Half the PR workshop is over and while I have gotten a lot of good ideas, I'm behind in the execution. My next book MAKING IT WRITE doesn't come out until August, so I have time to do something for the release. But I realized that I couldn't even pitch anything until my website is updated and I couldn't get the stuff together to update it until I finished with the proof pages so that the excerpt would have any corrections. And then there was another problem.
Part of the workshop is a weekly Zoom meeting with the other participants and the PR person who is running it. Due to some confusion with how to access things, I missed the first week. I mostly listened to the other people talk about what they were doing and then I brought up doing a newsletter. They all agreed it was an important thing to do and had done them. Honestly, the reason I haven't is when I tried before I got confused by the mechanics of putting it together, getting a mailing list, etc. I feel more confident now that I can figure it all out and it seems like the most basic thing to start with, even if I'm getting kind of a late start after 26 books. I got some good ideas of content to put in and most of all feel like there's an option for help if I run into trouble. But I will need to put something to sign up for it on my updated website and I don't want to do that until I have actually put together the first newsletter. So I'm on hold for getting my website updated.
Most of my attention has been on the proof pages with the deadline fast approaching and I'm just about finished. Then I have to make a list of corrections to send to my publisher. It's the last chance to make any changes.
There have been the interruptions. If my family can see me, they assume they can talk to me. And what are you going to do when an adorable five-year-old climbs next to you on the couch and wants to cuddle and look through a puzzle book? I read a review someone left on one of the crochet books and she seemed to not like that Molly didn't stand up to family members. I realized that if there's a next Crochet Mystery I'm going to have to explain that like me, Molly always has the welcome mat out for her family, stray animals and stray people. As long as nobody complains about the dust bunnies rolling around like tumble weed, everybody can just show up.
And now to figure out the newsletter.
11 comments:
I say try to get all the cuddles and book time you can. Time speeds along quickly. My seven grandkids are ages 20 to 10. First two are girls and five boys. Believe me, cuddle time is pretty much over. I do get some good hugs though.
It seems to me that my grandkids grew up faster than my own kids. Thankfully, they are really sweet kids, and we still spend a lot of time together. Just finished breakfast with four of the boys and was up texting with the 20-year-old past midnight about her new boyfriend. I am grateful. A little tired but grateful she feels comfortable confiding in me.
I also feel family comes first. Jake will be grown up way too fast. I practically raised 4 of my 13, but now 3 are out of state, and the other is very busy with a new job.
I do hope we will see Molly and Berry again, and it should be about time for Casey to make that overnight date. It must be hard to keep 3 series going at once.
It looks like Janet Evanowich has finished # 28 in her series and is now starting a new one. Also, Carolyn Haynes has something like 22 in the "bones" series, and Joanne Fluke is pushing 30. It is amazing that they can keep the ideas flowing, but I know you can do it too !!
Sally, I couldn't agree more! Time does speed along and that cuddle time is irreplaceable. It's so nice that you have a closeness with your grandkids. I hope that Jakey confides in me when he gets older. I still remember when my son was broken hearted after a break up and we went to the movies together. It was the March of the Penguins and we were the only ones in the theater.
Linda Osborn, how great that you have so many grandkids and were able to spend so much time with four of them. I agree that family comes first and it is how I live.
I'll share the good news here first. I heard from one of my editors this morning and he wants to do three more Crochet Mysteries. I'm excited because I'd already come up with the beginning of the next book.
Writing 3 series is a challenge, but I love it. I am living my dream.
That is good news ! You also have two more knitting series too. right ?It will be very interesting to see what Molly and Barry do as "grandparents". If Peter has a girl, l think they would both be delighted !!
Such good news all around !!
I admire you for doing all you are, including taking a detailed class like that, on PR. It will be fun to see the results, And your distraction sounds adorable!
As a reader I am grateful for all you do. I'm looking forward to your newsletter.
Yay!! I'm excited for the crochet series to continue a little longer.
Chkntza, you have no idea how much your comment means to me. All I really want do is spread the fun.
Sally, I am happy, too.
Please let me know more about the newsletter..
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