This is the week where the little munchkin is home. So not much is going to happen, especially on days that wife is working. Not an ideal situation for an author who missed his editing goals so badly that he should hand in his bottle of bourbon, 3 pens, 2 notebooks, his naming book, and beg the Author Gods for forgiveness. That might be a little dramatic.
The truth is that things kept coming up and I still have just under 100 pages to edit, which is also 6 chapters. On a good day, I can edit 3 chapters and those aren’t going to be coming very often. My hope is to whittle it into nothing at nights, so I can still dive into Book 13 when the break is over. Still, who knows what will happen? Seems one challenge of the author life is keeping on schedule and allowing for delays. I haven’t exactly gotten the hang of that.
By Kayla Matt
Before I get to the main event, a little extra news on a few things. Some time in the future there will be another round of character pictures from Kayla Matt. She’s done a lot of great art for Legends of Windemere over the years and I’m looking forward to seeing more. Especially since Dariana gets a turn. Beyond that, Jason is going to try to get some thumbnails and sketches to me for the next Windemere book. Thinking of an April release. Without Ichabod Brooks being published, I have some extra wiggle room to release books. The plan is still to release Books 10-12 this year, which would mean 2017 is the final grouping of the Windemere books. I keep saying this because I’m still trying to wrap my head around it and decide on what will be next. As usual, so many choices and my mind keeps drifting to things. Specifically, what to do in the final book and how the superhero thing is still a mess.
Anyway, the big news is that, barring any delays, I’m still aiming to release Crossing Bedlam this weekend. The post is in draft format while I wait for the cover art and Amazon links. The email to the volunteers is just waiting for the HTML file to be made from that post. I’ve got Lloyd Tweets in my head and will be starting slow with the marketing. Money is low, so I’m going to be cutting back on the pricey ones. Going to treat this book as if I have a small budget and I’m just starting out. Of course, the big question is about reviews. I have a few people who want to buy and read the book immediately because they love the sound of Lloyd. But I don’t know if that’s definitely going to lead to reviews. Not to mention this is a new genre for me and is a lot more adult, which seems to mean not every adult will enjoy it.
Think I’m just getting paranoid and nervous while I wait for the final pieces. Finished the keywords recently and double-checked my blurbs. The waiting is always what gets to me during these things.
So, what’s the plan for the week?
- Finish editing The Spirit Well.
- Publish Crossing Bedlam.
- Promote Crossing Bedlam.
- Go see ‘Deadpool’ and have lunch.
- Just realize that I forgot about the laundry.
- Prep posts for March, which will be laid back to some extent.
- Goof off with the boy.
- Stay warm because it’s freezing here.
Legends of Windemere 
I must have missed the part where your wife is employed once more. That’s great. It easy to tell you to relax and let it all happen. It’s harder to do. I’m nervous that no one will like my new efforts. And this happens to me every single time out. I don’t commit myself publicly to a specific date these days. There are always delays, they could be artwork, beta reads, personal interruptions, and more. Once the beta reads are back, my edits are finished, and I have cover art, then I start hitting it harder. I think we get familiar with the process, but it never gets easier. I’ll post a review, but I might not get to it in the first few weeks.
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She isn’t really. Sorry. It’s mostly temp work if she gets it, but she had several interviews last week.
It’s funny how so many people think it’s so easy to relax on command. Sure I could do it with the help of medications or something. 🙂 The nervousness is aggravating and then the delays make it worse. My stomach is in a few knots already because I really want to release this book and get everything out tomorrow before chaos ensues during the week. Another reason we’re hitting a matinee tomorrow.
A review even a month later is appreciated. It really does feel like it’s become harder to get them unless you join a group or convince people to do it. Thinking not many want to take the time unless they’re pissed or enamored.
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I never relax, and understand completely. I continually critique myself and try to improve. The camping was a great break from some of the stress, and I’m looking forward to this summer. Reviews remain a mystery. I’ve even had other self-publishers tell me they enjoyed a book, but they never posted a review. They, of all people, should understand.
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I’ve yet to take a vacation or step away without coming back more stressed than when I left. I think I’ve got too many things going on, so stuff builds up when I’m gone. Need to reach a point where I have more control of the pace. I’ve heard that review thing too from self-published authors. I always leave a review if I read something indie, but my dead snail reading speed tends to cause issues.
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I’m the same way. Maybe I need meditation or something. I used to read like a racehorse, now it’s a slower process. I like silence when I read, and those times are rare in my life.
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With me, I start to fall asleep after a while even if the book is exciting. Probably comes from all those early years of read before bed.
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Charles, sounds as if you have some down time included in your schedule. About the worry thing. Give yourself the okay to worry. In fact say let’s worry about everything, all at once, all the time. You’d be surprised how that works in reverse…you stop worrying! You’ll get it all done! Smile! Relax! Have a great weekend! Happy Valentine’s Day! 💛 Elizabeth
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Not so much down time scheduled, but the responsibility of being a parent during a school break. Since I fell behind on editing, I might not be relaxing as much as I’d wanted, but I never planned it since the kid isn’t big on entertaining himself. Enjoy your weekend too.
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Sounds like a good plan.
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Fingers crossed that it works. Might come down to the wire.
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You always get paranoid which is a good sign.
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Keeps the heart pumping and the blood flowing, I guess.
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It is a good luck sign at launch
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The weather sounds awful 😦 I hope you won’t get cabin fever…
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Ellespeth
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I hope I don’t go stir crazy either. The only storm is on Tuesday and the weather should be a little warmer. Still, you can’t do much outside during the winter.
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