Hello, there!
Did you just read that in Ewan McGregor’s voice? Because I did.
I’ve just completed a podcast interview with The Authors Show! I don’t know when or where it will be broadcast just yet, but I will give an update as soon as I have that information!
When Lloyds Collide is live and gaining traction! No reviews yet, but it’s already garnered 4 five star ratings!
I’m updating my book blurb on Amazon, and it should be live soon. I’ve recently become aware that the Noctis is my BIGGEST DRAWING POINT, and the MOST UNIQUE THING that I have to offer in my story. It’s literally the reason someone should pick my book over the next one, and I’ve completely buried the goddamn lede on it.
“Let’s be mysterious and let people discover it for themselves!”
Yeah? How’s that working for you, Matt? HOW IS THAT WORKING FOR YOU?
Honestly, not terribly. But it could always be better.
Moving on. I’m busy clacking away, prepping Book 4, and it should be ready for my Beta readers soon. I can’t announce a date yet, but I’m hoping for early Summer.
I’m also working on something slightly different. Don’t worry, there’s still plenty of Lloyd to come, but… Someone else needs their story told.
I’m aware my overall presence in the social media game has been lacking. This, in all honesty, probably won’t change. I hate it. I, honest to goodness, hate Social Media. Not Goodreads – this place is great – but Twitter? Ugh. What a cesspit. Instagram? I’m not pretty enough to gain traction there. Tiktok? Not young OR pretty enough. Adding to the fact that the recommended number of videos one needs to make Tiktok care about you is 1-4 a day.
A DAY.
Ain’t NOBODY got time for that.
That’s not to say I won’t occasionally try, because I do, actually, have to market my book. But the biggest problem I see is the same one I’ve seen other authors come across.
“Get off social media and go write your next book!” the fans shout. Just ask George RR Martin. That guy can’t do -anything- without getting yelled at for the Winds of Winter.
Every time I open Facebook or Twitter, my brain yells at me that I’m wasting time. Writing must be done! Editing is required! No one cares what you have to say in 140 characters or less!
And that’s the problem, isn’t it? I’m a writer. I can give you 100,000 words in a heartbeat, but ask me to summarize a thought in a short, concise manner that will grab your attention and think, “Wow, what a neat and intelligent gentlemman!” Eh, no thanks.
How do people with full-time jobs find the time? Honestly, I need to know. Between finding time to write and edit, work 9-5, cook dinner, do household chores, be an active and attentive husband, while giving myself at least a couple hours to unwind and shut my brain off… Throw active marketing into the mix, and it’s Burn Out Central.
But, hey. I chose to self-publish instead of finding an agent. I got myself into this situation, so I’ll figure it out. Maybe word of mouth will kick in and I can stop stressing. Heh, I wish.
But hey, if you’re a fan of my series … Get those gums flapping! Tell everyone. EVERYONE. Even your grandma with mild glaucoma who wants to do nothing but sit on the couch and watch reruns of Murder She Wrote.
Or don’t. It’s okay. I have a day job, I’m doing alright. I’m not a starving artist.
Anyway. That’s enough rambling today. In the time I spent updating my blurb and writing this blog, I could’ve written an entire chapter.
Toodles.
-Matt