Darkspell celebrated its true launch November 3rd, after all the marketing and promoting and shout outs and interviews I've done since, I didn't feel like a real author until my first panel and reading and book signing at LTUE! Then I had another book signing the 11th (Barnes and Noble), and then another the 18th (Eborn Books).
Whoa. Talk about elation! Yea, one will not get rich by book signings alone or standing before an audience of storylovers as you read aloud in character, but guess what you are doing? You are sharing yourself with everyone. They get to know you on a personal level and are soon drawn to your books!
Though I am still trying to talk myself into public appearances, I find that I love interacting with people face to face--those of you who know me already know I love doing that! I love making friends and helping them out. Just as readers can sense your sincerity within the written word of your pages, so they can in person.
Guess what? I feel like a real author and I am loving it.
What have you done to make your goals feel real?
I bet you do really well with personal appearances! I'm still not fond of them though.
ReplyDeleteAlex, I do once I am there, but I sure fret over them before hand!
DeleteSo happy for you!! I'm glad it's all working out.
ReplyDeleteI did my first official author speak at a middle school last month. That made me feel so alive and like a true writer. It was really cool.
I'm so glad it went fabulous for you! Are you planning another sometime soon?
DeleteYou are a real author. Congratulations on all your succuss.
ReplyDeleteThank you! *hugs*
DeleteYay for you!! I know I've said this before but seriously! Onwards and ever more upwards for you! Take care
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Thank you, I need to bear that in mind always. ;)
DeleteThat is very exciting, albeit scary to me. I am not a big fan of public speaking.
ReplyDeleteKuddos to you for doing it and enjoying it!
Oh, Susan, it is a scary thing still, but once I'm there, it's great. Anticipation bites the worst. Ugh
DeleteYay! Great feeling, huh? I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my books. What a thrill that will be!
ReplyDeleteYippee! Angie, that is one of the most awesomest feelings! Congrats, girl! <3
DeleteWow! It never occurred to me that you might not yet feel like a real author even though you've got a book out there. Glad you finally "feel it" and you're enjoying the experience!
ReplyDeleteIt's silly, really, but true! :D
DeleteI haven't done a book signing yet, but you never know...something for the future, maybe.
ReplyDeleteYou will LOVE it--just remember to be yourself and don't be afraid to strike up conversations. Most importantly, have fun.
DeleteYou're doing wonderful things, getting out in the public eye. Brave stuff if I may say so myself. I'm still "a writer". I suppose I have a ways to go before I get to feel a step or two beyond that.
ReplyDeletePlease enjoy every step of your pathway to published because once you are, it's an entirely different animal.
DeleteI'm dropping in from the AtoZ Challenge - bonjour!
ReplyDeleteBeing able to say, "I wrote, edited or blogged today," makes me feel like a real author. Like I'm actually working on it ;)
*waving* Hi, Jenna! Oh, yes, that is certainly part of authordom! ;0
DeleteI've got a reading lined up at a games convention in a couple of weeks. That'll feel pretty real!
ReplyDeleteHow cool is that? I'm so happy for you! I had a reading at LTUE, but no assistant, I wish I had because it was near a disaster when I went over my time from setting up my props. *sigh*
DeleteWow! That's so cool. Congrats on the book. I think it is awesome how much promoting you're doing. I've found that the books that are my favorite (and that I share with the most people) are the ones that I've met the author personally.
ReplyDeleteAs for what I've done lately to make my goals feel real: I finished the latest edit of my novel.
Congratulations, that's such a great feeling! That's such a big thing. <3
DeleteHi Elizabeth, I enjoyed reading this post. My spouse Kathy (the Education Tipster) has given readings at libraries and sold a couple of books at each. We went to Atlanta (I'm her chauffeur and helper) and she spoke to a big crowd there. Kathy now has the appellation "Award Winning Author" (Childrens literary classic seal of approval).
ReplyDeleteLike me, you seem to be a one-on-one type. I think you can get used to public speaking.
I am happy for your success (I know, its hard to get rich in this racket)with "Darkspell".
Thank you! Congratulations to Kathy, I'm so happy for her. It isn't easy, as you've seen. It takes heart to be a published author. <3
DeleteCongratulations! How exciting. I look forward to the day when I do my first book signing. For now, just writing makes me feel good. Sitting down at my computer and having the story flow out of me. That feeling, to me, is price less.
ReplyDeleteJessica, nothing can ever beat the sheer joy of free fall writing! I love that!
DeleteThats's amazing, it must be nerve-wracking to do but great to talk about your work with readers:))
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