In
the Tarot Cards, the Seven of Pentacles is all about taking stock. Reevaluating
what you’ve been working on for some time, and reflecting on what you’ve accomplished
so far. The beginning of a new year is a perfect time this. It’s a time for
assessment and future planning, as well as a time for a change.
I’m
lucky to be with a publishing company who sets business goals for the year and
shares these plans with their authors. Some of these plans include to publish a
certain amount of books while keeping slots open for authors who are writing an
ongoing series, featuring a new book each month with blog posts, videos, and
discounts, attending many events and festivals, and producing audiobooks. They want
to continue improving and growing, and so do I. Part of that growth includes
building their brand. And that’s my goal too.
So
how am I going to continue building my author brand? By blogging weekly, sharing
interesting and helpful information on the social media, helping other authors
achieve their goals, connecting with readers through events and visits, offering
sales and giveaways, and of course writing more books. Due to circumstances
beyond my control, I’ve not been able to get more of my books into the hands of
my readers these last two years. This will change in the upcoming year with the
publication of the second installment of The Last Timekeepers series, The Last Timekeepers and the Dark Secret
later in 2016. I also plan to work on researching and outlining the third book
in the series next year too!
My
literary agent also has big plans as Walden House (Books & Stuff) has set
up a satellite office in the UK, and will begin re-submitting the first book in
my Mysterious Tales from Fairy Falls series throughout North America and Europe.
Patience is the name of the game when you’re working with an agent, and since I’m
busy producing my time travel series, it’s a win-win for me. This is the beauty
of developing an author brand. When potential publishers check you out, you’ve
got a platform and a body of work already on the go. And that’s when all your
hard work and persistent effort will pay off!
Finally,
I can’t stress this enough, but having a positive mental attitude helps
tremendously. It will not only carry you through the tough writing times where
you’re lucky to get a paragraph written in a day or make enough sales in a
month to buy a coffee and donut, but will see to it that you stay true to your
dreams. Trust me, you’ll have good days and bad days, but if you take stock on
where you’ve been and how far you’ve come as a writer, things will become
brighter, better, and lighter.
How
do you take stock? Are you in a happy place now with your writing career? Wishing
you all a very Happy New Year, and thank you for taking the time to read my
blog! Cheers!
