Newsletter: October 2024 Edition
Dealing with Writer Envy, Upcoming Events, My Latest Author Interview, and More
Welcome to the October 2024 edition of my newsletter and the beginning of fall, my favorite season! Send me all the baked fruit pies and pumpkin spice, et al, that you have!! Now that this brutal summer in Texas is finally over, I can get outside and go for walks which will help me write more books. Subscribe to get the newsletter in your email inbox. Never miss an update. Subscribe today! Alright, onto the newsletter stuff.
One of the things that I’ve been thinking about a lot lately is the envy that comes from seeing other writers post on social media about their successes and experiencing the jealousy that comes from feeling left out or rejected by several outlets in the literary establishment. It’s not a good feeling particularly in light of the struggle I went through to get to this point in my writing career. Having independently published eight books over 16 years, I’d hoped that finally releasing my ninth book through a traditional publisher would open doors that had been closed to authors like me who’d “self-published” their books. What I discovered was that not many new doors opened for me.
What did I hope would happen? Well, in the months leading up to my book’s publication in March 2024, I hired a publicist and I’d hoped that all the trade publications (or at least ONE) would review my book without me having to pay for a book review like I did as a self-published author. None did. I'd hoped that traditional media, particularly in Texas and in Austin—the city I've lived in for 35 years—would publish a profile about me or, at least, review my book. None did. I felt dejected because I'd finally released my ninth book on a traditional publisher and I was still discovering that the doors were closed for my new book.
So, when I'd see other authors and their similar books to mine receiving reviews in Publishers Weekly or Kirkus Reviews, I felt envious. When I'd see other Texas authors being profiled in Texas Monthly or Texas Highways or the Austin Chronicle, I felt jealous. Why wasn't my book getting that attention? Why wasn't I being featured at that time? I hate admitting that I felt this way, but I'm only human. I'm not perfect.
When I started to understand that this jealousy and envy didn't make me feel good, what did I do about it? I decided it was best for me to do what I could control, and that was to lean into my writing. I'd remind myself that the writing part of being a writer was my favorite part, not fame or notoriety or money or reviews. I also learned from other mid-list authors that I wasn't alone in being rejected. Many of them had also been ignored by the trade publications and traditional media; it wasn't just me. I decided to focus on things that I could control which was to write more books and to be a cheerleader for other writers. These were—and still are—the things that made me feel good as a writer.
Ironically, months after my novel was released and all hope was gone for any publicity for it, I was invited to appear at a book festival, I was invited to be interviewed on LIVE television in San Antonio at the NBC affiliate, I was interviewed for an awesome podcast, and the audiobook edition of my novel was reviewed in AudioFile Magazine, a prestigious trade publication. Very cool developments!
But, as cool as these things are, nothing makes this writer happier than simply writing.
Upcoming Events
I will be at the Boerne Book Festival as part of the Writers’ League of Texas “Obsessed with Texas” Panel Discussion on Saturday, October 5th, at 10:00 a.m., at Main Plaza. Join novelists Amanda Churchill, James Wade, and myself and listen to us chat about our latest books and all things Texas. Executive Director of the WLT, Becka Oliver, will moderate the panel. It’s FREE and RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1031396938558977/
Also, I will be hosting Evan Rail at BookPeople in Austin, Texas on October 20th at 4:00pm to celebrate The Absinthe Forger: A True Story of Deception, Betrayal, and the World’s Most Dangerous Spirit! This event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP for your FREE ticket(s): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bookpeople-presents-evan-rail-the-absinthe-forger-tickets-1000962424557
Recent Author Interview
Normally I would mention one of my latest Austin Liti Limits interviews in this section of my newsletter, but this month I have a different interview to highlight. Recently, I was interviewed on the Desideratum Podcast by Emmy Award-winning host Theresa Bakken, along with the narrator to my latest audiobook, Brian P. Craig. We talked about the inspirations for my novel The Codger and the Sparrow and Brian’s approach to narrating my book. This interview turned out so amazingly well and I encourage you to give it a listen. Thank you so much to Theresa Bakken for shining a light on Brian and my latest audiobook! Listen to this podcast episode here:
My Latest Book
I can’t sign off without mentioning (once again, if you don’t mind) the book I have out now THE CODGER AND THE SPARROW (Paperback from TCU Press, Audiobook from Vibrance Press). It’s a humorous yet moving story about a 65-year-old widower’s unusual friendship with a 16-year-old troublemaker. You can find paperbacks and eBooks here: Bookshop, BookPeople, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, Kobo Books, and TCU Press (publisher). Audiobooks here: Audible, Libro.FM, Apple Books, Amazon, Nook, and Vibrance Press (publisher).
Please consider supporting this newsletter and buy a copy of my book. If you already have a copy, then it would make a great gift for a friend or family member. Until next time, read more books, support your local bookstores, be good to each other, and above all else: do what makes you happy.
Sincerely,
Scott
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