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The awesome co-hosts for today’s IWSG are Stephen Tremp, Fundy Blue, Viola Fury, MJ Fifield, Loni Townsend, Bish Denham, Susan Gourley, and Stephanie Faris!
The insecurities pop up like giant monsters while I’m trying to publish a book on my own. This is when I admit it’s so much easier when I let the professional publishers do it. But my “control freak” has done it to me again. So here I am doubting that I have the chops to see this project through, hoping I’ve remembered to do all that I must do, and wondering if I’ve chosen the right plan–all the time muttering, “Never again. Never again.”
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Pat Garcia says
Lee,
You are going to make it. Sure, it is your first self-published book. The task is enorm because you have the responsibility to make it happen. However, you have also the guts to do it. You are stretching. Learning something new and you are accumulating lots of knowledge as you move farther out. You can do it. Hang in there, Lady.
Shalom,
Patricia
Alexa from Summer Snowflakes says
Congratz on the book! π I've never self-published, but I relate to insecurities–writerly and otherwise. They suck, but it's always awesome to have people around to help and encourage you through them. π
Also, that cover is fantastic. If you're doing a reveal of some kind, I'd love to feature it. π
Alexa
thessalexa.blogspot.com
verbosityreviews.com
Jen Chandler says
The cover is gorgeous! I love it. It makes me want to dive right in. Congratulations on the book AND on publishing it yourself. That's wonderfully brave!
Kalpanaa M says
That cover is so intriguing. It makes me want to read the book right away.Congratulations!! As for how insecure I'm feeling? Secure enough to write a blog, still too insecure to show my fiction to anyone.
Shooting Stars Mag says
Congrats on publishing your book yourself! That's great you were able to get help when you needed it. It's nice to have a community around you.
-Lauren
Michele Truhlik says
Wow, what an incredible cover! I love it!
You'll be so happy and proud as soon as all this self-publishing journey is over. Don't worry, you have what it takes and you're making all the right decisions. Questioning just means your crossing your T's and dotting your I's. That's a good thing! But I'm sure it's very stressful. Hang in there.
The cover is magnificent! Congrats!
Michele at Angels Bark
Dianne K. Salerni says
That's a fantastic cover! I love the colors in it.
I'm climbing a mountain right now, and very insecure about it. I wish I could enjoy the journey more.
Lisa says
I love the cover! I'm climbing the mountain. I'm both insecure and confident, in what I'm not sure yet, but I feel both of these things. And I love Andy Rooney's quote. Thanks for sharing… and for dropping by my blog!
Kathleen Valentine says
That is a very engaging cover! Best wishes with it.
@Kathleen01930
Blog
Ann Best says
Wish you great success with what looks like a most interesting book. Wonderful cover. Congratulations!
S.K. Anthony says
Oh my gosh!!! How exciting!!! And yes, terrifying for you maybe, but exciting for your fans π Love the cover!!!!
Never again? That's what I say all the time! My need to be a control freak is exactly why I self-pub, it's hard work but rewarding and fun! I'd love to have you over for a bit of promo when you're ready!!! π
Also? I love that quote. Very very true!
Tamara Narayan says
I'm looking forward to reading this one. The cover is amazing.
Michelle Wallace says
Congrats on the new book.
I love your covers!
The mountain may seem insurmountable, but at least I have plenty of coffee in the backpack…
Writer In Transit
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Michelle. I'm a bit out of breath, but you and our other caffeinated cohorts have helped me out a lot.
Lexa Cain says
I loved Andy Roony, but I'm tiiiired of climbing mountains. Self-pubbing sounds so hard and so scary. I love your cover. It's going up on my blog on Friday! π
C. Lee McKenzie says
Congrats on your newest book with Dancing Lemur. That's wonderful, Lexa.
Fundy Blue says
I've seen your cover a number of times as I've been visiting IWSG members today, Lee! Congrats on your latest book! I'm glad that you've been finding the help you've needed as you needed it! I'm certain you have the chops to see this through! You'll get there!
C. Lee McKenzie says
That's very kind of you. Thanks so much for stopping in to say hello.
Lynda R Young says
That's a wonderful cover!! Congrats, Lee.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Lynda. I think I'll invite the designer on my blog to introduce him to those who don't know about him. He's excellent.
Susan Gourley/Kelley says
That is a terrific quote. Your cover is everywhere!
Susan Says
C. Lee McKenzie says
The support has been very special.
H.R. Sinclair, Southpaw says
Congrats! I've been seeing you cover everywhere and I love it.
C. Lee McKenzie says
My friends are excellent. What can I say? Thanks for stopping by!
M Pax says
I'm always happy to lend my support. π Never fear asking me. You'll do great.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Mary. Appreciate that.
sage says
Nice cover and I am looking forward to the day I can resume climbing mountains….
C. Lee McKenzie says
How's the healing coming along? Hope well and fast.
Cathrina Constantine says
I love your cover Lee! I plan on getting you on my blog, I hope on Friday. I've been babysitting my little munchkins and time has gotten away from me. Today is my day off and I can hop around into the blogsphere!
C. Lee McKenzie says
You've been one busy grandmother! I'd love to be on your blog. Get those munchkins set and let me know when!
Samantha Redstreake Geary says
I absolutely adore your cover! It looks like movie poster–very eye-catching!! I'd like to pre-order a signed copy, so let me know the best route to take!
The Discovery of Dragons and Parallels
C. Lee McKenzie says
I've just been thinking how to do that signed copy thing. I see a lot of authors are doing it, so I'll be investigating. Thanks for the support today. You know I appreciate it and I appreciate my Biltmore mug each morning I sip my beverage of choice, too!
Beverly Stowe McClure says
Looks like you're doing a great job. Anything else you need, just holler. I still need to post the review a couple of places. Ties string around finger.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I have so many strings on my fingers these days that I've lost track of what they're supposed to remind me of. π
Stephen Tremp says
I'm planning for major promo stuff and finishing a book this summer. That means I'm taking the summer off from blogging. Except for IWSG. I don;t want to lose my spot at number 4.
May 2016 IWSG Co-Host
May the 4th Be With You
Stephen Trempβs Breakthrough Blogs
C. Lee McKenzie says
A cherished spot indeed. Good luck with the new book.
Julie Flanders says
Wow I love that quote from Andy Rooney. Never heard that one before.
I've no doubt you have the chops to get this book out in the world! And congrats on completing another A-Z. π
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks for the vote of confidence. I welcome all that I can get! I feel as if I haven't stopped the AtoZ yet! Aren't there more letters?
Bish Denham says
You are a champion for sure! And, as generous as you've been in helping others, it bound to come back to you.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Bish. I learned generosity from people like you! I'm not just saying that to return a compliment, either.
Chemist Ken says
I'm glad you received the help when you needed it. And your cover looks nice and professional. What more can you ask?
C. Lee McKenzie says
Not much! Just a good night's sleep.
Chrys Fey says
That cover is awesome! I'm so glad you stuck through it despite the insecurity monster. The price for the paperback is a good deal. I'll be ordering one. I know my nephews will love this book. π
C. Lee McKenzie says
It's hard to decide on what price to set. Too low–people don't value the book. Too high–people say "What?"
Joylene Nowell Butler says
I'm thrilled for you, Lee. I'm sending this to my network. The cover is awesome! I love it. You're going to do wonders with this book. You're a pro. You're invincible! You go, girl!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Joylene. I'm working on pro-ness. I still feel like I just started all of this. Great to have you here today.
nashvillecats2 says
Congratulations Lee on your forthcoming book.I wish you all the good luck with it's sales.
Yvonne.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thank you muchly! Keep those poems coming.
Olivia Rose says
Congrats on your upcoming release! Great cover.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Hi! Thanks for stopping by. Great to have you here.
Misha Gericke says
It's definitely easier to just let a publisher handle publishing. But then, I found that doing so wasn't a particularly worth-while experience.
C. Lee McKenzie says
It's all a game, right? Just play and enjoy.
Gwen Gardner says
Congrats on your upcoming release! I just tweeted. I love the blogging community, everyone is so helpful. You'll get through this, Lee! It's a lot of work but you got this!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks for the Tweets! And thanks for the encouragement.
Juneta Key says
Cheering for you. You are going to do great. The cover is wonderful. Wishing you much success.
Juneta @ Writer's Gambit
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Juneta! You're a super writer-supporter.
Patricia Lynne says
You haven't emailed me the details for the cover reveal so I can blog about it.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Did! Glad for the kick in the you-know-where!
Kelly Hashway says
I love your cover! Congrats!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Kelly.
farawayeyes says
Definitely climbing that mountain. Thanks for the encouragement. I hope I can do it.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Stopping is the only guarantee of failure.
Loni Townsend says
Congrats, Lee! That's awesome that you're stepping out. Your cover looks great and I wish you tons of success.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I appreciate that, Loni. Thanks so much.
emaginette says
Love the cover. I'm sure you'll get there with all that support. π
Anna from elements of emaginette
C. Lee McKenzie says
We'll see!
Donna K. Weaver says
I love your cover! I also loved when my publisher did most of it for me and held my hand. Oh, well. They closed their doors. I have to do it myself now. π
C. Lee McKenzie says
Ah yes. The old I had a publisher and now I don't trick! Happens. Good luck, Donna. Enjoy the fun.
Christine Rains says
I know about those battles with ones control freak. You can do it! Keep on pushing forward.
P.S. I still can't find out why the image of your cover doesn't show for most people on my blog. It works fine for me. Maybe the type of browser people are using? I use Firefox.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Who knows. But Bish had the same issue with the image. Once again, I'm flummoxed by technology.
Annalisa Crawford says
That's a stunning cover. Congrats π
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Annalisa.
J.L. Campbell says
Well done, Lee. We never know what we're capable of until we actually do it. Wishing you much success with your new book.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks. And you are so right.
Roland D. Yeomans says
The cover is lovely. And like you, I found the blogging community fantastically supportive. Love the Andy Rooney quote.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Roland. I know you've just gone through a lot of this!
Pat Hatt says
Awesome cover indeed. The cat's ocd makes him a bit of a control freak too lol
C. Lee McKenzie says
Cats are always in control, so I suppose they believe the people they command should look like they are, too!
Natalie Aguirre says
That quote is so true and I'm climbing it. Even if you had a publisher, the reality is that you'd be doing much of this work. Love your new cover!
C. Lee McKenzie says
I know it's hard work either way. It's just sometimes good to know someone else is out there with some back up just in case you blow it.
L. Diane Wolfe says
It's a wonderful cover.
You know you probably will do it again.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I need a different support group for helping me to STOP! π
Crystal Collier says
I so much LOVE this cover. So much. And I get you about the whole control freak thing. I mean, it's your baby. You should be able to decide how your baby enters the world, right?
C. Lee McKenzie says
Oh yes. And then after I get all that control I gasp! What was I thinking?
Mason Canyon says
Love the cover. From a reader's point of view, I've always been amazed just how helpful authors are to each other. It's wonderful. If only other professionals could be that way.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Yes. It would. We should compare professions vis a vie that support issue.
Nicola says
Congratulations Lee. You're an inspiration! The cover looks great and I'm so pleased you've gained the support when asked. Wishing you a super successful month.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Nicola! I appreciate that.
Yolanda Renee says
Really cool cover! I'm on a break after today, but your book is on the top of my list! But gosh, it looks to me like you've conquered the insecurity demons!
Nice quotes, just what I needed!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Break? I'm so jealous. Please enjoy it doubly and send some of that joy my way. π
Nick Wilford says
Fantastic cover – looks like it's in 3D! We are all going through similar things whether self-publishing or traditional, so that's why most are so supportive.
I feel like I'm still at base camp, but I've got the mountain in my sights!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Making base camp is huge! Congrats on that . As to traditional v. indie, they both have their positives and negatives. Since I've done both, I can speak to each side.
Hilary Melton-Butcher says
Hi Lee – love the title of the book .. and the blogosphere is so helpful … I guess – it's one more practise at getting a self-published book out there, then the next time it's slightly easier … good luck and looking forward to your Reflections – loved the Cuba stories .. cheers Hilary
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks for all your visits during the #atozChallenge. Loved finding your comments on my posts.
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
Awesome cover!
That's what is so amazing about this community – the support.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Indeed it is! And you're one of that community. Thanks, Alex.