Hey there friends,
Sometimes our brains are lying to us. Especially in this day and age where every news platform and ad uses all the psychological tricks to keep you scrolling and clicking.
Now, I’m not necessarily against a binge scroll through short videos (duck homesteaders, tiny houses, and watching people decorate cakes are three of my favorites).
And sometimes those ads can be helpful (just ask the tabs of gluten-free, dairy-free recipes I’m going to try someday - also, this is a judgement-free tab zone, I need every single one of those thirty browser tabs).
But also, boundaries are essential, or all the info all the time can drive you mad - and suck your creative juices dry. Your brain shifts from that essential deep focus into constant dopamine hits - and/or you get a blast of the daily news (or your friends/contacts’ reaction to the daily news) and suddenly what is life and I want to live in a Hobbit hole with potatoes and cake.
So this is me giving you permission to ignore all of that, put blinders on, and do your next, best steps.
This might include:
-not keeping up with all the author/publishing industry news (and creating a framework for what matters to you and what doesn’t)
-doing your writing before you start scrolling or check in with updates (yes, even with awesome Substacks like this one)
-implementing the next book marketing step for you right now (instead of worrying about something five steps down the road)
-finding ways to drop into creative world even when you don’t have a fancy office and aren’t allowed real candles (yup, my office space is in a corner of my living room and my rental agreement prohibits open flames)
Because finding your margin is essential for sustainable success. And that means not being everywhere (because you literally can’t be). It means being where you are, doing the writing and publishing, doing the marketing, and checking the results (because it’s not doom, it’s data).
Your unique words are worth it.
Along with this, I have a teeny-huge announcement - I’m not sure if it’s small or large, so you get BOTH adjectives.
Author Culture is shifting to Author Margins.
Author Culture was a bit of an experiment to see what worked out best for me as Your Friendly Author Coach and you as the Epic Amazing Author (or author-curious). Then I took a hiatus just to figure out all the data and where things went next (because data is awesome).
And what I realized was that:
-y’all got a lot going on
-y’all enjoy storytelling, but also, life is crazy
-y’all are here for me to equip and encourage you
And the best way I can do that is to simply home in on what matters most: helping you amazing authors get more time, money, and breathing room to achieve your success, your way.
In a word, helping you find more margin in a world that seems to eat time, dollars, and mental health for breakfast.
Hence: Author Margins
If you’re ready to:
-stop chasing every strategy (down with the overwhelm)
-start building what works for you (and testing, and trying, and learning, and winning)
-create a profitable author life you can actually sustain (you don’t have to be a super-star full-timer to want to break even and make some on the side)
This is your place/jam session/hobbit hole where we believe in meat and potatoes and cake. Welcome!
I’m super-excited to go on this journey with you. Expect short (for Substack), friendly, weekly posts that will drop on Thursdays. They might include writing essentials, encouragement & mindset, timeless business tips that work no matter what, lessons from my own 17 years of hard-earned experience, and what to ignore this week.
ALSO, I’m open to your questions! Comment/reply with a question and it might just get answered in a weekly post.
Quick Q&A
Q. - What about the scifi and fantasy focus?
A. - I’m still a scifi and fantasy author, so that will still be in there (including world building tips). However, my tips will often also be applicable to other kinds of fiction and author life.
Q. - What about the fun fandom features?
A. - When I have thoughts, yes, but it will always be connected to Author Margins vibes as well.
Q. - What about publishing industry commentary?
A. - On an as-need basis. Those super-long articles take a lot of effort because I do not do “hot takes”, I do informed takes with actual citations and multiple articles and all those other fun, unpopular things. I’m also actively working in the industry as an author and an author coach/editor (as opposed to a research writer).
I’m super-excited for what we can do together to create more truly sustainable author lives and careers.
Go forth and be awesome!
Remember, I’m open to your questions! Comment/reply with a question and it might just get answered in a weekly post.
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.