Wednesday, January 5, 2022

IWSG - Good Things on the Horizon & Cover Reveal!

It's January 2022, and therefore time for a new year of the Insecure Writer's Support Group! Created by Alex J. Cavanaugh, this monthly blog hop serves to give writers a way to lend and get support for their insecurities. Anyone can join by clicking on Alex's name, then signing up and posting the first Wednesday of each month.


I'm going into this year with a positive attitude. I know there's a lot of caution out there, but my Hell Year was 2019, where within the first half of the year I lost two friends who died suddenly, my dad died earlier than expected from complications from ALS, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, and I had my gallbladder ripped out after years of infections. I've decided that since bad things come in threes, that covers 2019, 2020, and 2021. That means 2022 has to be a good one. I'm determined to do what it takes on my behalf to make that so, which means I have a lot of plans for my writing. Starting with a new release February 1.

Optional question of the month: What's the one thing about your writing career you regret the most? Were you able to overcome it?

I've said it before, but my biggest regret is still that I didn't publish a novel before my dad died. In terms of overcoming it, I guess? I'm moving forward and not letting it stop me, so in that way I'm working to overcome it.

Co-hosts this month are Erika Beebe, Olga Godim, Sandra Cox, Sarah Foster, and Chemist Ken!



I've got a cover reveal today for my book on the craft of writing and publishing short stories! 


I'm so incredibly excited for this book, and I'm looking for help in getting the word out. Click here to go to my Google sign-up link if you're willing to do a shout-out this month. Any help is appreciated. The Business of Short Stories releases February 1 in print and e-book. The e-book is currently on pre-order at Amazon, with the print book hopefully joining by the end of this week. Thank you to those of you who have already signed up to help! I'll be sending out information this week.

Time for the submission roundup for December. I do this each month to keep myself accountable. This month was slim due to my scrambling to get a book ready for publication, but here we are:

4 submissions

3 rejections

0 acceptances

3 removed as "other" due to not hearing back and no action on the publication websites

15 stories currently on submission

What are your insecurities? How are you looking into the new year: with excitement or trepidation? How did you do with submission in 2021?

May you find your Muse.


*Swoosh blue-md by OCAL, clker.com


53 comments:

Natalie Aguirre said...

Love your cover. I'm hoping you have a wonderful 2022! And I totally agree with your approach of moving forward rather than focusing on regrets.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

This is your year - believe it.
That is awesome your book will be out soon.

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

2022 has to be a better year for you. It just has to!

And good luck with the release!

E. Arroyo said...

This is your year! The only thing we can do is move forward. Thanks for sharing.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

That is going to be such a valuable book for writers.

Computer Tutor said...

Yikes that was a bad year--2019. I agree. Nothing to worry about in 2022. You've seen the worst. Best of luck with your release!

cleemckenzie said...

One year like that is enough. Here's to a wonderful 2022 for you!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the upcoming release! What a great way to start the year.

If bad years come in threes, I'm due for a decent 2022, as well. I'll just join you in the positive attitude department.

Olga Godim said...

Great cover - it hits all the right buttons. Good luck with its release.

Shannon Lawrence said...

Thank you! My husband does my covers. We're learning together.

Shannon Lawrence said...

Yes, thank you!

Shannon Lawrence said...

Yes, please! And thank you!

Shannon Lawrence said...

Thank you!

Shannon Lawrence said...

Thank you! I sure hope so.

Shannon Lawrence said...

That's the way I'm looking at it!

Shannon Lawrence said...

It definitely is! And thank you!

Shannon Lawrence said...

2022 is our year!

Shannon Lawrence said...

Thank you! My husband made it.

Sandra Cox said...

2019 sounds absolutely ghastly.
Wishing everything wonderful in 2022. Yay on the release!

Miffie Seideman said...

I definitely do love that front cover. And wishing you a much better 2022!

Janet Alcorn said...

Your book sounds great! Good luck with the release, and I hope 2022 is your best year ever.

Emma L Gill said...

Lots of luck with the launch - that’s a great cover! Hope you have a better year :)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Shannon - love the cover ... and all the best with all things in 2022 - cheers Hilary

Adrienne Reiter said...

Great cover. Here's to a productive 2022!
Best,
A

kimlajevardi.com said...

I love your cover!

Jemi Fraser said...

Love the cover - so exciting!!!
Here's to a fabulous 2022!

Diane Burton said...

Great cover. I'm looking forward to your book since I want to write more short stories. I signed up to host you on my blog. Good luck.

Michelle Wallace said...

Happy New Year, Shannon!
That's a snazzy yet business-like cover! Love it!

J.Q. Rose said...

Perfect. I am venturing into writing short stories this year. I love writing them, so I am looking forward to reading your book and using all the tips you share. I signed up to spread the word on my blog. The book cover is eye-catching. Congratulations!

Meka James said...

I love the positive outlook you have for 2022. Sorry 2019 was a terrible year for you. Sending all the good vibes you've been dealt enough bad for a long while. Congrats on your upcoming release

Beth Camp said...

Kudos to you for writing through all that has happened these last several years, and congratulations on your book launch (and publication). I'm also impressed by your steady perseverance in getting your stories out! Signed up and looking forward to reading your advice.

Chrys Fey said...

I hope 2022 is a wond3erful year for you. For all of us.

Congratulations on your book release! Your book would be perfect for a reading challenge I'm doing. :)

diedre Knight said...

Yay, you on the latest release! Happy to help with promotions.
The events in your life of late sound a lot like mine. We're do for a stellar year, don't you agree? And you are well on your way!

Jean Davis said...

I like your theory of threes. May 2022 be better.

Best of luck with your new release!

John Winkelman said...

Congratulations on the book launch. As I primarily write short stories, this is relevant to my interests. Bookmarked, and will look for the release of the print version. Happy New Year!

Rebecca M. Douglass said...

Yeah, here's hoping for a much improved 2022! It's hard to fix what didn't happen, but yes, you move on and don't burn energy with regrets.

Congrats on the book! I've signed up to help get the word out! I'm trying to submit more shorts, so I'll need to read that one.

Denise Covey said...

Hey Shannon, it sounds like you've had your year from hell, so here's hoping 2022 is awesome in every way.
Congrats on your upcoming release. I'd offer to help but there's only 24 hours in the day. My best wishes go out to you. I hope your sales rocket!

Lynn La Vita said...

Hi Shannon,
The last three years have been tough. I admire your focus on writing and collaborating with your husband. Your new book sounds very interesting. Wishing you joy and prosperity. Lynn La Vita

Deniz Bevan said...

That's a great cover! Here's to optimism and a happy new year!

emaginette said...

Congrats on your release. Happy 2022! I hope it's great for all of us.

Anna from elements of emaginette

kjmckendry said...

I am with you, let's make 2022 AWESOME!!!! Congrats on your new release! I love the cover!

Chemist Ken said...

Sounds like 2022 is shaping up to be your year. Sorry for everything that's happened to you during those bleak years. And don't forget--your father is still watching you publish.

Have a Happy 2022!

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

Love the cover, Shannon. If I saw it in the bookstore, I'd definitely pick it up. I wish you great success in 2022. It's been a weird few years. 2019 was a great year for me. It's shocking how bad things got after that. I lost a family member to suicide this Christmas. It knocked my socks off and only now am I able to pick myself up. I'm with you, 2022 is going to be much better.

Samantha Bryant said...

Sounds like you've have dealt with more than your fair share of difficulties in recent years. May 2022 bring you much cause for joy.

@samanthabwriter from
Balancing Act

Victoria Marie Lees said...

Sorry to hear of your troubles. You certainly deserve a better 2022. Go for it! And bravo to you for having so many stories out on submission. All the luck with your new writing book. I LOVE the cover. Truly wonderful!

Jemima Pett said...

I hope you have a great year, Shannon. Yes, I think troubles come to us in groups. So hopefully this year will be kinder to you.
I think I ought to check out your new release... as I like doing short stories...

Toi Thomas said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I'm excited about your new book and pre-ordered my copy. I also signed up to help spread the word. I'm glad you are determined to make 2022 a good year and are moving forward despite your regret.

Gwen Gardner said...

You've got a great attitude going into the new year. I'm cautiously optimistic as well.

I'm sure your dad is watching from heaven and is so proud of you!

James Pailly said...

Personally, I am feeling optimistic about 2022. Bad stuff could still happen, but I feel like I'm better prepared for it now than I was before. I like to say that happiness doesn't come from never having problems; it comes from knowing how to deal with problems when they arise.

Anne Higa said...

I sincerely hope that 2022 is everything that you hope it will be. I have a feeling that many of us are hoping that for ourselves right now. Thank you for sharing.

Elizabeth Seckman said...

2022 has to be better.

My dad also passed before I got a book published. He had cancer and one of my last memories of him is him walking to the top of the steps (quite a bit of work for a guy as sick as him) and reminding me not to give up. Nothing worth having ever comes easy.
I like to think he knows. Maybe Heaven has updates.

Heather Musk said...

Thank you for sharing, both your ups and your downs over the past couple of years. I'm sure your dad and your friends are very proud of you.
Good luck for the launch of your book. It's something I'm definitely interested in, I'm hoping to do more with my short stories this year.

Nick Wilford said...

Congrats on the release. With all your experience, I've no doubt this will offer a wealth of info and be a great resource.