It’s no secret I’m a writer–an author several times over for poetry, short stories & creative non-fiction—and I hope one day to make a career of it. It’s a career already in the sense I spend anywhere from 4-12 hours every day first creating, then formatting, and then promoting my work, but it isn’t a career in the sense I make absolutely zero dollars at it. (having looked up the definition of career, I can say this with absolute certainty) And dollars and a certain amount of pie in the sky, stick-to-it-tiveness are needed for expenses such as these:
overhead
As you can see, the skittles supply is dangerously low, and it’s a known fact that writers cannot survive without green skittles.
under chart
mistakenly wandered in, thinking this was a math equation
Now where was I…oh right. Less a writing career than a writing arrear when I factor in the man hours & overhead costs bigger than baseball caps. Yes, blogging is fun, sure interacting with fellow bloggers is stimulating, but the CHATTER was always intended to be a commercial site (for my written works) and having wearied of the cat & mouse of submitting to publishing houses with little more credibility than cereal box copy editors, I went ahead and published a couple short stories on my own. Well, with the help of an excessively large woman of generic moniker aka: Amazon.
She looks a lil’ ruff in the mornings…
As an experiment as much as anything–to see how this end of it plays out–and though it’s incredibly early days for it all, I am announcing these shorts in preference to other culottes, and hoping you’ll come by my bare-bones Author page on Amazon. Kinda’ like attending a housewarming party before the furniture arrives, it’d be faboo if you felt sufficiently intrigued to purchase the fictions, and barring that would create a cage, but that’s besides the point. There’s myriad ways to show support without shelling out clams, though clicking the FB LIKE widget is the only myriad way that comes to mind just now…well, that and sharing the URL on any of the social networks. That’s prolly the biggest way a person could help.
Really? It doesn’t totally suck, you say? Well, I’ll have to check it out!
Since facebook restructured its newstream, virtually no one sees your posts unless you pay to sponsor them, and I’m not just running out of wherewithal to do that—I’m sprinting! I’m so in the red, Loreal has developed a lipstick shade called: Charred Charron, so sharing is key! And nice, besides, and I am always willing to help out a fellow aspirant on their journey up the ladder, too. Especially if they’ll clean the rain gutters when they’re up there, and take down the twinkle lights. But enough preamble about my rambles. Let’s go ahead and peek at those bad boys!
Thank the Good God She Found Jesus
27 pages, download at Amazon KDP for $2.99
Bad girl goes good–and then bad again–exchanging Hail Marys for Happy Hours, and piety for pilsner in a month of equalizing Sundays.
24 pages, download at Amazon KDP for $2.99
Set against the backdrop of a strip club on Halloween, this urban fantasy pokes good-natured fun at the trends of today’s society, while skirting the more serious issues of outsourced & obsolete American workers.
10 pages, download at SCRIBD for 99¢
A short fiction looks at the lighter side of religion and X’s and O’s. Basically a tic-tac-toe of chemistry, agendas & revival…
35 pages– download from Amazon for 99¢
Jump down the rabbit hole–fall through a GUI–become the avatar you seem to be & join Link on a trip to Cyberland. Plenty of digitally generated shenanigans & reasons to upgrade, this Window between worlds has Gates stamped all over it…
Laughing, laughing, laughing, commiserating, right there with you, laughing some more, yes so understanding, more laughter! Great post Karen, just lovin’ it, she says as she leaves laughing and appreciating every single word written here!
xx
Right? Like Lloyd Bridges of Airplane renown remarked: “I picked the wrong decade to write a book. Or maybe that was glue…;) Once I get one or two more kinks ironed out, I am going to offer both shorteez for free like those promotions go–24 hours or whatevs–just soz everyone can see if they like how I put a story together…if so inclined. I pretty much pubbed through the wrong program in that regard–KDP–since they set a mandatory baseline…
Der-de-der…so the learning process starts…but at least it starts!! I am going to go another route for a couple others I have gathering dust…TBD for sure!!
Thank you for commenting!! It is great to site another ship on this uncertain ocean…
This was a wicked read my friend and furthermore
I think that I am going to like it here, so I will have to
make a note of your web Space and add you to my
blogroll otherwise I won’t find my way back here and
that would be a shame
I will try sending you an invite to my Private Space, it
lol Okay I will be back soon 
is a rather friendly place so don’t be put off by my profile
image
Andro
Hi Gray! Nice to “meet” you, too. Thanks for popping in…:)
You are welcome and I will
be calling back soon my friend
Andro
I have just opened the gates
Andro
and I am just now trashing the place..haha! I love it!! Thank you for inviting me to your castle, milord…:)
You are most certainly welcome
and do have a really good look around
as there are bits and pieces all over
Andro
You followed my blog on WordPress a while back, so I’m finally saying a proper hello and nice to meet you!
Hi Jeri Beee! well how nice to “meet’ you properly. Hope your day is as creative as it is…Friday!
Hilarious!! You are witty my dear and have the writers gift. Kudos~
That, dear Cindy, is a gift to say. Thank you!!
I love this!
On another note, I have nominated you for the Super Sweet Blogger Award. Check out my post http://followyourheartandlifewillfollow.wordpress.com/ Happy Blogging!
…heading over!!
BTW a very heartfelt thank you and another nomination back to you for both of the awards that say what it means to me. http://wp.me/p2ML45-17C Thank you from my heart inside of yours! CK
You are definitely commenting as Superman–because only heroes are so selfless! Thank you, Superman! Tell Lois I’ll be over directly…:) Hope your day leaps tall buildings and exceeds all ammo…:)
I’ve nominated you for The Very Inspiring Blogger Award!!!!
You inspire me… Thank you!
Check out the details here:
http://adiaryofadiary.wordpress.com/2013/06/06/nominee-me/
Great post, Charron, well-illustrated and well-written. THANKS for subscribing to my funny-caption photoblog and leaving a “like”! I hope I can bring you a smile (or at least a groan) every weekday.
–John R.
Great post, & wonderful advertising. I could learn from you
well thank you very much!
Self publishing can be a bit of a minefield as you will already know, but with lots of energy and a willingness to promote everywhere and anywhere it can prove fruitful over time, the main thing is not to worry about sales on the outset.
You know how good you are at writing and that is what matters, soon every reader that happens along your blog will be getting interested in your books. It all helps and positivity is the key, keep up your good work and one day that magical door will open for you.
Enjoy a lovely Monday Charron.
Andro
You too, Gray. And thanks for the vote of confidence…I just have to remember to “grab the key” before that magical door opens, ho ho….(watched a little Alice last night–well, and then a Big Alice…:)
Sweet Charron,
I’ve an award for you, for the person who you are and the things you share with the world
http://summer4soul.wordpress.com/2013/06/10/peace-is-a-free-choice-so-is-this-award/
Thank you for that..
Namasté, Summer
Whenever you drop by, you improve my day, Summer. So appropriately named you are…:)
You’re welcome, Charron. Thanks to you to! Have a peaceful day : )
Karen I am glad you mentioned FB. 20percent may see your page unless you promote each. Post individually. I too make very little money for all my efforts. So much so that after five years I am now switching to promote my art while I write whereas until now I have been promoting my books while painting!
You are a brilliant mind. I hope you will look into freelancing for cash. Check some of the LinkedIn groups. I am content writing even though it may not be my dream. It is building my resume. Hang tough chiickiee.
Hi Lesley–
I like your style! By brush or by stroke, you’ll get ‘em…as hopefully, will I. As long as we keep at it–it can be rough going but the key is persistence and diligent attention to opportunity. (something I have been more proactive on of late)
I have to say, this wonderful remark brightened my whole day.
From one aspiring author to another, the very best of luck to you! I’ve found KDP Select a good way of promoting my work as you can offer your books free for 5 days in any 90 day period provided that they are enrolled in KDP Select. Your post made me laugh by the way!
Hmm. Well, I have 2 enrolled in that–and 1 not, and I intend to dribble the one not all over Barns (of the noble ilk) and Smashwords (of the mangled text) and see how that does. I need help figuring out Smashwords tome-like instructions, howsumever, for formatting their books correctly. It looks like that could go reaaallllly wrong.
Keep the faith, Drew!!
Great Post! I’m surprised your not a bit more rattled given the slim budget for Skittles…
Facebook is more like Farcebook these days with all the changes they’ve made…
right? If I don’t sponsor a post–my feedback shows: 2 people have seen this post…I exaggerate, but only just. And I’ve had to downsize to green Gummi bears. I buy ‘em buy the pallet at Costco. It’s rough, but what’s a girl to do?
You could try adding a news feed component to your site with gripping stories like; “Pencil sharpens itself to death!” An eye witness to the event reported it’s last words were; “I didn’t get the point…” or maybe more human interest stuff like; “Flying Nun flightless for 3 years.” in a press release, Sister Bertrille triumphantly stated; “I think I’ve finally kicked the habit!”
Marty, I think you are well on your way! Both those anecdotes are gems, and have an effortless feel–which we as writers know–involves some effort. I thank you for the idea…now if i had some help changing the light bulb…;)