Posted 20 Feb 2018 editing science fiction
The audio files for proofing/QC arrived on Saturday morning, which was perfect timing for getting them reviewed and sending my comments back on schedule, but wow that was an intensive weekend. My back and neck (plus right shoulder) are not happy with me. Thankfully I got out for a couple hours this weekend to walk around but I have reached that strange physical state where I know it will only damage my spine further if I sit, but standing takes more energy than I currently have. I literally want nothing more than to curl up on the floor in a blanket. Or to buy a ridiculously space-wastey lovesac chair to sink into. Which would be even worse for my back, no doubt. Anxiety has done a good job propelling me out of bed this week. I consider it gold star-worthy to be awake before the coffee pot comes on automatically. So, BINGO. Monday, check. Tuesday, check. Foggy as my head feels today, though, I'm not sure if the streak will go much longer. Finished the audio review yesterday evening, typed up my notes and sent them to Colin, typed up my suggested pull quotes and sent those off for discussion, recorded Hybrid Author Podcast episode 23, picked my new author portrait from the shoot on Sunday, and then collapsed on the couch. Went to bed early. This morning I got back to Phantom Traveler and, somehow, was more focused than usual of late. This suggests having other stuff to anticipate or items on my to-do list is, as I always surmise, a major distraction. Even though I have plenty more to do, I think finishing the proofing of the audiobook and the print layout gave me enough satisfaction to sit down and write this morning. I can sympathize with recently departed spirits and their unfinished business. Somehow, we are in the home stretch of February already, and I do need to get back to my guest essays, plus all the design stuff I mentioned in my last post. I apologize to anyone reading these author status posts. I hate reading back over them, but they are purgative to write, helping me sort my twisting thoughts into more actionable goals and lists. Without these posts, I'm pretty sure my brain would be even more chaotic than it normally is. The major news is this: FLOTSAM's audiobook, print, and cover will be finished by this time next week. That's gonna be it. The end of proofing, and revising, and so on. Then it's all launch, marketing, and other efforts aimed at getting it in front of people. Soon it will be time to remind my VIP subscribers to leave their reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. Parvus will begin posting excerpts soon and, as soon as I have a chance to make some revisions, I'll be sending out the prequel short story to my list and using that as my reader magnet, instead of Flotsam's first chapter (which will be available on Amazon – and then some – without signing up for an email newsletter). I'm in the process of switching from MailerLite to MailChimp (because of the integrations it offers for my Phantom Traveler subscribers). It's weedy to try and find all the places I've hidden MailerLite sign-ups. Once that's transitioned, I'll work to revamp my new subscriber automation to account for actually having books published to direct them to. After the essays and prequel revisions. Tonight, I am being interviewed for a podcast, I have meal prep to do, and then Colin and I will go over final edits to Flotsam based on things I identified in the audiobook. Then I will collapse on the couch and go to bed early. Also: Black Panther was exquisite. As was the massage during my nail appointment last week. I picked a blue-purple nail polish that I sourced from a point on the spine of Jennifer Foehner Wells's Fluency.Next Launch Sequence