I published my second book on Friday. Unlike last year, I’m trying to congratulate myself for this instead of immediately moving to the next thing (promoting, book tour, etc.) I did that this weekend by going out on Saturday, then getting sick and taking a forced break for the rest of the weekend. I guess my body needed it, so I’m grateful I had the time to rest and recuperate.
I’m proud that I’ve finished this book, and I’m happy I took the time necessary to rewrite it. I think it’s a more authentic representation of where I am now. The thing about writing a book on my mental state—that can change during the editing process, and I think I went through a lot of personal growth between when I thought I was finished and what I’ve actually published. I’m sure I’ll look at it in six months and I’ll have grown even more, but right now, I’m truly happy with it.
If you want to check out my new book, here’s the link. If you want to buy it from me personally, I’m working on getting some tour dates up—to name a few, I’ll be in Milwaukee and Chicago at the end of September. I will be in San Francisco in November to visit my brother, who just moved there, so I’m trying to find a place to sign there as well. I’ll keep you updated on that as soon as I find a place (probably a coffee shop, I’m guessing). Then, back to Milwaukee for another signing with a few really cool local authors. Most of my tour this year is planned around events, shows, or people I’d like to see in each city, which so far, has been a really fun way to plan, and I’m excited to see where it takes me in the next year.
I’m trying to take my time this year. The beauty of being an independent author is I can set my own schedule, and I’m trying to remind myself to pace myself so I can continue to do this without going broke or burning out. The downside is it can be difficult to book signings without a publisher/agent, but I’m working on learning how to market myself while still staying independent, which is important to me. I’m trying to take more time to learn how to actually build a successful tour, and I’m trying to make connections along the way. It’s a process, especially as an independent author, but I’m confident I’ll find a way to do it. Probably ten years from now, but luckily I have time, and I’m having fun in the meantime.
It’s possible this will change and I will find an awesome publisher or agent to help me out, but at least for now, I really love the independence, even if it is the more difficult route.
I’m going to cut this one short a bit because I’m still not feeling 100%. I have to work tomorrow, and it’s gonna be a busy one.
But before I git gone—the album I’m listening to. This time, it’s a new one for me (finally!)
Dead Horses: My Mother The Moon (or buy it here). This album warms my soul. Each song feels like a story told around the fireside during a fall camping trip, where the air is brisk, where everyone huddles closer to the fire, which somehow makes conversation flow more honestly and freely. They’re also a Milwaukee band, so I’ve had the pleasure of meeting them briefly, enough to know that they’re good people doing good work. I’ll try not to review these albums by the people who make them so much, but I always like to know if the band I’m supporting is authentic. I’ll add that into reviews as well, when I know it first hand, I guess. They’re good people.
They’re opening up for The Who next weekend at Alpine Valley (event info here), and I’ll be there in lawn seats. Maybe I’ll see you there?