Thoughts and Updates: Monday (5/26) Edition

It’s been rough, not knowing how to market.

Check it out on Amazon: https://a.co/d/bOrI2Jj

While marketing my book is not coming easily to me. I have many people who are tying to help me. And I’m attempting to take their advice. But it’s hard to figure out what is both the right thing to do and the right thing for me.

@mm_hurley
1000 follower party!! #giveaway for a celebration. guidelines 1. must be following me currently 2. repost this video 3. tag your favorite indie author in the comments! 4. must be a usa resident. (sorry had to add. this one) thank for getting me so close to 1K. #indieauthor #BookCommunity #Bookish #selfpublishing
♬ original sound – MM Hurley 📚 Author

So I did hit 1000 followers on my TikTok account. I’m baffled by that, but feeling grateful! So very grateful. My giveaway is closed and I’m going to be posting the winners today on that account. (sweet I got that done before the blog post, so check out the winner video at the bottom.)

I feel like I’m stuck in the process. A normal feeling for me as I get that way frequently. I just have to take a beat, step back, look at the big picture, and move again. So that is what I am doing tonight. Taking a beat, updating the blog, and looking at the big picture. Here is hoping I can move again.

So….What’s next? Here is a list to tell you via a list.

Journey/Thoughts/Comments/Q&As
via a list

Edits. Book two is still in edits. There are many changes happening. I can’t really say what all I am doing. But know that it’s needed. Know that even if it takes longer; I really need to make the change I am, to give all of my amazing readers the book two that the need and deserve. I had to really step back and take time to develop an aspect that had not been developed in the first draft of book two.
Marketing. I don’t really want to talk about this. I clearly have no clue how to get people to purchase this book. I want to figure that out. But for now, I’m in a holding pattern.
A mobile command unit. It’s mostly made. But I have to get it all set up. Move it to my car. Then be ready for any sale.
Independent Book Stores: Yes. This is still on my list. Have I done it? No. Is it because I’m terrified of the no? Yes. That is why I haven’t made this a priority. That’s why I haven’t taken the day to do it. Do I want to? Yes. Do I think this is one of the better options I have? Yes.
Plotting. There is no plotting currently happening. Okay, that is a lie. It’s happening but not a ton of it right now.

I have lost steam. I’m losing momentum. But I am not giving up.

@mm_hurley
ya’ll I did a thing! and you won! well @charityr7📚 and @Kimsbookcraze📚 did! Congrats!!! #selfpublishing #themaskofemmelinejones #1000followers #BookTok #writingjourney
♬ original sound – MM Hurley 📚 Author

Thanks for following on with the journey.