January 04th, 2017

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!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time.

(Click here for an update on the blog / comment system situation.)

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This month’s insecurity: The consequences of impatience.

As most of you know, Tucker--my beloved dog and personal assistant--had to have surgery a few months back. It cost thousands of dollars I didn’t have, so I had to push up the timeline of my next release (As We Know It). Everything would have been ready in time regardless; it’s just that December is a notoriously bad month for sales. (Consumer money is often tied up in holiday expenses, and festivities leave little time for reading.)

I knew this, yet I plowed forward.

Reviewers were sent ARCs, a few advertisements were lined up, and my Thunderclap succeeded in getting its 100 supporters to post on the 12th. (Thanks for that, by the way!) Things were looking great, all things considered. Plus, with this being my best book to date, I figured I could leverage word-of-mouth while people were surrounded by family and friends. Then I could pay off Tuck’s surgery sooner rather than later and move on to the next project.

It seemed like a good plan; it wasn’t.

While the book was well received in terms of reviews, sales were crap on a stick. Things might pick up in the New Year, but I sacrificed that oh-so-crucial early momentum to gain visibility in the long term. Why? Because I ignored my better judgment (a.k.a. the marketing side of my brain) and mixed business with my personal life. I knew better, and I did it anyway.

Long story short, don’t be me. Have patience when publishing. Don’t let your personal life influence your business. And for the love of all that is right in this world, don’t publish a standalone in December! LOL

Question of the Month

Do you have a writing/publishing regret that stands out in your memory?