Wednesday, August 7, 2013

IWSG August 2013

The weeks and months are just flying by! Here we are again at the first Wednesday and the Insecure Writer's Support Group (I'm currently #168), brainchild of the super Alex Cavanaugh. Don't forget that the last installment of the Cassa Trilogy will be released on September 17th, 2013!

This month I wanted to give a few shout outs to some people that have helped me on this writing journey by giving me encouragement when I needed it most. Here they are in no particular order...

Michael Offutt, science fiction writer and blogger. His first two novels are out so look them up. Slipstream and Oculus. There are a few more works by Michael on his Goodreads Author Page. He's taking the month of August off of blogging, but you should check him out when he comes back in September.

CD Coffelt, AKA Huntress. There was a time I didn't realize these two great people were one and the same, sad but true. She is one of my critique partners and the owner of Unicorn Bell. There are so many times that's she's saved me from a complete and total emotional break down. Her debut novel The Magic Withheld, comes out August 30th!

Marcy Hatch is another great lady I've met by working over at UB. Her debut novel, Paradise is coming soon from WiDo Publishing. She really knows how to give back to the writing community. Her "First Impressions" is a regular feature on her blog. You should check it out.

While on my trip to TN, I met a new writer. Her cover reveal is today and I'd like to send all of you her way. Cindy Ray Hale has a Facebook Page and a website. I believe she might have even signed up for IWSG, let's welcome her!

Who has motivated you to keep writing?

And...

I finally got my first sales report. The best way to describe my feeling about it is...pleasantly surprised. However, now that I have numbers the insecure side of me says "well, that's everyone I've ever met so the numbers will go down the next six months."

I tried to kick myself for that. Stay positive! Right? I don't even know how these numbers compare to other sales, but I'll take it.

The cycle was Jan 1, 2013-June 30, 2013 (The Magic Wakes came out in print on Feb 19th.)
E-book sales--255
Distributor Sales (print)--118

Now I have a base line for the future. Time to get some more stories out there to keep sales happening instead of dwindling down to nothing.


18 comments:

  1. How lovely to get your first payment for your book. That makes it all worthwhile. LOL - no, you'll get more and more as word gets out. Thanks for your recommendations today.

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    1. Yes, must keep those dominoes falling! Thanks for stopping by.

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  2. Pleasantly surprised is good though! Now all the people you don't know need to find your book. And my list of people who've encouraged me would be very long...

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    1. There are so many more on my list too. It's wonderful to have so many people who believe in you enough to work with you, isn't it?

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  3. Congratulations. That is awesome news.
    If I mentioned everyone that has helped me the music would start and I'd be escorted off the stage while trying to shout out a few more names. This is a great community and there is always someone who is willing to step forward and help out.

    Best of luck on the next six months.

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  4. All sales are good. It's hard to stay positive, but do your best. Remember you're not alone. Lots of great writers/people helped encourage me. Hugs to them all. And people keep inspring me.

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  5. The list of people who encouraged me would stretch around the block a few times! I mean really, the writing community is super fantastic, and i couldn't imagine trying to do this on my own. Writers rule!

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    1. Amen, ditto, hear hear! The writing community is the best!

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  6. My IWSG post this month was about people who help you continue writing too! Although writing is generally an individual activity, the inspiration generally comes from others. Also, we need others' opinions to help us make our writing awesome (critique-ers, editors, etc.) I both love and hate a good critic!

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    1. I'm with you on the love hate relationship of a good critique. Heading to read your post now.

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  7. I think writing is hard because it is solitary. No one can do it for you. It is wonderful that you have this support system. Congratulations on your book sales. I am certain that your numbers will improve. Stay positive!

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    1. I'm ready for a bit more solitude right now. Why does school have to start so late here?!

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  8. Your numbers might go down and then back up. It still surprises me that my first book is selling at a decent clip. Who are these people and why are they reading my book (that's my first thought) and then I'm like, 'oh yeah, I'm a writer. They don't necessarily have to be my friend or know me!"

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    1. I love getting a good review from people I don't know on amazon. It shocks me and then gives me hope because they don't HAVE to say nice things, you know? :)

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  9. Congrats. Your sales can only improve, right!

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  10. Great IWSG post...I need to remember to help those who encouraged me to start and keep going.

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  11. Congrats and nice of you thank those who helped and inspired you.

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  12. I don't really know anything about the numbers either, but I think 255 is great! You'll keep doing great, you've got motivation and drive in bounds!

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