Denouement - Post Script - FTB

So… I set out to write this blog to chronicle my adventure as an independent author self-publishing her first book. Some might say a cautionary tale of a wide-eyed optimist taking her shot at flying where angels fear to tread…Or some other dramatic hook that will get YOU, dear reader the info you are no doubt feverishly searching for as your book uploads to your self-publishing site of choice, or when you should be searching for that obscure note in history that you want to reference in your book but suddenly are having second thoughts, “Did I make that up? Or did my big brother tell me that just to screw with my head?”In either case, you want quick answers to help you decide which of the many forks in the road are worth your time, and which are just a glorified time waster that is akin to bubblegum.  Almost satisfying in the moment – but really, zero nutritional value that is rotting your teeth.So. I hope I answered some of your questions regarding the choices I made to get my book out.

I have a few more promised updates to make good on, before I go – so here they are:

I will still try:Selling my book to “entities”: My book is memoir, and getting good reviews for the ways I articulated a tricky and mostly misunderstood facet of contemporary life. And there are many “entities” (Health Care groups and organizations) schools, and human resource departments.) who will buy books like mine in bulk. I’m researching those as we speak.Marketing my book through professional periodicals and websites. Many of these are connected to the above entities, and may make someone else’s job easier (social workers, HR case managers, etc.) and therefore more valuable.I will continue to use my social media channels – I had to let go of the paid service, which meant taking on the daily posts which is harder than I thought – not a choice I made willingly but one of necessity.

I will and am pushing my book and myself with my spouse in as many ways as we can think of.  The thinking being, my book is the calling card and you’d be surprised how huge a deal this really is.  We, as authors get so close to our work that we can forget that the writing of books is still deemed a gift and a skill that many don’t have or don’t wish to cultivate – so it is an accomplishment, worthy of someone else’s time and energy – People do want to hear us speak about our book and the subject therein. Marcy and I have spoken to Google, Cal State Northridge and San Diego City College in the last months alone.This month we’ve been invited (because of my book) to Seattle and we’ll be interviewed by the NBC affiliate KING5 TV’s “New Day Northwest”, NPR affiliate KUOW’s “The Record” two podcasts and we’ll be guests of the Mayor at a reception celebrating Pride. The next night, we’ll be speaking at the largest Public Speaking venue in Washington “Town Hall Seattle” and signing books and the next night we’ll be among the main stage presenters at TransPride.All - because of the book and for the book.  We’ll give away books at the New Day Northwest taping, and have as many old school signings as we can squeeze in while we’re there. In other words – we’ve got both feet on the gas.

But we’re not stopping there.  We recorded the audiobook and are editing it as we speak – with luck and few more sleepless nights, we’ll be able to announce that it’s ready for sale by our Seattle trip – it won’t be easy but it’s a deadline worth shooting for. My thinking is, the two versions sell each other in an odd alchemical reaction – many fans of each format enjoy the other – maybe it’s familiarity? Whatever the reason, we’re going for it. I’ve got a guy (my brother Ronny) and when we can get him through family thingies (he’s a dad and husband and life can get in the way of “Free Studio time and effort”) but… we work well together and the end product will be something we are proud of.  Marcy is the director, my brother-in-law Doug the recording engineer and Ronny the Producer and master/mix engineer – it’s a family affair.

The website is still our best engine for promotion and the synergy between it and the social media channels yields a 5 star review about once every two weeks – that and the constant reminder to “share with all your friends” does get results even tho’ you have to exercise that sales muscle that gets you past that feeling that somehow selling your valuable, worthwhile, and (don’t take your own word for it – you have 5 star reviews) good property is somehow not worth someone else’s money or time.This is your baby darn it – and baby will walk one day, and then she’ll run and then, she’ll eventually fly.  Give her that chance.

So, with those last words, what I’ gearing up to do is say goodbye to this blog. Writer to writer – first time author to author, I’ve taken some bumps that maybe you won’t have to – but you’ll have your own, and that’s why we did this right?  To do it our way, as my writing partner Val says, to write what we want, without asking anyone’s permission to tell our stories" 

I have, and will continue to chronicle our efforts on this website and you’ll be able to continue to study our journey and learn from our success without my commentary mucking up your observations – but I’m always available by email – I love interacting with fellow writers and fans. It’s a perk that I never saw coming.

I will be instead launching a new blog on the Zuzubean website and its own corner of the web.  I need to get back to generating content (what? She means writing. But isn’t this writing? It’s more like reporting what’s going on in her head. Isn’t that what she always does? GIRLS! Can you take it outside; I’m trying to finish this blog here!)

Sorry sometimes they can get so distracted…  Where was I?  Oh yeah, I’m launching a new blog that will pick-up where my book left off.  It will be directed toward a wider audience and take on the issues out there in the world today.  I’m calling it, Raised By Wolves.
I hope to see you there.

PS – thank you for hanging in there with me, I’m deeply grateful for your attention, and support.
And one more thing.
Writers write, right?
Right.
​I mean, write!