Gosh, what a year 2022 was! Finally, we came out of COVID, and we could get back to normal and start living again. Many of us were still working from home and had to return to work and that was an adjustment on its own!
I was hard at work getting my first novel ready for self-publishing. Everything was a learning experience for me, from getting a book designer, formatting my book online; getting it printed in paperbacks, putting it on Amazon, having it all ready for my release day.
There was marketing to be done, lots of behind-the-scenes things to get my novel on my social media platforms to be noticed by readers. A friend remarked why not have a “book launch” and I laughed thinking who would buy my books? But I was surprised at how many of my friends reached out to me wanting a paperback of my novel!
Initially I had only printed 20 paperbacks and sold all of them in two weeks! Then I had to print another 20! I didn’t want to sit with an oversupply of books in my garage thinking they wouldn’t sell. But my readers wanted real books and didn’t want to buy the e-book on Amazon. I understand — it took me a while to warm up to e-books myself and reading them on my kindle was a pain at first but once I did, it’s truly a valuable alternative.
Reviews of Sydney’s Boxer were phenomenal! I received a few five-star reviews that boosted my ego while other readers didn’t like my writing. As a new Author it’s ultimately how I grow, and I must accept criticism knowing it’s my first published novel and I can only improve moving forward.
Besides there was no time to mope around. I was already writing my second novel and I’m well on my way into the second half of my second book. Hence me not being active in sending out newsletters. Writing can be all consuming and with a full-time job, I find it hard to balance both, but I try my best to get a story out even though it may take a longer than anticipated.
So, what’s your plans for the holidays? My family is going on a road trip to Gauteng, South Africa to see our extended families over Christmas. We haven’t seen them in over eight years, and we cannot wait to spend some quality time with them.
Whatever it is that you are doing or are planning to do, I wish you and your family a hearty and blessed Christmas if you are celebrating. Stay safe and let’s see each other in the 2023.
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