As a newer author, some days it feels overwhelming to think about the ever-growing to-do list. With all the marketing, business, administration, and other to-dos, when do we find time to WRITE?
Sometimes just thinking about my to-do list makes me feel queasy and like I need to lie down for a nap. And when opportunity knocks on those days, it’s tempting to say no. But sometimes, you just have to say YES!
Back in June, I was hustling to complete book 4 in my sweet romance series. And on top of that, I had the joy of hosting my eleven-year-old great-niece as she attended a creative writing camp. Things were extra busy.
Shortly before this, my hometown library asked if they could create some Facebook posts about my books. Of course, I said yes – that didn’t require any effort on my part, and it was great exposure.
Well, a local newspaper saw that post and reached out to ask if I would write an article for the paper about myself and my books. (It’s a small town, y’all!) I knew this was a great idea, but (gulp!) write an article for the newspaper? About myself? Did I mention I’m an overthinker?
After a few minutes of debating, I said yes. And added a task to the growing to-do list. I wasn’t given a hard due date, so…procrastination set in.
While my great-niece was in her day camp, I found a nearby library and hung out while I waited to pick her up. Without a Wi-Fi password I was able to FOCUS. I wrote the article.
They published it the week of July 4th and I was thrilled. I was hoping that maybe a book club would see it and invite me for a chat (that hasn’t happened – yet). Seeing the domino effect of the FB post leading to the newspaper article, I was hoping that one more domino would fall.
And it did!
About a week after the article, I was contacted by the organizer of an author fair at a local winery. It would be their first author fair. Again, I said yes!
That author fair was in early October and being the first, it was modest. There were 12 authors and one indie bookshop in attendance. By my unscientific count, there were between 200 and 300 guests over two days. Six of those were my family members. Thanks, Fam!
Not a huge crowd, but well worth it. I sold 49 books! And I put an informational postcard into every person’s hand that got close enough to me. I’ve seen several newsletter sign-ups from these postcards! (The postcard had a call to action – sign up for my newsletter to get a free novella – and the book cover and tag line for each novel).
I met a couple of authors in my genre at the fair and am working on some newsletter swaps with them, as well.
I’m still waiting for a book club invite from this chain of dominos and I’ll keep reminding the universe of that request.
By the way, this blog post request was part of that domino chain, too.
So, say “YES!” to the next request that you get and see where the universe takes you!
Kasey Kennedy loves reading books and writing the stories in her head. She has a B.A. in English from Southern Illinois University; is a member of the Chicago Writers Association; Chicago North Romance Writers Association; and a 2021 participant in StoryStudio Chicago’s Novel in a Year program. Learn more at https://www.kasey-kennedy.com
We've got a whole slew of deals from some of our friends and partners!
Most of these deals are for a limited time only (and some don’t begin until Black Friday or Cyber Monday), so keep an eye on the dates listed to make sure you get the best deal.
We have tried/regularly use a lot of these products, but not all of them. And please note, some of these are affiliate links, which does not change your pricing, but I might get a little thank you if you purchase.
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I haven’t had the opportunity to try out everything on this list, so I'm not officially recommending any of these products or services (beyond ProWritingAid, FirstEditing, PublisherRocket, Fictionary, and PublishDrive – of which I use all of and love!) Also, some of the links above are affiliate links, and some are are not.
I hope you find something that works for your needs!
Every author needs an editor. No matter what you’re writing, no matter how great your prose is, having an editor is a must.
But hiring an editor can be complicated. Where do you find one? How do you figure out a working relationship? How do you know they really know what they’re talking about?
JoEllen Nordstrom founded FirstEditing to make writers’ lives easier. She understood the importance of finding the right editor for authors at all stages of their book and careers. She created FirstEditing as a simple, elegant solution to connecting them.
I’m so grateful that FirstEditing has again joined the Women in Publishing Summit as a Silver sponsor. We love their company for creating a more connected world, and we appreciate their support!
What does FirstEditing do?
FirstEditing provides professional Editing Services for fiction and nonfiction writers. They have served over 50,000 authors since 1994!
FirstEditing is a one-stop shop to connect writers with editors. Rather than needing to search out your own editor on the dozens of freelance websites out there, First Editing makes hiring the right person for your work simple.
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How can I learn more about FirstEditing?
Head to the FirstEditing website to learn more about the services they provide for authors. Be sure to take advantage of their special offer:
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Come meet JoEllen Nordstrom and ask all of your questions at the Women in Publishing Summit!
The 2024 Women in Publishing Summit is excited to announce that Speak Write Play is joining us as a Silver Sponsor this year.
Speak Write Play offers many services for self-publishing authors including editing, proofreading, and translation services. They have skilled content writers, editors, and translators. They work to maintain your voice in order to communicate with your audience effectively. It doesn't matter if you're a first-time author or a seasoned independent author – their services are for everyone!
They provide editing and proofreading services that will ensure that every piece of your content presents you and your brand in the best light. This includes blog posts, articles, newsletters, and more. They strive to help you connect with your audience through content.
And as if that wasn't enough, they also offer translation services. If you're looking to have your book translated to French or Spanish, they have skilled translators that can make it happen.
SWP has an amazing offer for our conference attendees and community as well. Our community will receive 20% off manuscript editing and French and Spanish book translation services!
We'll have an exclusive webinar with Speak Write Play in 2024 so you can learn all about their services! We have heard great feedback from our community members who have worked with Ethleen and her team!
Join Alexa Bigwarfe as she celebrates the 10-year anniversary of Write Publish Sell with guests Raewyn Sangari and Cayce LaCorte, as they unveil their exciting plans for the future of the Women in Publishing Summit, diving into the challenges and triumphs of Alexa's journey, and the power of helping authors and publishers succeed.
One of the core values of the Women in Publishing Summit is the importance of inclusivity and representation in the publishing industry. We need to incorporate diverse voices and marginalized narratives, showcasing a wide array of experiences and perspectives. It is so important to us that we are facilitating such inclusion and advocating for underrepresented voices in the publishing domain.
Memorable Moments:
00:08:43 – Evolution of Kat Biggie Press Alexa discusses the evolution of Kat Biggie Press from operating as a vanity press to a hybrid press, where they kept authors under their umbrella but allowed them to retain their royalties. She also highlights the need for ongoing support for authors after their books are published, leading to the expansion of services offered by Kat Biggie Press.
00:15:25 – Favorite Projects All three reflect on their favorite projects, including memoirs, children's books, and novels. They mention books that have had a profound impact, such as “Navigating the Unknown” and “Surviving the Unimaginable.”
00:18:05 – Working on Different Genres Alexa and her team talk about their experiences working on different genres, including entrepreneurship books, YA books, thrillers, and paranormal romance. They discuss the challenges of marketing novels and the joy of bringing different stories to life.
00:21:07 – The Healing Power of Writing Writing can impact mental health and help individuals process their emotions. Alexa announces the upcoming release of a grief journal for grieving mothers and expresses her excitement about its potential impact.
00:29:19 – The Birth of the Women in Publishing Summit Alexa shares her journey of starting the Women in Publishing Summit after attending a conference with no women speakers. The support from male colleagues and the timing of the MeToo movement fueled the creation of the summit, focusing on creating a supportive environment for women in the publishing industry.
00:31:30 – The Importance of Mindset and Networking The summit goes beyond just writing and publishing, emphasizing the importance of mindset and networking for women in the industry. Discussions focus on the unique challenges faced by women in writing, publishing, and selling books, creating a supportive and empowering community.
00:46:24 – Future Plans and Training Programs Alexa shares her vision for the future, including more conferences, events, and webinars. They plan to create training programs for assistants working with authors to ensure a baseline understanding of the publishing industry.
