September 18th, 2024 will be ten years of being a published author. I am proud of this accomplishment and thankful for the lessons I’ve learned and the connections I’ve made along the way. It doesn’t feel like 10 years have gone by, to be honest with you. It feels like 3! However, there are a few habits and mindsets that I picked up that I challenge myself to release this year. I guess this is like my New Year’s Author Resolution, or whatever.
Obsessing Over the Response
Aight so boom: I write fearlessly, pouring my heart and soul into every word, crafting poems and stories that are uniquely mine. And yet, in the same breath, I find myself anxiously obsessing over the response. Will my work resonate? Will it uplift and encourage others? It's only natural to desire that connection, but here's the thing—I'm letting go of the deep rumination. I'm embracing the truth that my pen is needed, regardless of the size of the audience.
My affirmation is: My pen is needed too.
Whether it’s for 3 people or 3 million, my pen, YOUR pen is needed too.
Forcing Deadlines:
Ya’ll….. Let's talk about the pressure to force deadlines. As an indie author, I wield the power to determine when my next project will be completed. Of course, organization and focus are essential, but gone are the days of succumbing to external demands. I won't let the sand in the hourglass dictate my creativity. Instead, I'm easing up on myself and clutching the beauty of authenticity by the hand. My works will be completed when they're done, and my consistency is already proven. Besides, as of today, my readers-following ain’t that large enough where the supporters of my works are jumping me in the comment sections of my social media accounts. Therefore: I’m finna chill.
My affirmation is: The sand in the hourglass ain’t yo business when your authentic pen is in the mix.
Overthinking the Press Releases
I’ve learned it really isn’t that deep when it comes to press releases. For me: The platform, new stations, influences and websites that could possibly pick it up is the focus. What I’m saying it: Where it’s being distributed has been the key for me. It took a lot of trial and error to figure out who and what works for me. I’ve paid $700 to have a press release written and distributed and… received crickets. I’ve paid $75 to have my press release written and distributed and saw my book featured on spots I didn’t expect. Of course everybody’s book and target audience is different. I finally found the right company for me and I will stick beside them. The rest is up to eyeballs, algo-ma-rithms and fate.
My affirmation: You’ve done this eight times already. Trust the process.
As we step into the year of 2024, let's release the last bits of self-doubt and release the power of our pens. We won't obsess over the response, for we know our words have the ability to touch lives. We won't force deadlines, for we understand that authenticity dances to its own rhythm. And when it comes to press releases, we'll trust the process.
Later.
What do you call a one legged hippo?
A hoppo.
10 years in this thing (slurps my luxurious ramen noodles and sips my bougie instant coffee). Anyway…I wanted to celebrate a decade as an indie author with the release of my eighth poetry collection, Rising From the Shadows. Pre-orders are now available for a December 10th release!