Hello friend, 👋🏾
You may have noticed that things have been quiet around here lately. I do have a book coming out in 2 weeks, and trying to make sure people know about it has been depleting my introverted energy pennies. I never feel like I’m doing enough book marketing, and I probably am not, but what I manage to accomplish is inevitably draining.
Social media isn’t my favorite thing, but I actually do enjoy book events, both in-person and online, even though they’re taxing. They pull on the same reserves I use to do my podcast, My Imaginary Friends, and create this newsletter.
Also, Footnotes began as a way for this High Input personality to share some of what I collect in my travels across the Internet. But these days, my Input is feeling overwhelmed. I’m consciously bowing out of the urge to know more about everything, because my brain is tired.
A few weeks ago, I purchased the app Freedom, which I use to block social media sites for about half the day. It’s been lovely and truly freeing, but it also means that my screen time is down.
This is just a long-winded preamble to the fact that I’m realizing I have to approach how I do this newsletter a bit differently. I’m just not sure what that will look like yet.
For the premium subscribers, My Imaginary Best Friends, nothing will change. I’ll be posting something for y’all this Friday. And I’m definitely not abandoning the Monday newsletter at all, but it may be more sporadic while I get myself together.
Thanks so much for being here!
If you find this weekly email useful, please hit the ❤️ button, share it with a friend, and consider becoming a paid subscriber!
📝 Imagining Success with Kelley Armstrong
“Imagining Success” is an interview series where I talk to authors who have achieved career milestones that others only dream about and ask them how they got there and where they go from here.
In this interview, I speak with #1 New York Times Bestseller Kelley Armstrong about maintaining longevity in a career, her refreshing perspective from her time in the publishing trenches, and what keeps her going.
Find her online at https://www.kelleyarmstrong.com. Her latest release is Disturbing the Dead, book 3 in the Rip Through Time historical mystery series.
📝 “Always remember why you started”
I was really moved by this Instagram post “A Quantum Reflection,” which is really a tiny short film, by writer and director Adeola Alao, where a frustrated creator talks with his younger self. It’s a fantastic perspective shifter.
📝 Taking Care
I also really loved this illustrated poem by The Oatmeal on grief.
💡Imaginary Worldbuilding - the Spring Sale is coming!
From June 1-10, 2024, I will be having a sale on my premium course Imaginary Worldbuilding: Creating Fictional Worlds for Writers. I have an affiliate program for those who would like to help promote the course. Affiliate commissions are 25% of the cost of the sale.
You can sign up to become an affiliate for the course here. Before the sale begins, affiliates will receive promotional copy and graphics to use to help spread the word.
🌊 Daughter of the Merciful Deep releases June 4th!
"Do not pray for an easy life; pray for the strength to endure a difficult one."
—Bruce Lee
✨Ink & Magic podcast: Episode 26, “Endings”
Ines and Leslye tackle how to bring stories to a close with a deep dive on story endings. We dive into character arcs, open doors (and windows), and resolutions.
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Some links may be affiliate links, which means I may make a small commission from purchases at no cost to you. I only become affiliates for products or vendors I use and love.
Wishing you the best as you launch your new book!
Best of success in your launch, Leslye! It's totally okay to minimize how you approach your writing here. I'm trying to figure it out myself too, as an introvert as well!