mymusings

Readers are always asking where an idea for a particular book comes from. Often, I’m not exactly sure. Mostly my muse visits me in my dreams and I wake up with an idea. She’s pretty awesome that way. Sometimes, however, an idea is sparked by a real life event, which is the case in Fireworks,…

In this post Anna of the Death by Cupcake series tells us why in the world she gave up the world of finance to bake cupcakes. Take it away, Anna! ~~~~ Thanks, Dena! People claim I’m obsessed with cupcakes. I’m part-owner of the cupcake bakery, Callie’s Cakes, where I’m also the baker extraordinaire. Of course, I…

In this post Anna of the Death by Cupcake series tells us why she chose July 4th as her wedding date. Take it away, Anna! ~~~~ Thanks, Dena! The Fourth of July doesn’t scream wedding date, but it’s the date I chose to get married anyway. My friends – I’m looking at you Callie –…

Newsletter swaps are awesome. Not only will they help sell your book, but they are hundred-percent free!  I can’t believe it took me this long to start doing them! First of all, what the heck is a newsletter swap? It’s simple really. You agree to mention another author’s book in your newsletter. In exchange, they agree…

I’ve talked about the myriad of mistakes I’ve made in my writing career many times. (Want to laugh at all mistakes? Check out this blog post.) I’ve alluded to wishing I had used various pen names in the past. Today, I’ll elaborate on why I’m filled with regret for using D.E. Haggerty as my author…

Totally honest. I’m not sure how I’m going to adjust to the world when this whole Corona virus crisis over. In addition to writing like a demon, I’m enjoying the stress-free life and the lack of social anxiety. (Not to say I don’t have anxiety. I have a shit ton of anxiety. But, as long…

As I near my two-month anniversary of quarantine, I thought it appropriate to reflect on how my book marketing strategies have changed during this time. Like many authors, I assumed people would sit at home and read during the corona crisis. But a lot of people – myself included – are having concentration and anxiety…

Sounds awesome, doesn’t it? Work from home. No boss breathing down your neck. No need to get dressed in business clothes. Hell, no need to shower or get out of your pj’s if you don’t want to. But as I’ve learned over the years as a work-at-home writer, it’s not as easy as it seems….

Today, I’m going to eat a huge slice of humble pie and talk about all the mistakes I’ve made as an authorpreneur. Hopefully, someone can learn from my mistakes. Lord knows it took me forever to learn from them. So, without further ado, all the mistakes I’ve made.   Not using an editor. Hangs head…

When someone suggested reading Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick for our February book club, I thought a lot of unpleasant things. I didn’t say anything out loud. Nope. As the fearless leader of the book club, I kept my mouth shut. Strange, but true. What was my problem? It’s non-fiction! My experience with non-fiction…