So yeah—I wrote a book.

If you’ve been following me, you’ve heard this a few times already; this’ll be one more. (Don’t blame me. That guy in the mirror made me do it.)

The book went live a little over two months ago. And yes, it’s sold a bunch of copies. Not bestseller-list, airport-bookstore, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it famous—but enough to matter.

As of today, it sits around #450,463 on Amazon’s Best Sellers List in Literature & Fiction. Before you judge, that’s up from #846,063 just two weeks ago.

So… progress, right?

No victory parade. No viral moment.

Just steady, quiet progress. And honestly? I’ll take it.

Yeah, I’ve done the rounds on social media. Shared stories. Made posts with photos (no videos yet – maybe soon. Maybe not at all).

I’ve been interviewed a handful of times, and articles have appeared in various newspapers—locally here in the Imperial Valley: The Desert Review, Imperial Valley Press, Imperial Valley Insight, and my school’s very own The Bulldog.

I’ve even joined a group of local authors and participated in their annual holiday book fair/meet and greet. Sold a handful of books and signed a bunch of autographs. 

Today, the ante was upped a bit. I appeared on KPBS San Diego’s Midday Edition Live podcast. (Man, I tell you. It’s a trip hearing myself talk about the book. Is that really what my voice sounds like?)

I’m still not quite sure what to make of all this. It’s uncharted territory. I’m off the edges of the map here. Words aren’t failing me—but I am finding it a bit of a task to put all of this into words.

Yes, I know. This post kind of proves otherwise.

This journey has been something else. 

But I am enjoying the hell out of it.

If you’re curious, or if any part of this resonates with you, my book is available here:
http://amazon.com/author/marianovelez

There’s more waiting at https://xinkblotz.com Telling stories, sharing thoughts, and drinking coffee. A blend of fiction, reflection, and whatever’s brewing – one post at a time.