A Farewell and a Favor

Two things happened last year, maybe three, that changed everything. When I say everything, I mean every… single… thing. I am changed, my life is changed, my family is changed, my home has changed, my career, my relationships, my faith. EVERYTHING.
These things: death and dreams coming true, forced me to face the point of life, or at least the point of mine, head on. The collision of real dreams and real nightmares at the same exact time, caught my face in its hands and forced me to take a good long look at my life… where I’ve been and where I’m going.
It’s time to clear some things up and out of my life.
After all… there is a time for everything. It’s the time and season for me to build a new life and of course, my writing didn’t escape my review...
Dave Ramsey, a financial guru, counsels people to never make major decisions immediately after the death of a loved one. I’m still feeling my way through the first year of great loss but somethings are more clear than ever. One clear thing that emerged is my love and need for writing. It is a form of therapy as much as entertainment. Playing and processing with written words… that, yes that, is so necessary for my health and well-being.
Equally important is sharing what I write. Save for diaries (which I haven’t written since I was in high school), I’ve never written for myself alone. The stories or words are prayers to God or avenues to connect with others. I want to share my words and worlds and stories. I want to inspire raw, honest emotion.
But… I don’t want to market...
I had, please note the past-tense… HAD… I had a dream to live by my pen. I wanted to make my living writing stories that others would want so badly they’d pay enough to support me financially. Although I am not opposed to that happening, I have been at this long enough to know I would have to sell at least 15,000-30,000 books a year to make a modest income. Apart from a sales team (that would also need to be paid from my book sales), an inventory of over 100+ books, statistical anomaly, or Divine Providence it’s just not realistic. This dream, I think, is just fantasy.
I don’t have the drive to sell books. It’s not like that for every author. It hasn’t even always been like that for me, but it is now. Furthermore, I usually read (or listen) to books for free. How can I expect you to buy my books when I don’t buy them either (unless I’m supporting a fellow author)?
My books will remain in various forms but my marketing efforts, in large will not.
I’m searching for balance between sharing what I have with others and marketing what I have to others, selling for profit and selling to provide. Honestly, I’m not exactly sure what it looks like, but I know I’m switching focus. I’m pulling back. I’m reeling in attempts and expenses designed to simply sell. No more Patreon, no more newsletter, probably no more vendor fairs (although sometimes they’re fun to do with fellow authors), no more Instagram, Tiktok… no more.
I’m keeping my personal website, Facebook author page, YouTube, and Amazon platform. I’m going to focus on providing my stories and words to everyone not only for purchase but also for free. I’m going to publish all of my books chapter-by-chapter, on my website and in YouTube videos. I’ll see if I can get them into libraries. I do love the idea of having audio books because that’s my primary way to read new books, so I’ll probably look into that. I’ll still advertise on Amazon to readers who are looking for books, but for the most part I’m going to write and leave the marketing to God and… you!
Here’s where the favor comes in...
Would you please read, listen to, or share my stories. You don’t have to buy them. You’ll be able to find them for free soon enough on my website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel. Share them, read them, stream them, REVIEW them. Please help my stories find new readers!
For what it’s worth… That’s all there is… I continue to write, I close the book on marketing.
If you want to see what I’m up to, check my website: http://www.lucyhdelaney.com/ or Facebook Author Page
If you want to support my craft… you know the drill… review, like, subscribe, share, and comment.
If you want to buy my books and swag find them on my website & Amazon.
All my best to all of you. May the LORD bless and keep you!