Ep92: Gratitude for the Author Life (plus Covers and Cohesion)

November 23, 2022 Valerie Ihsan

Hello Writers and Crafters!

I'm Valerie Ihsan, And I'm Erick Mertz, and this is Episode 92 of the podcast and it's November 23, 2022 as we record this.

Main Topic: Gratitude for the Author Life (plus Covers and Cohesion)

PATREON:

No new patrons this week,

A big squeezy hug and Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in us and in the podcast.

This podcast is sponsored by our patrons at Patreon.com/valerieihsan. For as low as a $1/mo, you can get a shout out on the podcast and we can make announcements for you on the podcast. At other tiers, the benefits increase--free books, accountability Zoom calls, scene analysis, mastermind calls, and even free Writer Craft retreat tickets. Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan.

Comments:

Update:
Got the Library of Congress number for my hardcover
Updated the backlist files with updated links, and the first chapter of relevant books.
Cover options came in; want to get feedback first before I respond.
Announcements: Tickets for the Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop go live today. Priced at $900, but patron price is $825. Monthly payments are an option. Send me a message Valerie@valerieihsan.com for a unique PayPal link, or go to the shopping page on my website to purchase at full price.

Writer Craft Writing Retreat is scheduled for next August 24-27, 2023. Tickets are $900 this year and include all lodging and gourmet meals, plus instruction and coaching and retreat time on the river, in Marcola, OR. Payment plans are available, and registration opens November 1st, 2022. Patrons receive a hefty discount AND can buy early, making their monthly payments even less expensive. Go to valerieihsan.com/retreat for more information.

Just finished: The Nesting by CJ Cooke Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston

I'M READING: Wabi Sabi: Japanese Wisdom for a Perfectly Imperfect Life by Beth Kempton, Confessions of a Bookseller (memoir/diary)

Up Next: The Music of Bees by Eileen Garvin
Erick's Reading:
All Systems Red by Martha Wells (Murder Bot series) Artificial Condition (Book 2)

Deserter by Junji Ito (graphic novel)

Show Notes:

Relationships we make (camaraderie), learn about self (process) and other humans, anticipated gratitude, flexy schedule, doing what you love, get to be the cool/crazy person in the room, be your own Human Resources department, freedom, opportunity to "chart the course" of our careers,

Next Episode: Failing (to Suceeed)

Resources:

Raven Publicity (publicity for authors)

The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror

Contact Erick for business-starting advice.

Contact Valerie for book coaching for help writing your book.

Other Resources:

Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign

Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor

Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter.

The Author Life Community

Passion Planner: https://bit.ly/3AUiJUx (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIEO866