Yes to all of this! And even though social media is different now, I still agree about the Do Less. It doesn't move the needle like we want to think it does, because it's one of the few things where we can put active energy. But it's more an energy black hole than anything productive, 95% of the time.
I’m debuting in almost 3 months, and this was so so helpful to read. It is emotionally taxing and nerve-wracking and it’s nice to hear that the best thing we can do is just keep writing. That’s what I’m doing, and I appreciate the affirmation! Thank you!
Thank you for sharing Jodi! I’m debuting soon too - fiction. I’ve published in non-fiction before. Interesting to hear your views about Goodreads. Do you have an author profile on Goodreads now or no presence there?
I’ve really changed my behavior/use of goodreads over the last year. Also I miss chronological feeds. 😂 It will still be many years (likely) before I’m a debut, but this is all great advice!
Great article! I found the "don't spend all your money on merch" advice to be really useful when I debuted. I was all set to spend money on bookmarks and stickers and postcards and everything under the sun, until I read an article pointing out that it's not essential, so pick one or two things and leave it there. I ended up going with pins (thanks purebuttons!)
As someone with Book 2 in early stages right now, I'd love to read more about "Also by..." That's the next thing on my author goals to check off! Is there any rhyme or reason to it? What are a publisher's incentives for not including books?
Thanks so much for sharing this, Jodi! I'm nine months out from my debut, and it's already easy to fall into that trap of worrying I'm not doing enough. Sometimes we need a little reminder that most of the things we stress over don't matter that much in the long run.
Yes to all of this! And even though social media is different now, I still agree about the Do Less. It doesn't move the needle like we want to think it does, because it's one of the few things where we can put active energy. But it's more an energy black hole than anything productive, 95% of the time.
Also your knitting projects are incredible!
I’m debuting in almost 3 months, and this was so so helpful to read. It is emotionally taxing and nerve-wracking and it’s nice to hear that the best thing we can do is just keep writing. That’s what I’m doing, and I appreciate the affirmation! Thank you!
Thank you for sharing Jodi! I’m debuting soon too - fiction. I’ve published in non-fiction before. Interesting to hear your views about Goodreads. Do you have an author profile on Goodreads now or no presence there?
I’ve really changed my behavior/use of goodreads over the last year. Also I miss chronological feeds. 😂 It will still be many years (likely) before I’m a debut, but this is all great advice!
Great article! I found the "don't spend all your money on merch" advice to be really useful when I debuted. I was all set to spend money on bookmarks and stickers and postcards and everything under the sun, until I read an article pointing out that it's not essential, so pick one or two things and leave it there. I ended up going with pins (thanks purebuttons!)
As someone with Book 2 in early stages right now, I'd love to read more about "Also by..." That's the next thing on my author goals to check off! Is there any rhyme or reason to it? What are a publisher's incentives for not including books?
Thanks so much for sharing this, Jodi! I'm nine months out from my debut, and it's already easy to fall into that trap of worrying I'm not doing enough. Sometimes we need a little reminder that most of the things we stress over don't matter that much in the long run.