When a writer decides to become a published author, there’s a lot going on. Sooo many questions. Sooo much angst. Truthfully? That never ends, I’m afraid. Lee Child, a NYT best-selling author of the Jack Reacher thriller series once said

Writing is showbusiness for shy people. That’s how I see it.

He has a point. Being a successful writer is as much about selling yourself and your story as it is writing a good story. Of course, if you don’t have a good story, you aren’t going to get much notice.  The problem comes from being said shy person. I’d love to just write books and let someone else go out there and be all crazy cool on social media. Should I admit the thought of it sorta gives me hives? Yeah. Seriously. You have to sell your words. You have to sell yourself. It starts when you decided to get an agent. Or just go straight to an editor. Gotta have a thick skin because rejections are par for the course and they stack up quick. With self-publishing, many are deciding to by-pass that particular emotional mine field and go straight to the readers. Except. You have to sell yourself. And your book. All by yourself. If you are really savvy and smart and way too cool for school, you round up a posse aka street team aka fan club. *sigh* Refer back to that whole shy thing.

Anyway, I found this nugget from the Universe to be heartening.

Silver, if at first you don’t succeed, it only means you’re getting closer, cooler, hotter, better, “badder,” and more awesome.

Tallyho,
The Universe
©www.tut.com

Silver, choose to see it this way. Choose to see everything this way. You’re quite the crazy cat, dudette.

Gee, I wish I was getting closer, cooler (especially THIS summer!), hotter (at least as far as book sales go), badder and more awesome. I think I can claim the badder title. But I shall take heart. I may never make a best-seller list because marketing is my Kryptonite! And that’s okay. A loyal few who want my stories can also define success. See, the definition all depends on each of us. Now get out there and be successful! Cuz y’all are totally cooler, hotter, better, badder, and more awesome! Me? I’m just that crazy cat chillin’ in the corner. How are you chillin’ out these days?