How different was it to self publish this title? Will you be self publishing other titles as well?
Self publishing my first title was different from what I usually do. I had to manage and in some cases do all of the steps of the publishing process. I worked with a great editor and she was a huge help in not only editing the manuscript, but in making sure that it was truly ready for publication. I also had to contract for a cover and manage that process. Then I had to upload the manuscript and make sure everything was correct. All those detail oriented tasks were thing that other people usually manage for me. Instead I had to manage them. Which also meant I checked each of them a dozen times to make sure I had them right. And in the end, it seems that I did. Which is some sort of miracle, I swear.
In the end it was a productive process and one that I’m going to do again. I am planning to self publish another title. Heart and Home is written and is starting the review process. It’s Alan’s story and I can’t wait for you all to read it.
Title: A Heart Back Home
Author: Andrew Grey
Series: Standalone
Genre: Gay Romance/LGTBQ/MM
Publisher: Self Published
Date: Oct 13 2020
Blurb/Synopsis:
Clay Kartwell loses his job and gets a call from his estranged father asking for his help back on the family farm, all on the same day. Clay knows he has to return home, even though it’s the last thing he wants to do. Some things back home are best left unremembered.
Dell Warrington was Clay’s unrequited high school crush and the man he least wants to see. He’s everything Clay remembered and more, including the father of four-year-old Archie. But Dell hasn’t had it easy either, and not everything is as it seems.
Clay sets out to save the farm and bring in the crops with Dell’s help. Old assumptions fall to the side as the two men reconnect, and the second chance that Clay never knew he wanted seems within his grasp. But Clay left the farm for a reason, and reconciliation with his stoic father won’t be easy. When his city life offers a new opportunity, he must decide whether to accept what he knows, or follow his heart..
Dell nodded. “Your dad has let a lot of things go, but he was fortunate these past few years, and with the price of corn, he’ll actually grow the farm.” He paused. “I know this is none of my business, but I think he’s doing all this for you.” He rocked closer, and I refused to let myself get drawn up into the old attraction. At least I tried, but it didn’t do any good. The guy I had wanted, had fantasized about, and had dreamed would love me was standing right in front of me, and there wasn’t a damned thing I could do about it.
“He and I have barely spoken since I left town,” I explained. It didn’t make any sense to me. “How is that possible?”
Dell leaned nearer. “I don’t know. But I think that he’s been working himself to the bone in order to grow the farm and make more money. Do you know how he got hurt?”
“Getting out of the tractor,” I answered, and Dell nodded. “I take it there’s more to the story.”
“Don’t go near the road!” Dell called, and Archie promised he wouldn’t, running to Rex to give him a hug, then throwing the ball. It only went about ten feet, but Rex was happy to chase it. Dell turned back to me. “What was I saying? Oh yeah…. Your dad hurt himself because he had been out working until almost nine at night and couldn’t see what he was doing. He’s been working himself ragged.”
“Daddy,” Archie yelled happily, and raced over. “I can throw real good.” He wound up and tossed the ball for Rex, grinning. It didn’t go far, but that didn’t seem to matter to either Archie or his daddy.
“That’s great!” Dell said, and Archie ran back across the yard, with Rex following behind. “I want to do better with him than my dad did with me,” Dell said, still watching Archie as he ran. “I’m determined to be there for him and to put him first. Dad is different with Archie than he was with me when I was growing up.”
“Did you ever get married? I know you didn’t marry Archie’s mother… but….” I was fishing and hoped I wasn’t too transparent.
Dell laughed. “No. After Angie, I had an epiphany. I could lie to myself and everyone else, or I could just be who I was and raise Archie honestly and truthfully. So I came out to my parents.” He paused, and I wanted to rub my ears just to make sure I was hearing what I thought I was.
“You’re gay?” I asked bluntly, and Dell nodded.
Andrew grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then he has lived throughout the country and traveled throughout the world. He has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and works in information systems for a large corporation.
Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when writing) He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and the world’s most supportive and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in beautiful, historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Author Links
Facebook Group All the Way with Andrew Grey
Twitter @andrewgreybooks
Congrats on your big step. I shall be delighted to get this one.
Andrew Grey writes romance that makes you remember why you fell in love for the first time.
Sounds like another great book by Andrew.
congrats andrew
Sounds good!
Congrats on your self published title. it looks great!