Patrick and I supposed to fight the titans? On the one hand I was humbled and honored to be in such company, on the other hand I wanted to get to number 1. Patrick and I regrouped and started fighting again.
12:52 am, March 18.
The raking changes. Echoes Lost in Stars takes over Love by Atticus that falls to number 3.
I am stunned. In a few minutes the ranking changes again and Echoes Lost in Stars takes the lead. It becomes Top New Release. Patrick becomes a #1 bestselling author [category nature poetry]
March 18, past middle of the night.
I rush to make two blog posts and to post on X. I am still in disbelief. I watch the raking the entire night. At 7am in the morning Patrick goes back to number 2 and then to number 3.
March 18, 10:03 pm, the hour that I write this blog
Patrick’s book is back to number 2. I am delighted.
You can check out Echoes Lost in Stars here: https://www.amazon.com/Echoes-Lost-Stars-Poems-Conway/dp/B0CWYP98V6
My dear followers,
I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to those of you who have taken the time to read my story. Your support and engagement mean the world to me. Special thanks to all my supporters of my blogs. Special thanks to my beloved writing community on X.
This experience has been incredibly enlightening and has taught me so much about myself and about running a boutique publishing house like Literary Revelations. It has pushed me out of my comfort zone and challenged me tremendously.
Having to fight LOVE (vol II) by Atticus and You Are Here: Poetry in The Natural World, published in association with the Library of Congress has not only humbled me but also made me proud of how far I have come on my journey. Having to fight together with Patrick – such a fabulous poet – taught me more about partnership.
Thank you for being a part of my story, for inspiring me to keep pushing boundaries.
Here’s to many more stories shared, lessons learned, and connections made along the way!
Here is to Echoes Lost in Stars by PS Conway and to Literary Revelations.
Here is to you, my audience!
Gabriela
Gabriela Marie Milton
2022 Pushcart Prize Nominee
Publisher, Editor, Award Winning & #1 Amazon Bestselling Author
Books:
Hidden in Childhood: A Poetry Anthology (ed.), Literary Revelations, 2023
Wounds I Healed: The Poetry of Strong Women (ed.), Experiments in Fiction, 2022.
Woman: Splendor and Sorrow :I Love Poems and Poetic Prose, Vita Brevis Press, 2021.
Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings, Vita Brevis Press, 2020
