I'm a writer...in progress

I'm an author, a writer, a person who sits at the keyboard and bleeds words all over a document. It feels so good to admit it, but haven't I always admitted it? I have a blog where I write about my adventures in self publishing. I share my many set backs and my accomplishments. I have a book for sale on amazon (Zombie Bite) and I'm about to have another book available soon, but I don't introduce myself to others as an author. I don't hand out my business cards, or do anything to bring attention to me. It's almost like I'm ashamed to admit that I'm a writer. Why? Do I feel like people will judge me or my work? Well, yes, I do feel like that. Whenever I tell people that I'm a writer I feel like I have to live up to a certain standard. I feel like I can't make mistakes and even my blog has to be 100 percent error free. At work I throw away papers that I've written on if I feel like I may have misspelled a word or that the word doesn't look right written out. I hold myself to such a high standard that I end up hiding this part of myself. Why do I do that? Is it because I get negative comments about the amount of money authors make? Maybe because I had a coworker tell me that there were plenty of writers and there was no way that I could stand out and make a living. Maybe it's because the ex that I thought I would marry showed no interest in my writing. He never once asked to read my writing, and he also never encouraged me (even after I said we should write children's books together based on my dogs). It could also be because I don't think Zombie Bite is very good. I wrote everything but the opening when I was in a dark place. I had just been through a break up and wanted to get it out there because I needed to be successful at something. I regret the way I ended Zombie Bite, but that doesn't mean that I regret writing it. I need to own the fact that I'm a writer, an author, and push myself outside of my comfort zone. I need to pass out business cards in my spare time and promote my books on social media. There will always be people who don't like me or my writing, but that doesn't change the fact that I am a writer and a published author.

Why having a back up plan is important

Writing professionally has been my dream for as long as I can remember. While I know writing is what I want to do, and what I aim to do, I also know that I may not sell a single book. I, like everyone else with a dream, need to go after that dream while also working on a back up plan. I want to be able to support myself, even if I can't do it as a writer. I will also be happy writing even if I can't support myself. I will always write, even if it's just for me. In reality, most writers don't make enough to support themselves. It takes a lot of hard work to get your books out there and get reviews and sales. I'm truly happy for the people who have gone after their dream and do make enough to support themselves and are able to write full time, but that is not the average person.

When should you promote your books?

Today I came across a post on twitter saying that you shouldn't promote your first book until you have three or four released. I always thought that you were supposed to promote before you released anything, which is part of the reason that I started this blog. I was told that a good way to promote was to give reviewers free copies of my book and let them review it early, but the post that I read today said that you can waste time and money if you don't have multiple titles out. Both options make sense, but I'm not sure which will work better. Free feel to let me know your thoughts in the comments.

About the weekend review

I have decided that I want to take submissions for my weekend reviews. I'm a writer first, but I also enjoy reading and reviewing. I think it would be a good idea to figure out a way for people to submit books for me to review on my blog. I would prefer self published novels, since I'm about to step into that world and I know I will need all the help that I can get. I hope when I finally decide to release my novel into the world that there's someone there to help me. Now, if I do decide to review self published novels, that does not mean they will get a positive review. All novels will get the review they deserve, which is what I would want for my own book. If you're interested please find a way to contact me.

What will it be like when it happens to me?

I noticed that HP Mallory is having a book release party online today. I know she'll do well, she's an amazing author. I can't wait to pick up the book myself. I also can't help wondering what it would be like to be in her shoes. I always wonder what it's going to be like when I finally self publish my first book, but I don't think I've ever allowed myself to wonder what it would be like to be successful. I guess I never dared to dream that people would be interested in reading what I write about. I always thought other things might get in the way. I go to school and have a new relationship, so it's hard to find time to blog. I also have a full time job, which I need to keep. All of that cuts into my writing time. I'm already into the month where I had planned to release my novel, and way behind. It would have been the perfect time to unleash it into the world, but I had so many things get in the way.

The track I'm on

As far as getting the word out about my blog, I'm on the right track. When I started this blog I knew nothing about blogging, and had maybe five hits. Now I average about 24 hits a day. I hope when I finally finish editing that those hits translate into sales. I still plan on sending my book to reviewers, and I might make business cards. I'm almost sure that I'm going to have to buy a little ad space somewhere, but I have to research that. I'm not the type to throw my money into something that I'm not sure of. I'm probably going to make a few youtube videos, one about my main character's name, and some other random ones, like answering questions if anyone has them. Maybe a book chat for those who have read my book. If I get good at Spanish (which I doubt), I'll make a Spanish edition of my book. I'd really like to have as many people reading it as possible. I'm also going to use kindle, nook, and createspace to publish. The werewolf novel that I am writing now is actually the first in a trilogy, but I plan to take a short break to write a really silly grim reaper novel, which I don't have any plans to make a series out of, but I could. I think live chats would be key in getting people interested, and I will also have to make a facebook page. I've been putting off making a website, but I know I need to do that too. Twenty four is a lot of clicks, but I still want my audience to grow. I'm also considering changing my hair to match a character's if I sell enough books. It would have to be the grim reaper book, she's got some interesting hair.

Book Bloggers

Part of self publishing is promotion. You have to promote yourself. I haven't been doing a lot of that since my book isn't out yet and I'm not sure when it will be. I'm not sure I know how to promote a book that isn't out yet. I haven't even written the blurb for it yet. In some ways writing the blurb is harder than writing the book. I guess because I'm too close to the project. A long time ago I remember reading Rachel Vincent's blog. She said that she didn't write her own blurbs. I was surprised, I'd always thought the author wrote those. I also found out an author doesn't really have much control over their books or how they are marketed after the rights have been sold to a publishing house. Anyway, maybe now is the time to reach out to book bloggers. I know it takes them awhile to sort through their emails and requests, but maybe I should at least start looking at book blogs. I need to find the blogs that review urban fantasy books about werewolves, and other things (I have plans for non-werewolf books too). I wouldn't mind doing some interviews after my book is released, so I need to look at those sites too. If any book bloggers happen to come across this blog and are interested in reviewing my book (no release date so far), please let me know.