Top 10 reasons why the week before release week makes me crazy
10. I am putting together cool graphic teasers to go along with blog posts and graphics are soooo not my thing. I spend HOURS, DAYS even, doing what somebody else offers to do to save my tears. She does it in five minutes. While she's in a meeting.
9. Blog Posts. I hired somebody to do a tour, but I still need more posts. I do blog posts about my book, ad nauseum. So I try to make them cool, with gifs (see above). Again, not my thing.
8. Analytics. This word is equated in my mind with other A words that I abhor, like algorithm, and ants. I'm trying to figure out why I had nearly 3000 page views last Saturday, and am a bit worried that it's because I responded to a tweet by James Deen about Mr. Bungle. My friends are all directing me to Google Analytics, which is like telling me to learn GREEK. So I'm trying to figure out Google Analytics while hoping the knowledge will help me do better with this book release. Somehow. As if knowing my 'bounce rate' will help. *snort*
7. Favors. I do favors all the time without thinking about them, yet I hate asking for them. I know, it's all part of the game, but still. Messaging blogs, and emailing other authors, reminding them of the time I did a spotlight/takeover/release blitz/whatever for them, and asking them to reciprocate is hard. It's like telling somebody, "sure I'll do that for you, but I won't forget it, because I'll need a favor in return!" I don't know, it just leaves a bad taste in my mouth and I can only hope that people aren't blacklisting me all over the indie author community.
6. Timing. Currently my book is at my formatter, and I know it will be ready, because I trust Deena and I know she will do everything in her power to have it back to me in a timely manner. But still, it's out of my hands. Somebody else has my baby. And when I get it back, and put it up on Amazon, it could take as long as three days (like it did with Saving Charlie) to go live. I thought I gave myself enough time to save this ulcer when I set my release date for Craze (April 27th, in case you don't realize), but it doesn't seem to matter. I get a tummy-ache every time.
5. FB events. Sure they're fun. Sure they're effective. But they are a lot of work. I am out of my damn mind, and don't know how to count, because this release event is from the 27th to the 30th. Now, when I set it up, in my head, that was three days. I told myself it would be a lot of work, but I could do it, with my PA's help. When I started getting author involvement and making spreadsheets and stuff, I realized the 27-30 is FOUR FUCKING DAYS. Facebook in general had been a major time suck for me this week, just trying to set up this event and get people invited, as well as the authors organized and takeover slots filled.
4. Organization. Not my forte. My desk, office, living room, car, and kids' appearance are all evidence of that. I have to be uber organized for release week. Emailing and reminding reviewers to post reviews on release day, reminding authors of their takeover times, staying on top of everybody else, basically it's a major project, and I'm the project manager. Seriously.
3. Twitter. I'd like to have a huge twitter thing, but don't totally understand how to do that. I've recently gotten involved in twitter, with triberr and roundteam, but so far, most of my interaction has been 'Thanks @anneconley10 for all the RT' which I know is roundteam boosting my stuff, but hell... You're welcome for all the RTs, can you RT some of my stuff? Back to the favors... Anyway, I want to do a Q and A thing on Twitter, but don't know how, so that's on my list of stuff to do this weekend.
2. I only have so many hours in the day... I work on book stuff from 5:30 am until 2:00. After that, I'm Mommy. I can take some breaks from the Mommy thing, while the kids are iPadding out, but that's not much time to focus on one thing.
1. I'm a writer. None of this other stuff (except the Mommy thing, I love that) is really my bag. I would much rather be writing this Civil War story told through the POV of the lady who bought the old farm house and is falling in love and having hot sex with her handiman who is an ex-con. But NOOO-OOOO. I've got release week, so instead, I'm pulling out my hair...
In the end, it's worth it. I've got some great stuff planned for next week, and it's going to be fun. I may not eat, or sleep. My kids may forget what I look like, and I'm sure the in-laws will make the four-hour drive for a surprise visit, but it's about getting my book into y'all's hands. That's really what it's all about. I tell stories. And I want you to read them.
Tell me, please, what makes you cray-cray. What's making your hair fall out at the moment? Let's commiserate. And in case you haven't heard, Craze is releasing April 27th on all major retailers!
All. Of. The. Above. I'm not a mommy but I do have furbabies who demand my attention. I've gotten better about what needs to be done for a release and try to start writing posts and making graphics at least a month out. I'm a big list maker when it comes to doing things. I have the pre-release list, and the after release. Adding links to all the relevant pages, etc. It's tough when a passion has to be treated like a business because we want to get our stories out there and we're the only ones to do it.
ReplyDeleteYes. Exactly Melanie. I keep thinking that I'll be finished soon, but the list keeps growing! At some point, I'm just going to have to say enough. I want to get back to writing!
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