This morning I awoke to 300 emails, even though I'm on digest. I skim the digests, but all I see in the subject line are: excerpt, promo, contest, new release. OMG, it seems that everyone who was a "reader" when I first started this venture is now an author. I spent several hours yesterday on Facebook and anything I posted was lost in the avalanche of book promos. I pictured authors everywhere huddled at their computers, vying desperately for the attention of a "reader." Yes, I know authors read, too. I do, but I'm looking to tap into someone who isn't competition. Is that selfish? I don't think so. All who have books available are hoping to find the mother lode of readers and achieve a best-selling status. Honestly, it's more like looking for the proverbial needle in a haystack.
When I got to my individual emails, I found the usual few word posts: Thank you, I'm sorry, I forgot, I'd like to blog, put me down, happy birthday, happy holidays, condolences, and of course, I'm blogging at ______today, please stop by.
As much as I want to support my fellow authors, if I visited every blog or attend every FB event to which I've been invited, I would never get anything else done. So how logical am I if I expect my fellow authors to visit mine?
I've already given up Farmville and most other games on Facebook, taken a leave of absence from my critique group, gone digest on most of my yahoo loops, and tried to find a new avenue of promotion on the Amazon Communities, only to be beaten to a pulp by some of the folks there who are very territorial. It seems there are those who don't like authors who talk about their own work. What's up with that? If I don't, who will? I still crave Farmville, but I'm staying strong. I imagine my crops have all withered and died, and I've probably been reported for cruelty to my animals. I'm sure my farm is generally in bad repair, but there's no way I can have a look without wanting to fix everything. At least I kicked the habit on my own and didn't even need counseling.
Honestly, the towel is looking pretty good lately. I've considered throwing it in a few times, or at least waving a white flag, but I'm too invested in my love of writing to quit. I keep visiting shared links and viewing success stories written by authors who had sold hundreds if not thousands of copies on Kindle. I want to post that announcement just once.
I have several works out now, so maybe one of them will be my ticket to stardom... or at least a few sales. :) You can find them all on my Amazon page, and I'm always working on something new. Coming soon, The Pendant from Books We Love, Sarah's Soul from Books we Love (as soon as I finish it), and I'm working now on Desperation's Bride.
Thanks so much for posting my gobbligook. I can't tell you how much you're appreciated.
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