New website. New Work. Big plans.
the skinny
It's hot out. Pretty much the hottest summer in Oregon, ever. Even the natives are saying it. And in response, our garden is bursting with squash, tomatoes and peppers. Those final weeks of summer are sticky - oozing the last bits of nectar.
I'm on day eight of a cleanse, having joined a wonderful group of women - all of us far-flung, but, thanks to new ways to connect, it's like we're in the same room, sharing our triumphs and failures. (I want to give a shout-out RIGHT NOW to Rachel Pastiloff, the Manifesting Mom whose warmth and encouragement is infectious. Get on her list and do her next cleanse. So worth it!)
The invitation to take inventory, be present, and eat clean from what's growing all around us, is coming at a perfect time for me. My own version of "Spring Cleaning" always happens in early fall - it's the time of year I'm most open to leaps and "big ideas." (It's also the season I've made huge life changes - like moving to Portland and marrying my sweetheart - so there's history of fantastic decision-making in early autumn.)
This year is no exception. Read on, and find out about all the changes in store for moi. There's great stuff in the offing, and much to ponder.
Meanwhile, happy end-of-summer, and please, be sure to take time to enjoy the harvest - wherever you happen to live. (And my Aussie friends - I'm sure you're looking forward to warmer weather, right?)
XO,
new website!
Speaking of clean, I have some news! Though I loved my beautiful old website, alas, it became buggy and cumbersome, so, this past week (while the hub was off on a camping adventure) I locked myself in my office and built a new one. I DIY'd it, but it wouldn't have been possible without this guy's fantastic YouTube help, and migration help from this guy.
My main objective was to clean things up and present a simpler, more efficient experience for the user, plus, have it be visually attractive. Oh yeah, and then there's the whole call-to-action thing - pretty important when you make your living one word at a time. If you have a minute, give it a surf and let me know your thoughts!
but wait, there's more!
So, the publishing roller-coaster, always exciting, never predictable, and sometimes downright puzzling, has tossed me a curve ball. (Roller-coaster AND curve ball? Suzy, your metaphor mixing!) The next (and probably subsequent) Empress Chronicles books will be published by Words in a Hurry - which, you astute friends of Suzy (not to mention the IRS), know is my business name. (Don't look too closely if and when you click on the WIAH website link, by the way, it's another DIY web project, and one that's in the beginnings of production.)
After I processed the news, with the kind encouragement of my agent, along with some wonderful writer/pub friends, I'm realizing that the tasks are not insurmountable. In fact, things are ticking right along: Editor: check
Copy Editor: check
Cover Design: in the works
Interior Design: on deck
I feel pretty confident in announcing the "pub date" as Dec. 1st, 2015! So watch your inboxes for more news on this front, okay?
roxy who?
And, now, here's some news for my more mature readers.
What??? Who is Roxy Soulé, and why has she commandeered this newsletter?? Want to find out more about how I spent my summer vacation? Click on over...(as long as you're over 18).
web marketing for writers
And finally, for you Portland-area writers and entrepreneurs, area web marketer, Jo Lilore, is offering one of his awesome web marketing strategy seminars on WED AUG 26th, from 7:00 - 9:00 pm in NW Portland. It's called WEB MARKETING SUCCESS IN 2015. Despite my "attention-getting" headline, you'll see when you click on the seminar's description that it's not tailored to writers per se, but small businesses and social cause orgs - anyone who uses a web-based forum to share ideas, services, products, words.
I think that it's completely applicable to writers, however, and if there's more of us in the room, we can focus the Q and A around stuff like: selling books (what sort of call-to-action should be used); gaining a following that will become your publishing "street team." That sort of stuff!
I'm totally taking it! Want to join me? He's graciously offering a COUPON CODE for anyone who signs up via my newsletter. Code is save20 and it gives you a sweet discount. Click for info.
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