The hardest part of being an author? Marketing. Every author has had some dingbat tell them “I should write a book.” Good thing most of those books don’t get written; was the world really clamoring to hear Tales From The Construction Site? Drama of the Divorced Dentist? How I Murdered My Boss And […]
“Dinner!” Eight hours of slow-roasted deliciousness called roast pork was now being shredded – and was calling my name. Our whole house smelled of barbecue and fresh baked yeast rolls. “Savvy, tell mommy to come eat.” My four year old daughter walks in. “Were you calling mommy?” I swallowed my eighth or ninth sample and […]
Congratulations! You are now a published author. Revel in that, even if Oprah doesn’t call right away. Most people never do write their great American Novel, and most of the ones that do, don’t publish it. You did. That’s significant. People who have never met you will part with their money and buy your […]
The day you publish your book is special – and so is the day before that. Tomorrow is a special day. Tomorrow, your book comes out – you will be a published author. People who don’t know you, who have never met you, and who may never meet you, are going to buy your book […]
Authors are, as a group, unorganized and easily distracted. Me, included. After I find them additional hours a day to write, they fill that time up with nonwriting. Emails, Facebook, Twitter, online writing course, articles. Cat videos… First, write. ONLY when you have the writing finished for the day, then and only then do […]
We put up a lot of Christmas trees and Christmas decorations, so the whole house gets rearranged for a while. Then, after the trees come down and the boxes get stored, and the furniture goes back, and the cleaners get a chance to harvest any stray needles, we commence to putting the littler objects back […]
I don’t have time to write! Sure you do, Binkie. A book a year may have worked for a booze-addled Hemingway, but times have changed. There’s the interwebs! Plus, you’re no Hemingway. And alcoholism turned out to be a bad thing. But we all have the same 24 hours each day. That’s plenty of time […]
You’re an author! You made one of those book thingies, and it is actually selling. Woo hoo! Now you’ll occasionally have to mail a copy of your book to somebody. Like, say, for Grandma’s birthday. After all, she wanted to buy your book, it’s just that money is tight. She can’t afford books and her […]
Should You Participate In A Book Fair? Three Points To Consider Book fairs are allegedly great for networking, meeting readers, and yes, making money. Here are some things to consider before reserving a booth. Do I actually want to talk to people? Nope. Writers generally tend to be an introverted bunch. Look at them sideways […]
So we had a fun Super Bowl: Michele and Savvy went shopping and missed half the game, and I made some homemade salsa and watched the game at home by myself. I didn’t mind; no chance of having to play Candy Land in the middle of the game. Plus, the Broncos got blown out, and […]
DAN ALATORRE