In early 2020, my publisher confirmed that The Fish Dress, my debut novel, would be released on October 27, 2020. I booked the perfect place for my launch event right away—near the ocean, in keeping with the setting of the book. I had worked hard on The Fish Dress for ten years and was more than ready to put it out there. But self-doubt crept in, whispering, “Is it good enough? Will people like it?” As winter turned to spring, ...