The Year of Living Authorly: Post 11 Juggling Many Balls

I have to say at this point I’m feeling it.

It started when I was working on The Pawn of Isis and The Vessel of Ra came back for edits. My editor was very fast, and I turned the edits around very fast, both times. What I was not used to was the idea of writing two projects at one time. Toss!

I was recently, happily, asked to participate in an anthology for which I must produce a themed short story. Yes! Toss!

I am diligently speeding through and enjoying writing The Pawn of Isis for the 4th time. My 3rd revision didn’t do what I wanted, and I know how to write it better now. I wish I’d known that before, but hey, growth as a writer! Toss!

Oh, hey! My book comes out September 12th. I’m going to conventions, and I’m needing to get some book tours and events set up. I need to change my email server because the friend who’s been supporting me is filling up. Toss!

Here’s an organized list of things I still think I need to do to get ready for book support:

1. Find out about ARCs.
2. Send ARCs out to advanced readers for blurbs and reviews.
3. Arrange merchandising.
4. Arrange freebies.
5. Arrange book launches.
6. Arrange appearances.
7. Keep going to conventions
8. Keep track of all of this for accounting purposes.

Toss! Toss! Toss! Toss! Toss! Toss! Toss! and Toss!

And finally, online support. This blog, those podcasts, and that other blog. And maybe a blog tour? I dunno, maybe. And a newsletter. And….

I want all these complications, make no mistake. But it might be a good idea to make a note for you as you look over these to realize, yes, these are things that you might encounter as a debut author. Just thinking about that.

Next up: I start work on my list of advanced readers.

Author: Catherine Schaff-Stump

Catherine Schaff-Stump writes fiction for children and young adults. Her most recent book, The Vessel of Ra, is the first book in the Klaereon Scroll series. She is currently working on its sequel, as well as penning the middle grade adventures of Abigail Rath, monster hunter. View all posts by Catherine Schaff-Stump