Bottomless tool box

I'm like a little sponge. I follow several writer groups on FB. I read articles almost daily. I want to KNOW all about the book business. What works. What doesn't. What do readers like/want/hate?

My newest addition to my writer tool box is listening to some guy read my manuscript back to me. It's slow as shit. Around 25 pages an hour. But it's also thorough. I can't listen to audiobooks because they're: 1. too slow 2. I got distracted and almost ran into ditch

So listening to this male is a little bit like death at first, but he grows on you. I follow along visually since that's my type of learning.

If you're not sure of yours, look it up. This knowledge is invaluable.

I don't remember verbal instructions. Don't give a damn if there's only three. They'll be lost in the shuffle of my grey matter.

ahem

Threw together a newsletter.

Okay. Labored over what to put, how to put it, where to put, etc. Because I will overthink a blade of grass, given the opportunity.

Hoping that goes over well. Quite a few readers entrusted me with their email and WANT to hear about my wonderful world of make-believe.

Bless them all.

I'm also contemplating adding book art? fan art? whatever the fuck it's called art to my books. I actually have an artist I can use, and I want them all to be a certain style. 

Am I juggling too many plates?

Is there ever a time when I'm not?

Guys! I have a PA, and I'm still plowing through all these new things. It's exciting and daunting and makes my wee mind explode, in a mostly good way.

Next up, book boxes and maybe kickstarters...to be continued.

Over the weekend, I got in a knife fight.

With myself. We both won. I cut the fuckforsaken industrial strength zip tie, and I went to the ER for four stitches in my left hand.

Should have opened the POS item with scissors and not my pocket knife. I called it a pocket knife until my wife posted this on FB:

Hers is on the left. Mine is on the right. With my O- still on there.😶

Because...I don't play.

Today has been getting over my Spravato lag. It's been getting worse every Wednesday. Exhausted would be putting it mildly. But the stuff works, so every Tuesday it is.

Going to fine tune "Dream Walker" again. 

You really can edit your book all the time and STILL find something to improve.

Daunting, I know.

Finished editing "Ace" and set it up for my preorder. Had my PA send out the ARC forms. 

September looks to slow down with appts (August has been ridiculous), but it's full of birthdays. 🥳🎉

And also, healing from my knife fight. 🗡

Busy

It's so cute because the Honey describes my busy time as summer. The most book events and whatnot. But if you know me and the birthdays of my family, you would see that September-December kicks my ass every year.

We have three granddaughters and the Honey's bday in September.

All the kids (adults) in October. Wedding anniversary.

Thanksgiving with the whole crew.

Christmas.

Then, I take the deepest of breaths and begin again.

Oh. Did I mention I'll release two more of the Plot Twist series books and a short story in an anthology? Plus, editing three books. 

Writing helps keep the depression away. Does absolutely nothing for my anxiety, though. 🤔😂

Had the yearly boob squish today. Hated it. 

I'd like to know exactly when someone thought it was a good idea to compress my boob, and THEN turn the fucking knob three times to make sure she doesn't escape. 🤨

Yeah. That boob isn't going anywhere. I fear for my nipple, at this point, though.

And still, I say go have their pictures taken. Better safe than any other option.

MEN and WOMEN.

Okay. Off to clean the hacienda a bit. Having a granddaughter bday party tomorrow, and she's spending the night. 🥰

If I haven't birthed you or occupied the same room while you were birthed, do not expect such niceties.

Wear shoes, and don't lay on the floor. 😆

Book Events--not all about the immediate sales

Let's be honest. We want an agent to contact US about representation, and we want to sell ALL THE BOOKS at book events. 

Because=human.

But let's take a look at what a book event can do:

1. I gave out every one of my business cards I had. Probably around 150 at the last event.

2. Sales at the event.

3. At the previous event, there were six book orders placed within that week.

4. After this last event, my traffic, on site, went up 3%. While that may not sound like much, it's a literal ton compared to daily activity.

5. Putting your name out there. Being visible to readers.

6. Letting readers have a face to a name.

Some tables at these events are a bit costly. Authors need to weigh several variables before they blow $200-$500 on a one-day event.

Number of tickets sold.

Expected crowd number.

Type of book event.

Author recommendations. (This is huge.) Word of mouth works everywhere.

Repeat attendee for said event.

There are a lot more events popping up in smaller cities which are imperative to study. If you can get in on the inaugural event, you can have that foothold to create relationships and build strong author to author and author to reader bonds.

Love the familiar faces on both sides.

Travel.

The farthest I travel now is Ft. Smith. I can do about three hours in a car. Then I need to be horizontal with a pharmacy of pills within my reach. 

I love doing shows in Oklahoma. 

Local people are incredibly supportive.

All in all, if you've a book or two out, you may want to consider investing in a book event. It'll invest in you.

BEHOLD!

 Guys! GUYS!

Okay, we all know I'm an office toy addict. Love me some post-it notes, multi-color pens, and other hyphenated good things.

But, you guys, I ordered myself...an embosser.

She is beautiful. 🥲

Came in yesterday but didn't see it until today. Broke that bad girl out and immediately fucked up the nearest paper to me.

It reads:

From the library of (on top)

Inman Books (bottom)

And my fucking logo in the middle!!!

This little piece of metal brought a tear to my eye. 

Another step. Another milestone. Another office toy.

I always wanted to be a library when I grew up. 💖

Man. Next Tuesday has big shoes to fill.

Sunday? Monday?

Let's do the time warp again.

It's Sunday, but I got home after eight last night after my three-hour drive and was catatonic. Body today is being a right bitch.

All worth it.

Every single ache, pain, and spasm.

Book Me Romance is always special to me. I love the other authors and cherish all the readers. They are the sweetest souls. I have a new bracelet from a fantastic reader. I have stickers and business cards from other authors. 

I sold more than a few books.

It was simply the best time.

(If you want to attend 2027, please get your tickets early. Ashley always sells out.)

We had 423 people this year. Ashley is going for 600 next year.

I sold out two titles. Gave away all my gold bags and business cards. 

I'm already building a cart in Vista Print.

A last minute add-on brought people to my table. So doubling that order.

And while it was a romance book event, I always bring different things. My two most popular titles were "Canary" and "Apollo and Hyacinthus". 

Quite a few readers were into mythology and found the premise fresh. Also, everyone loved my covers. That I made. That are not AI. 

And one reader in the group specifically asked if there were any queer authors or queer characters.

I was the only one who responded, and her group buzzed by my table. 

It was awesome.

All in all, I can't wait for next year. I've already signed up, of course. 

The only difference from now on, is I think I will only take 10 titles instead of 13. 

🤭

MODERATION

Preorders and newsletters

Here I go again...testing my own boundaries.

I would say I'm "old school", but I'm that and simply old.

What I love about the written word is that it's not only a young person's game. Writers can jump in at any point in time and give it a go.

Or...keep going.

I've had 3 preorders. 

These are a massive gift to the unsure. 

What?

You want my book?

Sight unseen???

Do you need a kidney? Cornea? Name it.

The amount of excitement I feel when getting a preorder is truly unholy. 

There's a small dance and hip wiggle.

Because EXCITEMENT!

And I ride that dopamine high the entire day.

And for things I fucked up the first time but now will have help with...AKA...someone else in charge--is newsletters.

I had the best intentions.

And I tried, people.

I tried.

But I quite sucked.

And that's fine.

Recognition is the first step. Stepping away is the second. I've laid the groundwork for my PA to pop in and throw those bad boys together.

Gathering sigs now for the list.

And that's another thing.

You're giving me your email? To learn more about me and my books?

Is this...is this heaven?

I'm constantly surprised and delighted by reader response. 

I live for it.

It is the one constant that keeps me going. 

Would I still write? I would.

But readers make my world go 'round.

Excited for this Saturday and Book Me Romance. 

Dopamine...sweet dopamine.