I spent last night staring at the ceiling trying to focus my career brain and make decisions and think through and analyze why I kept having this unsettled feeling--this newsletter is the exact answer to those questions I was thinking about. Thank you!
As a creative in general, I find we often struggle with this and social media is a big factor of networking and comparison to ourselves. It's a tough algorithm to ride and I've been struggling with it for years. But I along with my amazing circle often remind me that as long as I still love what I do, and it pushes me to get better, grow at my own pace and not give up then that's all that matters.
Also, SS&D news is the cherry on top I needed this week! I'm so happy you got it back, can't wait for what's to come!!
This is great, Sooz. Like you, I want longevity. That requires a certain stable level of sales, of course, but it doesn't have to be five star hotels and stadiums full of adoring fans for me. That sounds like so much pressure! But my goal -- my biggest goal -- is to still have this job, in some form, when I'm 100 years old. (I might be dead by then? So I'll be a GHOSTwriter. Haha.)
You've just described how I feel every time I look at Victoria aveyard's instagram. I've uninstalled social media from my phone and have been trying to focus on my own things but it's still so difficult. I'm glad I'm not the only one with these kinds of feelings. Thank you for this 💜
Thank you SO much for this post, Sooz! I see a lot of authors having a “compounding interest” sort of build in their careers where the hard work doesn’t always pay off until several books later, and then suddenly their whole back listed lineup takes off! Looking at the author Taylor Jenkins Reid -- I never even heard of her until Daisy Jones & the Six, which is like her SIXTH book. Good Omens was a flop when it was first published in book form, but then the fans found it & it started taking off a year later, and now it’s had 2 seasons as a TV series🤩 Time lines are so different for everyone & each book is so unique, and I love how you described it in terms of ecosystem diversity because that’s so true. And I can’t wait to see what you do with Something Strange & Deadly!🥰 Keep it up because you’re an inspiration.
I'm so excited for something strange and deadly being in your hand once more!
An author who's career I admire is Patricia Briggs. She continues to write multiple series in parallel and publishes a book a year. There is no social media involved (though I as a late 20s human would post on social media for myself) and her dedications are never longer than a page. She's my comfort and the stability I am happy exists in this publishing space.
Another perfect example of you hitting right in the feels for my current situation in my career. Since finalizing my latest WIP last month, I’ve been weighing the opportunity costs of trying to traditionally publish fiction versus focusing on entrepreneurial nonfiction writing and speaking to build a brand and target audience of readers and fans. This was so perfectly timed, thanks for all that you do!
I spent last night staring at the ceiling trying to focus my career brain and make decisions and think through and analyze why I kept having this unsettled feeling--this newsletter is the exact answer to those questions I was thinking about. Thank you!
I enjoyed that mineral tidbit, good find! 💎And oh my goodness, poop in the Roomba on repeat 😵💫😵😵💫I’m so sorry!
As a creative in general, I find we often struggle with this and social media is a big factor of networking and comparison to ourselves. It's a tough algorithm to ride and I've been struggling with it for years. But I along with my amazing circle often remind me that as long as I still love what I do, and it pushes me to get better, grow at my own pace and not give up then that's all that matters.
Also, SS&D news is the cherry on top I needed this week! I'm so happy you got it back, can't wait for what's to come!!
Nodded my head through so much of this, friend. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this topic. 🖤
This is great, Sooz. Like you, I want longevity. That requires a certain stable level of sales, of course, but it doesn't have to be five star hotels and stadiums full of adoring fans for me. That sounds like so much pressure! But my goal -- my biggest goal -- is to still have this job, in some form, when I'm 100 years old. (I might be dead by then? So I'll be a GHOSTwriter. Haha.)
You've just described how I feel every time I look at Victoria aveyard's instagram. I've uninstalled social media from my phone and have been trying to focus on my own things but it's still so difficult. I'm glad I'm not the only one with these kinds of feelings. Thank you for this 💜
Thank you SO much for this post, Sooz! I see a lot of authors having a “compounding interest” sort of build in their careers where the hard work doesn’t always pay off until several books later, and then suddenly their whole back listed lineup takes off! Looking at the author Taylor Jenkins Reid -- I never even heard of her until Daisy Jones & the Six, which is like her SIXTH book. Good Omens was a flop when it was first published in book form, but then the fans found it & it started taking off a year later, and now it’s had 2 seasons as a TV series🤩 Time lines are so different for everyone & each book is so unique, and I love how you described it in terms of ecosystem diversity because that’s so true. And I can’t wait to see what you do with Something Strange & Deadly!🥰 Keep it up because you’re an inspiration.
I'm so excited for something strange and deadly being in your hand once more!
An author who's career I admire is Patricia Briggs. She continues to write multiple series in parallel and publishes a book a year. There is no social media involved (though I as a late 20s human would post on social media for myself) and her dedications are never longer than a page. She's my comfort and the stability I am happy exists in this publishing space.
Another perfect example of you hitting right in the feels for my current situation in my career. Since finalizing my latest WIP last month, I’ve been weighing the opportunity costs of trying to traditionally publish fiction versus focusing on entrepreneurial nonfiction writing and speaking to build a brand and target audience of readers and fans. This was so perfectly timed, thanks for all that you do!