Friday 27 May 2016

My to-do list keeps getting bigger

I would like to say a huge thank you to my guest bloggers/interviewees over the past couple of weeks. Sometimes, when I'm in the middle of writing, everything else goes pear-shaped - I'm lucky I remember to go to work, some days!

I've been deep into some serious rewriting for a resubmission - so serious that my 39,000 word novella is looking like it's going to be a 50,000 novel. Possibly longer. I'm not sure how I feel about this at the moment - the story I wanted to tell is getting lost. I'm going to keep going, but during my re-read it might scale right the way back to 39,000 words again. But, obviously, different ones!

As well as writing, I'm trying to keep on top of marketing my new book. You know the one. It's over there, on the left, keep going... That's it, the one with the amazing cover.

Today I was told that all the pre-order links are live - print and ebook. If you'd like to check it out, click here now, to find the pre-order links, add it to your Goodreads TBR list, or to look around the site and find other great titles.

I've got three events coming up - two book signings and a book fair in my hometown, all within a couple of weeks of each other. I just hope I've got enough books to sell - and that the locals don't get bored of me. Because of those events, I'm designing a large banner to take around with me. Well, okay, I'm not, but my wonderful husband is - right now, in fact.

On top of that, I thought that maybe my web site needed an overhaul, so I'm currently trying to tie it in with the new banner and some business cards. I even thought about having some new author photos taken, but given the fact I'm procrastinating over my passport photos, it's probably not a wise idea.

Oh, and I've got the posts for my blog tour to write and send out. If you've signed up as a tour stop, rest assured I haven't forgotten you.

You know, I thought by writing it all down, it wouldn't seem such a mammoth list. But it is, isn't it? I'm not complaining - before my first book was published, I used to look enviously at all those writers who were juggling their tasks. Plus, the wine I'm drinking is helping. How many other jobs are there where drinking wine is practically a prerequisite?

What's keeping you busy at the moment?



27 comments:

  1. Wow, your to-do list is a bit daunting, isn't it? And I was feeling sorry for myself 'cause I have a zillion book bloggers to query. I'm obviously not the only one under pressure. Congrats on your upcoming release! (And it's added to my GR TBR!)

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    1. Thanks Lexa. Ah book blogger queries are tough - lots of emails going out, very few getting replies, in my experience. Good luck!

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  2. Your to-do list is a fun one though. Book events are exciting and I wish you much success with them. Looking forward to being a stop on the blog tour. June is busting out all over....Salut!

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    1. I'm really looking forward to the events. I'm growing used to chatting with people and encouraging them to buy - although I'm still working my way up to doing a reading or a talk. I'd love to be confident to do a talk one day!

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  3. Hi Annalisa - well done ... and so good to see you're revitalising everything - it's good to have a change up ... I must do that over the summer. Congratulations on your new upcoming release - the cover is clever, as too the typeface ... cheers and have a happy weekend - Hilary

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    1. Thanks Hilary :-) The summer is a great time to freshen things up.

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  4. Sounds like my life although not quite as many events at the moment. Which is good, as I'm trying to edit and juggled the duties of DLP, which has been a lot the past couple weeks.

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    1. To be honest, I've listed more events in the next few weeks than I've had in the past four years. I'm a slow starter, but hopefully I've got the momentum now :-) You've got a lot of your plate too, though - juggling is the order of the day!

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  5. Oh, for a publicist.
    Good luck with the rewrites. I'm sure when you finish it is going to be wondrous.

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    1. A publicist would be great, although Hubby is designing banners and business cards for me. I've hit another rewrite bump, but hopefully I can work it out :-)

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  6. I think it's cool that your novella ended up being longer than you expected. I heard the writer Matthew Pearl say once that he kept an "extras" file on his computer for passages that he cut from his manuscripts. Then you could use some of those extras for other stories.

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    1. Whereas I'm just slashing words willy-nilly at the moment, and still ending up with more!

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  7. Annalisa, I am so pleased for you. Keep up the good stuff! Can't wait to read the new book :-) x

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  8. Wow, yes, you are busy. But also you have so many great opportunities. You can do it. Hang in there. Wishing you well.

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    1. Thanks Murees. Yes, busy, but enjoying it. And I've actually sorted my website and my business cards have been delivered, so there's a dent in the list :-)

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  9. Book promotion is a headache, right? I'm nearing the end of the hardest part of mine. I have a blog tour coming up and four readings but those are the last major hurdles. Sure, I'll be posting ads soon but we'll see. Still trying to find an audience for the book. :) Congrats on presale!

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    1. And the list just keeps growing, doesn't it? Promotion never ends, it just evolves!

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  10. Hi Annalisa,

    Good grief, you are one busy lady. That's most positive. Now for the release of your book.

    Cheers,

    Gary :)

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    1. Very busy indeed, Gary! But having fun too :-)

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  11. I hadn't thought of the writing-wine connection in that fashion, but thanks for bringing that up. I love it when a short piece suddenly finds depth and takes off. Congrats on the novel.

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    1. Wine is my writing vice. I don't like coffee or smoking, which seem to be the other two :-)

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  12. You're a busy woman! My son's summer break has started, so I'm trying to keep afloat and keep him busy. Good luck to both of us! :)

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  13. I remember when I thought that pretty much of a writer's working time was spent actually writing.

    Obviously I laugh about that now.

    And drink wine.

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  14. Wow...I got fatigued just reading this :) you need an ice cream break! What is keeping me busy at the moment? Teaching 12 classes :) love it but I am constantly tired.

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    1. Yeah, ice cream sounds like a fantastic idea - we've actually got the weather for it, too! I'm happy that your teaching is going well, but don't wear yourself out :-)

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