Coming into January I had a lot of irons in the fire, I had a pending meeting with a small press that was interested in publishing my work, I had inspiration to start of Alison's thrid book, I had kids to get back into the rhythm of school, and I had a analyst looking at Intoxic for screenplay merit. It has been a busy and chaotic time. My To Read list keeps growing and I can't even begin to get to it until I finish book three. I hope to have some new reviews for February, but January, friends, is a writers paradise.
I am still on hold to make a decision about whether I want to continue self-publishing or whether I want to join forces with the small/medium press. I never thought I would say it, but my heart is so much in self publishing that I almost feel that I need too much from a publisher to walk away from the independence. The thing I want from a publishing house is exposure and distribution and I'm not convinced (100%) that a medium press would be able to do that for me. I am scared to let the opportunity pass, because what if I then fizzle into obscurity? Is that okay? Maybe. Still processing.
I'm also still waitng to hear from the analyst, and don't expect his opinion until February. So many people have said that Intoxic really came through to them as a nearly visual experience and they could imagine it on the big screen. I'm excited to hear if he has the same response, and with that, any suggestions on moving forward in that realm.
Alison's third book is merrily writing itself. She amazes me every time I sit down to see where she is going and I am so often surprised when she does exactly the opposite of what I would do. I always thought she was really some secret part of me, but maybe she is not. hmmm. I think there are at least four books in the series, because as I come to the end of book three I am beginning to see the arc for book four. Amazing little person is our Alison.
I've had really wonderful responses to Purgus, and I've seen some increases in sales for intoxic, so I think it is true that the more you write the more people give your writing a chance. I know I'm guilty of not choosing authors with only one work. I am always looking for an author I can get lost in and one book is not enough. I would so love to have the right person pick it up and love it and spread the word on some massive platform, but that is hard to come by without knowing that right person. Oprah Winfrey, if you are listening. . .
I've had some exciting feedback from book clubs and have had the pleasure in participating in a couple via video chat. I have thoroughly enjoyed those chats and hearing feedback and thoughts on the book. I also begin to learn where I can improve for future projects. Thank you to everyone who has invited me into their homes to share a glass of wine and book talk.
Feel free to contact me, I would love to hear from you. I am still collecting books for my Self-Published and Small Press blog reviews. I would love to hear from other authors who have published in any of the ways to publish, and if you would like to write a guest post, please let me know. The more we support and encourage each other, the more successful we will be, in all ways. Share your journey with me.
Wishing you all a very Healthy and Happy 2017. Every year I try to have a word that I focus on. Last year it was Create, this year it is Need (as opposed to Want). Think about what your word should be for 2017. Success, Fun, Happiness, Forgiveness, Peace, Calm . . . What would your word be?
Thank you for sharing my journey. Have a stellar day.