Cover Reveal, Delay, and Superstition

Several months ago I received my first cover for my first novel! It was very exciting and I did the happy dance and made the phone calls and updated Facebook . . .  But, I just couldn't bring myself to reveal the cover on my blog even though I had revealed it on Facebook. I guess I thought my blog was so much more serious or something. I don't know. But, this morning is the day I've chosen for a specific reason. More on that later.

One reason I must make clear is this--I'm a Registered Nurse. Even though I'm retired I'm still a nurse and we are a very superstitious bunch. I was a Labor and Delivery nurse. That's a high risk specialty and any of the specialties are especially superstitious. Let me relay an example. Every unit has a status board. It's usually a basic white board with sections taped off for pertinent data depending on the specialty. When I was new to the game we had a slow day and we didn't have any patients so I decided I would clean the white board. Damn! One would think I had cut someone's throat! It seems the board must never be blank because it's bad luck. If it's blank it brings in the hoardes and they will be really sick or will have some kind of problem. What did I have to do? Make up a patient's name, assign her to a doctor, give her some fake physical data and move on. Alas, it was too late. The hoardes did arrive. Every bed was soon filled, we had a couple of patients waiting on stretchers in the hall. I remember at least one emergency cesarean section. And, this is the way  the charge nurse looked at me:

The reason I've decided to go ahead and reveal the cover today is because I'm still trudging through edits. My goodness, it's tough. I feel sorry for my wonderful editor, Ally Robertson, from The Wild Rose Press. It's been a long road for us. She sent me this latest round along with some more specific homework which I believe will help me. It narrows things down into small bites rather than having the intimidation of the entire manuscript in front of me. I suppose revealing it on my blog will also help me feel more professional or something. Today I'm feeling down but not defeated. My confidence is flagging but it will rise again.

I hope you've enjoyed a glimpse of my cover. Would you who have successfully published share any tips of getting past the first book edits and blues? I would appreciate it if you could drop off a comment for me as well. Enjoy your writing and your successes.