Wednesday, October 7, 2015

#IWSG - October edition & One Stop For Writers is LIVE!

Hi. My name is Heather and I'm insecure.



Alex J. Cavanaugh
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!


The IWSG Anthology Contest is open until November 1. Go HERE for details.
You MUST post for either October or September to be considered for the anthology!

The awesome co-hosts for the October 7 posting of the IWSG are TB Markinson, Tamara Narayan, Shannon Lawrence, Stephanie Faris, and Eva E. Solar!


To me the pinnacle of getting published was seeing my title/cover/name on Amazon.

I figured once it was there, it wouldn't be long before all matter of wonderful things happened.

But, it's a false hope.

Being on Amazon, or any other ebook outlet, doesn't equate to instant sales.

And, I can't help but feel low about it. I can't help but wonder why my books sit there while other books are soaring.

I'm happy for them, but jealous as all hell, and completely unsure of what to do to fix it.

Write more? Market more? Give away more? All of the above?

Yes. It's D. All of the above.

Crap.

I have no inspiration, no marketing budget, and I've tried to give my book away and let's just say there isn't a line waiting.

Crap.

There you have it. The tiny inner workings of my psyche have just come to a screeching halt.

If you need me, I'll be rocking. And muttering. In the corner. Bring chocolate.


***

From the creators of The Emotion Thesaurus comes a brand new writing tool.


A New Library In Town: One Stop For Writers

If there's one thing all writers agree on, it's that writing is TOUGH. The road to publication twists and dips as we learn the craft, hone our abilities, create stories we're passionate about, fight discouragement, educate ourselves about the industry...and then start the process all over again as we realize there's room to improve. But you know what? If you are like me, you wouldn't have it any other way.

Yet, sometimes it's nice to get a helping hand.

Finding a good writing book, a helpful blog, a mentor or critique partner to share the journey with...these things are gems along the writing path.

And guess what? Maybe there's another resource waiting just up the road called One Stop For Writers. One Stop For Writers is not writing software, but rather a powerful online library that contains tools, unique description collections, helpful tutorials and much more, brought to you by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi, the authors of The Emotion Thesaurus and Lee Powell, the creator of Scrivener for Windows.

Could One Stop For Writers be the writing partner you've been searching for? Visit Writers Helping Writers this week and see, where Angela, Lee and Becca are celebrating their venture with prizes and some pay-it-forward fun.    

31 comments:

  1. Hey Heather - I'm like your echo in the publishing industry! That's why I ghostwrite. I'm appreciated and paid for doing something I love. But it doesn't make up for my own work floundering on Amazon. :( Hugs!

    shahwharton.com

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  2. Ah, chocolate. I'll bring loads. And it can be frustrating.

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  3. I feel the same way when I self-published. Always checking the sales and wondering why the sales aren't going up. What more I can do? It's a normal feeling for writers to want our darlings to be read by many people. And it gets us down when the sales don't reflect that.

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  4. It is a truly hard thing, but my only answer is this, Take some time, think about other things get out. The stories will come and the only way to get past something hard is to go through it.

    You will get there, just keep moving forward.

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  5. This is a helpful post for me.

    First, I like the new resource.

    I am even more chicken than you.

    I won't let a book out unless I get a power-house agent and a big publishing house to throw everything behind it. So I you can guess how that path has been going for me.

    Maybe I need to be brave and just push forward.

    Thank,

    Dave Emanuel

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  6. I'm there with you. It seems some people can hiccup and produce sales accidentally while most of us market our ass off with meager results.

    Since you can't control the outcome, don't fret, and just keep writing.

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  7. Oh goodness, this is true for most of us. Or at least I tell myself this lol You're not alone, we're all tanking together o_O I'm trying to write more, but we have life and people that depend on us . . . so it's not that fast. We do giveaways, and not many people really care. And marketing budget? Ugh, what's that? I guess I just remind myself I'm proud of at least getting the books out. Its time will come if it's meant to . . . if not I'll blame it on no marketing budget lol

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  8. I'm sorry your having a tough time Heather. We all know how you feel. I actually talked about worry on my own blog today. Maybe I should have added chocolate as one of the ways to deal with it? ;-)! I hope things get better for you soon.

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  9. I know that helpless feeling about sales. Just keep writing. It was my eighth published book that finally became a bestseller. I'm glad I didn't give up.

    Susan Says

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  10. Doesn't it seem sometimes like the best things also have drawbacks because of the very thing that makes it great? Publishing is now a reachable reality for anyone. And also, publishing is a reachable reality FOR EVERYONE. And they are all out there doing it, aren't they?

    Are you connected with any self-pub communities? While I don't indie pub myself, I joined Self Publishing Info Swap on Yahoo groups because it's led by a successful author I know of through romance writers. If you want to talk strategies and what works and what doesn't, there is great conversation going on there. Another yahoo self pub group is pretty popular too if you do a search on Yahoo groups. Not that you were asking for advice... ignore if not helpful!

    Here's my October IWSG Post

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  11. It's like priming the pump. You don't have to do a lot, just a little every day to keep momentum going. And when it stops, prime the pump again.

    I don't eat chocolate so you can have all of mine.

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  12. *throws chocolate* Sorry you're having a hard time. That's something I fear whenever I publish too. But marketing more doesn't necessarily require money. Just spread around social media. There are tons of online guides about it.

    - Madilyn Quinn @ NovelBrews

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  13. There. There. As long as you have chocolate, all will be well.

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  14. Lots of chocolate headed your way. Marketing is a tough one. Things will turn around soon, I'm sure of it!

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  15. I hear ya', girl. The frustrating thing about marketing is you never really know what works. Just keep at it. You have to if you love writing. There's something inside each of us that has to come out on the page...dang it. Just remember the joy in getting that story out. Good luck. Here's some m & m's, my go-to chocolate choice.

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  16. Sending you strength and hope. I know it's cliche' but keep fighting.

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  17. We're in the same boat, Heather. Let's tank together, more fun that way. Here is some digital chocolate for you, all dark and yummy: http://www.godairyfree.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/sjaaksbars2.jpg

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  18. Can I join you in that corner, Heather? I'm good at the muttering, hair-pulling, chocolate (and cheese) eating while trying to get myself together - and I'm not even published yet! I can only imagine what it must feel like to worry about sales/marketing.

    I'll bring lots of chocolate to share. **Plops down, rocks back and forth alongside Heather.** Enjoy the rest of IWSG day. Hugs. Eva, IWSG Co-host

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  19. I have those days where I want to curl up in a corner for those same reasons. Who knows what it will take to change things? More marketing? Another book? Luck? All three? I'm guessing all three.

    PS: I am doing a Halloween book hop event. It's trick or treating, but with BOOKS!

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  20. It's a long and winding road, but we're all on it.

    The new resource looks very cool, though. I will definitely check it out!

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  21. It's so normal to feel insecure about this, Heather! You're definitely not alone. Even most of the writers who are kicking ass are worried that they're not doing as well as that other guy.

    If you want to do a creepy post about all the things you learned from the X-Files or something like that on my blog, let me know. I'm not sure how much blog hops work, or if they do, but it can't hurt. The better the post, the more it will help. Shoot me an email or FB message.

    And in the meantime, I think you'll appreciate this: https://libbabray.wordpress.com/2015/10/05/dear-friends/

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  22. You are not alone. We have such high expectations, only to have them dashed by reality. We just keep doing what we can't not do--write. And try to enjoy the journey.

    Best wishes,
    Diane
    IWSG #94

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  23. Shah – Floundering is an excellent descriptive word for what we are doing. Thank you for coming by!
    TY
    HMG

    TBM – That is MUCHO appreciated!
    TY
    HMG

    Alex – Maybe its just a down trend in anticipation of the holiday. Let’s hope.
    TY
    HMG

    Lidy – Yes, we want our darlings to be read. Is that really so much to ask? : )
    TY
    HMG

    Karen – I wish you the very best of luck, Karen!
    TY
    HMG

    Brandon – Thank you. You’re absolutely right. Thank you. : )
    TY
    HMG

    David – It’s not easy no matter what. You still have to have a social media presence and do lots of your own PR even with a big publisher. No time like the present!
    TY
    HMG

    Tanya – THIS! Exactly THIS! Yeah, I guess I’ll go back to writing.
    TY
    HMG

    S.K. – I wish I could produce as fast as some of the authors out there! It’s crazy!
    TY
    HMG

    Sylvia – Thank you! I’ll share the chocolate with you!
    TY
    HMG

    Susan – Number eight was the charm? Ugh. Not sure I’ll get that far. But, I’ll try.
    TY
    HMG

    Stephsco – Those are great resources, thank you. I didn’t know about them.
    TY
    HMG

    L. Diane – A little every day it is. – And, I WILL eat all your chocolate, thank you so much.
    TY
    HMG

    Madilyn – Thank you. I’m sure you’re right. It’s just frustrating.
    TY
    HMG

    C Lee – Chocolate cures all things. And bacon. : )
    TY
    HMG

    Southpaw – Thank you! I need all that chocolate and then some. I hope for a turn around, too!
    TY
    HMG

    J. Q. – Yes. The joy. The joy of writing. The joy of creating. The joy.
    Got it.
    TY
    HMG

    Ryan – That is really sweet. Thank you so much.
    TY
    HMG

    Olga – Woo Hoo! Together!
    TY
    HMG

    lilicasplace - Yeah! I love having rocking/muttering friends! Thank you!
    TY
    HMG

    Patricia – So many of us saying the same thing. I guess I need to stop taking it so personally! Thank you!
    TY
    HMG

    C.D. – Long and winding it is. It’s nice to have so many friends on the road with me.
    TY
    HMG

    J.H. – I love that Dear Friends blog post! I had to share it on FB this morning. Thank you so much for your offer. I love talking about The X-Files! I’ll work on something soon.
    TY
    HMG

    Diane – You make a great point, Diane. Thank you. Keep writing!
    TY
    HMG


    Thanks so much, everyone, for leaving me such great comments and virtual chocolate!
    Heather

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  24. I am thrilled for Angela and Becca! What they have created here is simply amazing. What a great site and resource for writers.

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  25. I'm so sorry you're sales are down armd you're feeling blue. The really good thing about this terrific group Alex created is that we truly are not alone. You've made it further than a lot of us. The thing is, and you've just knocked me over the head with it and I needed that, we think we've made it once we have a book offered for sale. When we started this arduous process, no one told us about marketing and all the other business skills we'd need a master's degree crash course in.

    I didn't send chocolates and I know that a single sale isn't going to send you spinning into cartwheeling in your pajamas, but I just purchased your first book ( I haven't reviewed your second book - I'm really behind on my reviews, but I promise to catch up this weekend).

    I hope sales pick up soon, but until they do, just keep writings I keep hearing stories from authors whose careers didn't take off until book four or five or even eight. You write fantastic stories with fleshed out characters that live with us long after the book ends. Your books will take off, I know they will. I have faith in you as a writer and in your career as an author.

    I'm also psyched about the one stop shop for writers. Becca and Angela are already my go to girls for help when I'm writing so this will be an added bonus.

    Sending hugs and good thoughts your way.

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  26. Take comfort with your chocolate Heather,
    Yvonne.

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  27. SA - It really is an amazing resource. I'm hoping to be able to use some of it.
    TY
    HMG

    Melissa - You're so sweet. You're absolutely right. We are all in the same boat and need to support each other. Thank you so much for your kindness. I hope I can help you the same way.
    Thank you,
    Heather

    Yvonne - Thank you! My husband brought me a giant piece of chocolate. I'll be gnawing on it for a while. :)
    TY
    HMG

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  28. Heather, I'm rocking and muttering right next to you! I'm doling out more money for marketing than I'll ever see a return with book sales. I feel like I'm spinning my wheels and there's no solution. And the money well has run dry.

    A good promotion site which I recently discovered is Midlist. It's hard to get your book in there, but I had success this week and the best part, it was a free promo. But they do have a $100.00 promo which I turned down. It worked great. So far, my book made it to the #4 spot on Amazon, at least for 2 days nows. It'll be skyrocketing soon, I'm sure. Look it up.

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  29. It happens. My sales were good for the first six months. Let's not discuss right now. I may join you on the floor. But you know what they say...write another book! AHHH!!! And I am. :)

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  30. Cathrina - You are more than welcome to rock with us! Thanks for the heads up about the site. I don't quite fit their parameters yet, but its a goal.
    TY
    HMG

    Jennifer - Me too! Let's keep writing!!

    Thanks everyone!
    Heather

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  31. I'm not in the same place yet, but I'm sure I will be. I keep hearing that the more you put out there, the more sales there will be, and that it's a cumulative effect. Whether that's true or not, I don't know. I'm sorry things are rough right now, though.

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