Dec 1

Dec 1 Ep93: Failure (In Order to Succeed)

Hello Writers and Crafters!

I'm Valerie Ihsan, And I'm Erick Mertz, and this is Episode 93 of the podcast and it's November 30, 2022 as we record this.

Main Topic: Failing (in order to Succeed)

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: RE:Ep92: Mary says, Very nice episode. I'm excited for both of you and your upcoming projects. Valerie, I think the picture on your Author's Website is fantastic! I definitely think that picture of you would entice people to pick up the book. Erick, I have your first book. I like the cover and I look forward to reading it.

Announcements: Tickets for the Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop are live. 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 include all lodging and gourmet meals, plus instruction and coaching and retreat time on the river, in Marcola, OR. Go to valerieihsan.com/retreat for more information.

Update:
Got caught up in subtitle fonts for the cover. Been emailing back and forth with designer. I'm overthinking it. But 99% done and ready to approve the ebook cover. I've forecasted my remaining publishing tasks and am on target for a January release. I'm starting to think about pricing and keywords. Yesterday I did a final proofread on the manuscript and finalized the formatting in Vellum. AND, I'll send out the last of my postcards today. (Had to get postcard stamps.)

Just finished: Meredith, Alone by Claire Alexander and The Music of Bees by Eileen Garvin

I'M READING: Wabi Sabi: Japanese Wisdom for a Perfectly Imperfect Life by Beth Kempton, A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny

Up Next:
Erick's Reading:
All Systems Red by Martha Wells (Murder Bot series) Artificial Condition (Book 2)

Deserter by Junji Ito (graphic novel)

Show Notes:

Believe in my head, not in my heart. So still struggle. Failure is necessary to your success. But is it really? Do I have to? Maybe I won't. Just try hard and stay focused. Except, then, perfectionism gets in the way of starting. "Learning in Public" is what I try to do. To normalize failure.

Play in the sandbox.

"Perfect is the enemy of done."

"Better is the enemy of good."

Community building is necessary.

I wish I would have started failing earlier.

Next Episode: How to Decide on Your Next Project

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: