Hey! It's that time again and I'm not forgetting!
The IWSG was created by Alex J. Cavanaugh to provide a place for writers to seek and provide support to each other. Anyone can join. Simply click on Alex's name and add your blog to the list. Then write your post and hop around to visit your fellow struggling creatives.
The co-hosts this month are: Janet Alcorn, SE White, Victoria Marie Lees, and Cathrina Constantine. Be sure to visit them to say hey as thanks for their work.
This month's optional question is: What turns you off when visiting an author's website/blog?
As a reader, it would be not being able to find information on their books and where to buy them. As an event organizer, not being able to find a way to contact the author was a pet peeve. As a fellow author I'm probably looking for the same thing as I am as a reader. Other than that, I don't really want to see politics. Even if they match mine.
Okay, my insecurities. Well, the fact that I've reached critical mass for me. Balls are being dropped. It frustrates me when I can't keep up with everything and let things slide. Example being that I missed IWSG last month and I think the November one, too. I tried to set solid boundaries with my job and ended up sliding backward anyway. I've tried cutting down on some things, like my podcast going from weekly to once per month, so we'll see if there's any improvement from that. The overwhelm is leading to a shutdown, and I've got too much to juggle to actually let that happen. Critical mass.
But in positive news, I'm zooming forward with the release of my debut novel! I updated the banner on my Facebook page and couldn't believe I'm putting out my SIXTH book! I don't think I imagined being in quite this place a decade ago.
I'm running a giveaway through midnight on February 15 via Rafflecopter. The prize pack includes a signed paperback copy (after release on March 26), Wendigo magnet, Wendigo figure, tote bag, Wendigo pop socket, and $20 Amazon gift card. The link is below.
I'm running a special on my Square store. The first four people to order the signed paperback from me get a Wendigo sticker with their purchase (delivery after March 26).
And I'm looking for people to help with the release in March! You can sign up via the form below.
This has been exciting and nerve-wracking. Even more anxiety inducing than the craft book release. I'm trying to focus on having fun with it as I plow forward toward release day. So far, only the e-books are up for pre-order, and they're still trickling out to the full list of destinations, but I've got one proof and am waiting on the second, and then the paperback should be available for pre-order. My UBL from Books2Read should be updating over the next few weeks. Everything moves so fast once the momentum gets going.
I was a guest on Functional Nerds (my third time!), chatting with a good friend, Patrick Hester, and his co-host Tracy Townsend. It's episode 610.
I've also got a short story coming out in an anthology, releasing February 15th! Every story is based on an Alice Cooper song, and proceeds will go to his charity, Solid Rock Teen Centers. Dismember the Coop is already getting great reviews, so please consider checking it out on Amazon! There's also a large print version available.
In other news, I was a panelist at COSine here in Colorado Springs. I had a lot of fun, had some great panels, and got to see some friends. And I was organized enough to actually have swag for the upcoming book release. Including stickers! I've never really done much swag for my books, so this is another part of the fun. The rest of the swag is reserved for giveaways. (Photo taken by F.P. Dorchak)
Sorry for the long post, but I'm excited I got my act together long enough to pooooost! I've had the urge to start posting again regularly on topics I want to discuss, but know I wouldn't be able to stay on top of it. Not right now.
What are your insecurities? What turns you off an author's page? Have you entered the giveaway? What are some successful giveaways you've run?
May you find your Muse.
22 comments:
Congratulations on the pending release of your first novel! So exciting. Hang in there with the chaos. Keep breathing and you will get through it all.
Congrats on your new release! That can make an already busy life even busier. Like Liza said, hang in there.
Hi Shannon - congratulations on getting your act together - though sometimes we just need to look after ourselves and just do what's needed. You are certainly busy and have full goals - take care and all the best - Cheers Hilary
Congratulations on your next book! That is awesome. Despite things sliding, you still made it happen.
You are so busy. Could you please bottle your energy and send some my way. Good luck with the upcoming release and all your projects.
That's a really good giveaway. Congrats on the upcoming book and anthology.
I juggle so many balls, I've lost half of them.
Critical mass is a dangerous place to be. Pacing is everything and a calendar... :-)
I'll cross my fingers you'll sort it out.
Anna from elements of emaginette
I know what you mean about 'balls dropping'--and perfect way to say it. These changes in the newsletter thanks to DMARC rules and other stuff I really don't understand--rather than redo everything, I'm thinking of dropping my newsletter. Life is too short, right?
Congratulations on the release. There is not enough space in this comment box to list all of my insecurities so I'll leave that one alone. I'm fairly new to your site and IWSG but would like to know what type of help you need? (You mentioned it in your post.) I've recently taken a hiatus from my blog but want to get more connected and post more regularly.
Congrats on the release but not being at critical mass. I've signed up to share your book.
I need to find a better way to organize my life :D I have ideas and places I want to submit my work to with their own deadlines and half the time I'm trying to keep it all together in my brain and a little note pad on my phone. Not the greatest.
Great blog
Woot on the release! That's AWESOME!
Sorry to hear things are getting overwhelming. I hope it calms down soon and you can return to holding strong to your boundaries.
I agree about politics. I think I'd get in trouble with family if I dove into that topic.
Please read my post
CONGRATS! I'll help out with posts on Instagram and X (I signed up). My blog will be offline in March. 😕
Look at all the wonderful things you do, Shannon. You are amazing! Don't sweat the small stuff, but don't burn out either. Bravo on being a part of a panel at the Colorado COSine. You are a wonderful organizer. All the luck with this next scary [book] release. Again, bravo!
Congrats on your upcoming release! I'm also struggling with too many balls in the air and have been dropping some (like, you know, return visits to people who comment on my IWSG post :-) Oh, well, better late than never.) I enjoy my day job, but I'm not as good as I used to be about keeping it from taking over the rest of my life.
Liza, thank you! I'm trying to make a point of taking a day here or there to just relax.
Natalie, it definitely can, thank you!
Hilary, always good to get ones act together, lol!
Alex, that's true!
Susan, I would like to find a supplier of toddler-level energy!
Diane, you and me both!
Anna, thank you! I've been using a planner successfully for the first time ever. It definitely makes life easier.
Jacqui, I think we do so much to do everything "right," and it eventually has us not doing any of it well. So if you need to drop your newsletter, I feel like that's a legitimate thought.
ib, I'm looking for help getting the word out about my novel, such as sending the info to folks to put on their blogs. It's definitely easy to drift away from the blog!
Patricia, thank you!
Kristina, I found that keeping a spreadsheet of markets that included the link and when the open call was closing helped me.
Rajani, thank you!
H.R., I hope it's from you getting a break from blogging! (I'll find out here soon when I stop by).
Victoria, I appreciate it, thank you!
Janet, keeping work from encroaching is so hard sometimes, no matter how much you enjoy the job! I have definitely dropped the visiting ball.
Loni, I feel like it's definitely a topic to skirt around unless you're selling a book that involves politics!
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
I can relate to having too much going on.
Congratulations on your recent release. It's always exciting to be putting something new out into the world.
Your short story anthology sounds cool.
Not sure if you're still looking for contributors, but I've filled out your form to promote your book.
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