Yinka, you’re Stateside

Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
On the 18th January, my phone was on fire. My book—Yinka, Where is Your Huzband?—was officially out in North America. I reached for my phone and tapped on WhatsApp. Several messages from family and friends were pouring in. I hopped over to Instagram. Wow, never have I received this number of notifications before. Next stop, Twitter. Earlier in the day, I had tweeted about the news and posted a few pictures of myself posing alongside my custom-made cake (you know, keeping with the debut tradition). Underneath the hundreds of likes were streams of people extending their congrats.

My heart swelled. Wooow. So, this is what it feels like to be a published author. The closest feeling that I can compare it to was how I felt on my wedding day (but after I exchanged my vows, of course, because before then, I was a nervous wreck). Euphoric. Excited. Pure ecstasy. A sense of disbelief and relief knowing how long, how many years, and all the ups and downs I’d had to push through to get to this point. I felt proud of myself. And also, quite overwhelmed by everyone’s love and support.

During the five years in the making of Yinka, there were so many times when I wanted to give up and doubted myself as a writer. I even questioned whether the story was worth telling. Maybe I was just wasting my time?

And now here I was: scrolling through Instagram photos of my book, my book, posted by people who I don’t know, who live over 3,000 miles across the other side of the world. They wished me happy publication day, said they couldn’t wait to read Yinka and how they had heard so many great things about it. (Thank you, early readers!)

Honestly, I could have spent the entire day reading and re-reading all the messages, intoxicated by the dopamine chemically released by my happy brain. In fact, I think it was this excitement that kept me alert until 12 am—which was when I had my online launch event. (Which was 7pm Eastern Time.) Hosted by Loyalty Books—an independent bookstore in the US specialising in diverse literature—the event would see me in conversation with Jesse Q. Sutanto, the award-winning author of Dial A for Aunties. In addition to being excited, I was a bit nervous that not many people would attend, except for the handful of family and friends I pleaded to stay awake and tune in.

I needn’t have been. The event was so much fun. Jesse was a pro at interviewing and our chemistry and banter was effortless. Over 50 people tuned in, including one of my favourite romance authors, Lindsey Kelk, which was absolutely surreal because her books inspired me immensely while I was writing Yinka. One of the highlights of the night was seeing a message from my mum pop up in the chat, thanking everyone for attending. Someone replied, "Hi Lizzie’s Mum! I love Yinka!— Then my brothers chimed in, and later my uncle, and Lindsey Kelk aptly commented, ‘It’s a family affair!’ Jesse and I busted out laughing, and I could tell that the other viewers were in hysterics too. God bless my big ol’ Nigerian family.  

By the time I hit the hay, I was as wide awake as an owl with the temperament of a two-year-old toddler who had just demolished a packet of Haribo. I laid on my back, gazing upwards, in the darkness; my brain still buzzing from the event. And in that same way in which you suddenly realise that it’s your birthday tomorrow and you’re going to be a year older, it hit me—I, Lizzie Damilola Blackburn, am a published author...

Then it also dawned on me that it was nearing 3am in the morning and in less than 12 hours I had an entire day of back-to-back radio and podcast interviews. I really should get some sleep. Thankfully, my first interview wasn’t until 2pm and so unless I slept like a possum, it would be impossible for me to miss it.

The next day, just before my first interview, I spoke to the producer who was going to be on standby and would connect me to the live radio call-ins. I had prepped beforehand by rehearsing my answers to standard questions, so I was feeling relatively calm—all I had to do was be myself. I also had a tall glass of water nearby as I had a strong feeling I was going to need it (and perhaps several more). My throat tends to get dry when I talk a lot!

In the end, I had eight interviews spanning from 15 to 45 minutes. Don’t get me wrong, it was hella fun but also exhausting! However, one thing that I had promised myself prior, was that I would be present. I would soak up the feeling, regardless of how tired I felt because the worst thing one can do is to sleep through a dream when they’re actually living it. So, I made a commitment ahead of publication week to savour every win:
 • Education activist and Nobel Prize Winner, Malala, has hand-picked Yinka for her Literati book club. (Take the time to acknowledge how big of a deal this is. C’mon, it’s friggin’ Malala! Praise be to God!)
• A Barnes & Noble bookshop in Michigan posted an Instagram photo of Yinka in their store. (Yes, your book. In their store. The same Barnes & Noble you’ve heard being mentioned in passing in American movies.)
• A twenty-something dark-skinned woman read Yinka in a day and posted an Insta story saying how "seen" the book made her feel. (Wow, wow, wow. What an honour. Look at the impact Yinka is having.)
 And this is just the start of what’s to come. In roughly two months, Yinka, Where is Your Huzband? will be published in the UK and worldwide, and I plan to absorb and relish every moment.

Buzz! I looked over at my phone. Smiled. Another notification. What better time to be present than now?