Wednesday, May 6, 2020

FIVE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY (#IWSG May 2020)

Today is the five-year anniversary of the release of my first novel, Ten Thousand Days. (It's also my 40th birthday, but that's neither here nor there).


We live in a strange world right now (apologies for the weirdness of my post last month). We need to celebrate every little thing we can. So, in honour of my book's birthday, I'm giving it away.

Specifically, I'm giving away THREE honest-to-goodness paperback copies of Ten Thousand Days. (I know, who reads dead tree books anymore, right?) But I'm doing it, and, if the postal service in your area is still operating, you will eventually get it, too!

The first copy is going to a lucky follower of my Facebook page. I wrote about it last week, but here's the short version: To have a chance to win a copy, all you have to do is 1) Like my Facebook Page, and 2) Leave a comment on the post pinned to the top of the page. That's it! Simple, right?


For the second copy, I'm going to do one of those raffle-copter thingies, which I'm sure you've seen before:


a Rafflecopter giveaway Just enter the list above for another chance to win! And the more boxes you complete, the more chances you have to win. You can Tweet about the book every day to maximize your chances.

For the third copy, I'm finally starting a mailing list. If you sign-up for the mailing list, you'll be entered for a chance to win a paperback copy as well. I guarantee you I won't be using this list to send you spam, or random stories or posts (I use this blog and Facebook for that). The main purpose of the mailing list will be to alert you, dear reader of when any new books or stories are coming out.


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Which brings me to, I suppose, my main point today. This day is not just about celebrating past books, but about looking forward to new ones. Barring further tragedies, I should have a new book out very soon. Maybe even two this year.

Am I insecure about talking about new books? Hells yes. It seems like every time I start getting excited about something, especially a new book, it just gets delayed or falls apart altogether. I thought I was going to publish Hell Comes to Hogtown nearly a year before it actually came out. A year or so ago I said I was working on a sequel for Hogtown, and then I never finished it. Talking about a book before it's ready seems to be the Touch of Death for me. So why am I doing it now?

Maybe I'm just a sucker for punishment.

Maybe because I'm tired of just talking about old books. Maybe I'm tired of being negative all the time and focusing on failures. Maybe I'm jealous of all the new books I see other writers putting out. I just want to be excited and look forward to something, you know? Trust me, I don't get to do that very often.

So here's to old books and new, here's to turning 40. The world's going to shit anyway, might as well make the most of it.

Hugs & kisses,
-CDGK


The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Writers post their thoughts on their blogs, talking about their doubts and the fears they have conquered. It's a chance for writers to commiserate and offer a word of encouragement to each other. Check out the group at http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/.

12 comments:

Natalie Aguirre said...

Happy Birthday! Turning 40 is a big one. I know because I've had more big ones than that. Congrats on the 5 year anniversary of your first book. How exciting that you may publish two more this year.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

You can do it!
Happy birthday. I vaguely remember forty...
Signing up for your newsletter now.

Steph W. said...

Happy birthday! I say talk about them! It is good motivation, maybe a sense of accountability, too? Sometimes I think that we use "knock on wood" too much and we offend the spirits by not talking about good things. They deserve recognition too. Best of luck!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Happy birthday!!

No curse this time. You will make it happen.

Kristin said...

Congrats on both your millstones! May there be many more.

Anonymous said...

Geez - so much to celebrate! Congrats on the blog anny, your birthday, and your new release(s). Damn! Now I'm jealous! No worries, we're both going to get something published this year!

Rebecca M. Douglass said...

Lordy, lordy, to be just forty! :D Happy birthday, and good luck with the new book! If you are managing any kind of writing, you are doing fantastically well!

Caitlin Coppola said...

First: happy birthday! You made it to 40 without falling off a cliff or getting eaten by a wildabeast. This is GOOD. Bask in your accomplishment :)

Second: you sound sad, and I'm sorry you're feeling that way (if you are). I don't think writers talk about how depressed we get as much as it happens, but it sounds like you're in the dark cloud of writing - but you have/want that excitement of a new book! YES! Chase it! This is why we do what we do: that feeling!

Third: I try not to talk about new projects I'm really excited about, not unless I absolutely *KNOW* I'll release it. I jinxed myself in my early days. Never again.

And fourth: happy book anniversary! Definitely something to celebrate along with reaching 40. I say just drink to all the accomplishments!

Beth Camp said...

Somehow this stay-at-home edict has helped me dig deeper into my writing. I'm actually working on more than one project and enjoying it, but I still have that first book languishing in a file drawer. So, congratulations on so many different levels -- on publishing your book, on turning 40 (was there cake?), and most of all, on writing. Enjoy every moment for, as you say, the world in its own sweet way, is just going to keep twisting.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Happy Birthday!!!!!! To you and your book!!

Jennifer Hawes said...

Five years?? Time really does fly faster the older you get. Congrats on your birthday and good luck with the new books. I have a few old ones I'm sitting on. But a new idea has me writing a new draft.

Loni Townsend said...

A month later... Happy Book Birthday! I hope your giveaway went well! And I'm excited to hear that you'll have some releases this year. :)

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