An exciting thing is happening. I have a story that’s stayed in my heart for six years now (aside from the few trusted friends I’ve shared it with), and now you get to read it yourself.

Before you get bored with a bunch of backstory, let me show you what my book looks like, because that’s probably why you’re here.

For the first time in my life, I have something I want to say. I say a lot of things, like how much I love LotR, but that’s just my random musings, and if you’ve been reading my blog for awhile, it’s just that. My thoughts.

But now? Now I have a message. A message which started out as a story for my brother and which I now strongly feel must be shared with more people. The world is a dark place, and sometimes we don’t know why the things that are happening are happening in the first place. But just like my tattoo, there’s a reason for it that we can’t often see.

Have you seen my tattoo? It’s this little conductor guy. The thing about conductors is that they know their music so well, they can shape it however they want, even if the audience can’t quite tell where they’re going with it. Music tells stories. Even if some of the notes don’t make sense, and even if you can’t tell how the symphony will end, it’s all there for a reason. And oftentimes, that reason is only known to the one holding the baton–the conductor.

So I guess part of the reason that I’ve decided to publish (finally!) is because of my tattoo. I mean, it was definitely inspired by this story I wrote, which is appropriately titled The Conductor.

Real quick, let me get something really important out of the way. I wrote this story for my brother. My goal of publishing is not to get rich or impress editors or wow fellow authors. Sometimes I still want all that, but it doesn’t matter as much now, because ultimately, I write for an audience, and that audience happens to be middle-school-age readers, people who love music, and anyone who needs a storyworld to which they can escape.

Above all, this story is not perfect, and it never will be. And I have come to realize, perfection isn’t the most important thing to me anymore. This is an adventure story, a story I still hold very close to my heart. But I’m ready to share it now. As a wise man once said, “I’m looking for someone to share in an adventure.”

So, what do you think? Will you join me for this adventure?

By the way, next week I’ll have a post officially introducing the book, and some more fun stuff after that, so stay tuned! 😉

Oh, I almost forgot: The Conductor will be releasing at the beginning of December. I’ll announce the exact date soon!