Well. . . two more days until Crystal Clear is released and I'm a wreck!
I know, I'm supposed to be excited. . .and I am, with the same excitement you feel in that dream, you know the one where you're taking a final exam that day and you didn't even realize you'd enrolled for the course! I think I missed the class "How to be a Published Author"
Just to list what I'm worrying about:
1) What if no one buys the book?
2) What if the people who buy it, hate it?
3) What if I get horrible reviews?
4) What if, what if, what if. . .
And yes, ALL of those things are out of my control. I've tried worrying about the things I can control, and I've been "out there" promoting the book, getting my name out on lists, and blogging until everyone is simply sick of the name Ericka Scott. . .
I've heard it said that the best way to promo a book is to write another one. . .and I can't write because I'm worrying too much! Argh!
So. . . what do you worry about that is totally beyond your control?
17 comments:
Don't be crazy! You're guaranteed at least one sale from me.
And I'm really looking forward to it! :)
I can't wait to try out not only yours, but others at Cobblestone. WTG!!
Sarah
LOL -- relax! Enjoy the time!
Cole
Waving magic wand...you are now serene and successful! What an exciting time. Keep us posted!
I don't know, Ericka. Seems to me you could be getting your name out more. I certainly haven't seen too much of it.
What do I worry about? Don't ask.
Alice
Ericka! Quit worrying. :) Like you said, it's out of your control, right? Just come on over to the chat and we'll have a good time. I think it's very cool that we've got books out on the same day!
Just try your best to promote it and see how you go.
What do I worry about? I used to worry about everything... so now I'm trying to be a little more relaxed. Not sure if it's working...
But if you're worrying so much that it's affecting your creativity, you need to take a deep breath and relax. Go for a walk, or read a book. Try to forget about the release date until it's actually here. And then celebrate!
:D
I can't wait to read it! It's natural to be nervous. Maybe you can channel that excitement into a frenzy of creativity. Good luck.
Another sale waiting right here. There was a fantastic post by Lucinda Betts in comments at Smart Bitches blog last week (or maybe week before), where she identified all of the things she does to promote. I'm not sure all of them would be applicable for you, but check over at FF in the "Big Game" forum where I stored a copy of her wonderful list. Romancebytheblog and redwyne.com seem to do a lot of new author guest spots, too -- maybe contact them and see if you can snag a guest spot?
We all have doubts when our babies are released. But don't worry. You'll do fine. CP doesn't hire fools. So if they accepted your story, it's because it's good. ;)
Here's a bit of advice - stop! Just take a breath, release it slowly, and think - I'm okay. No matter how you slice what is going on, you made it.
I've met authors who have done apology prints and redemption writes, suprisingly, I don't think you are one of them.
Even experienced authors such as myself have those last minute moments of panic - it's very normal what you are feeling right now.
Very exciting!!! It's gonna be great!!! See you at the chat!!! :-)
I'm buying! :)
Thanks for all the cheer and words of advice!
I'm out there "promo'ing" my buns off. . . sending out sneak peek excerpts and buying ads (there should be an ad running on Romancing the Blog for a couple of weeks starting on Sunday).
I've had a good response for my newsletter contest (my engineering husband has concocted this random number generator thingy to select the winner), so there's still time to enter before midnight on Friday!
Oh Ericka I went through all that too. It's perfectly normal. I swear transitioning from aspiring author to published author was more confusing then becoming a mom for the first time!!
Not that you asked, but here's my advice lol
I've been doing the promo stuff for a while now and it gets completely overwhelming! I agree that the best way to sell your book is to write another. Give the people something else to read when they finish the one they've got. It's simple but it works.
My Christmas book at Wild Rose went back up into the top ten last month, in fact it's still there, and I haven't promoted that since January!
Congrats on your sale and your upcoming release!!
Can't wait to buy it!! =)
Mostly personal stuff, about my family, stuff that's out of my control. It keeps me from worrying about stuff about my books that's out of my control, LOL.
Hey, you.
Happy release day. :)
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