Monday, July 01, 2013

A Fresh Start

A couple of months ago, I was burned out. Two blog tours in March, followed by the A-to-Z Challenge in April? Yeah, not a good idea. It led to a two month blog hiatus that I thought would give me a chance to relax and regroup. Instead, life threw me a curve ball. 

Due to unforeseen circumstances—which, for the record, were no reflection of sales performance—my publisher and I have parted ways. This prompted a major decision: I’m going to self-publish Strength and all future titles in this series. That marketing/design background might as well come in handy for something, right? Onward and upward!
  • July 15th - The cover for Courage (Mark of Nexus #2) is revealed. Would you be interested in helping? Sign up here!
  • August 16th - Strength (Mark of Nexus #1) goes down on retailer websites.
  • August 19th - Strength (Mark of Nexus #1) is re-released on sale and featured by W4W. I’ll be going back to square one, so please help me rebuild! Ranks, reviews, and all that jazz. ;)
  • August 23rd - Strength (Mark of Nexus #1) 99¢ sale ends.
  • October 15th - Courage (Mark of Nexus #2) is released!

And there you have it! :) Tell me, how have YOU been?


Have a great week, guys! ♥

P.S. Two milestones last month:
  1. So, You’re a Writer had its second blogiversary.
  2. We hit 500 members on here AND on Facebook. 
I know we haven’t celebrated yet, but I’m definitely going to plan something. Let me know if you want to donate a book, critique, swag, etc. to the giveaway. We’ll have a big virtual shindig! 

59 comments:

Anonymous said...

I always loved that saying, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." You'll do great at self-publishing.

Melissa said...

Sorry life is giving you lemons. But - WOOT! - I'm ready to help you make lemonade. :D

(And, tell the truth, Miss Marketing Genius. You had the most successful lemonade stand on the block when you were a kid, didn't you? Lemme guess. You stole all the customers and made the other kids cry. :P)

I'm willing to help in any way I can. Add me to the team! :)

Melissa said...

Google needs to put 'Like' buttons on these comments, like Facebook has.

*clicks imaginary 'Like' button* :)

Stina said...

I'm soooo glad you're going to self publish Strength and the sequel, Carrie!!!

I was wondering where you'd disappeared to. I just thought I was missing your posts. Welcomes back!

JeffO said...

Sorry that you and SSP are parting company, but what do they say about doors closing and opening? I can't commit yet to the cover reveal for Courage; I may be able to, will let you know. Nice to see you back.

Kyra Lennon said...

Burnout sucks! I'm pretty sure I'm still burned out from last year LOL!

Sorry to hear about you parting with your publisher but it's super cool that you can self-publish. Looking forward to the next book in the series!

Juliana Haygert said...

Welcome to the dark side, sister!

Regina said...

Good for you!

ELAdams said...

I'm sure you'll do great at self-publishing! I really enjoyed Strength and I'd be happy to help out in any way I can! :)

Jessie Humphries said...

Unforeseen circumstances happen to me daily! We all get it. My pub date has been pushed back, my editor left Amazon, and drafting is sloooowww! But whatev. It's good to hear from you :)

Clare said...

I'm sorry you were burned out, and then had to part ways with your publisher when you were meant to be relaxing.

Though I am in awe of how awesomely you're dealing with this, and really respect your decisions to go onwards and upwards with self-publishing.

If what I've seen of your marketing and design skills are anything to go by, I'm sure you'll be a huge success.

Let me know if I can help with anything. <3

Tia Bach said...

Wishing you all the best. Isn't it somehow perfect that your book, Strength, will showcase just how strong you really are? There are many of us who have your back and will be there for all the dates above. Looking forward to your Courage reveal!

Dawna said...

Good luck, Carrie. I applaud your decision to take the reigns of your career. It's an exciting time for you. Embrace it!

Sheena-kay Graham said...

Sorry about the parting and wish you best of luck. Glad you've picked yourself up and decided to move on. Definitely signing up for the cover reveal.

Heather M. Gardner said...

This is great news! I'm so glad you are pushing forward. And, you just never know what will happen next!

Best of luck. I will absolutely help advertise any way I can.

Heather

cleemckenzie said...

Man do I relate to this post. Good luck with moving on. Let us see that new cover!

Angela Brown said...

Two thumbs up to you, Carrie. You have the Strength to continue sharing your stories with the world and I'm excited to see you moving onward and upward with Courage. Can't wait to see what you have in store :-)

Carrie Butler said...

That's a great saying, Eric! I'm going to have to put that one on my wall somewhere. :) Thank you!

And I agree, Melissa. I would definitely click 'like' on this one!

Nancy Thompson said...

I'm sorry to be be losing you as a pub-sister, but if there's anyone who can succeed at self-pubbing, it's you. You are the queen of marketing and I wish I had a single ounce of your know-how. Plus, of course, I will repost my Amazon review back up when Strength goes live again. I'm already signed up for the cover reveal, and you know I'll do anything else that comes along, too. If you need an ebook contribution, I'm happy to donate. I know the timing is rough, but you CAN and WILL do this and blaze the path for those of us hot on your trail!

Carrie Butler said...

Thanks, Melissa! :D

Yes, I was the one child who spiked the lemonade. There were people lined around the block...

Kidding! *grins*

Carrie Butler said...

Thank you, Stina!!

I'm excited, but I'm so nervous. At least I'm back in the blogosphere now... surrounded by friends! :)

Carrie Butler said...

Yes, hopefully this new door will prove to be a good one. :) Alrighty. Thanks, Jeff!

Carrie Butler said...

It does! LOL

Thank you, Kyra! I appreciate that. :)

Victoria Smith said...

Hearts you Carrie :D Let me know if you need anything. I know you will be fine. You're one of the strongest women I know and I'm happy to call you one of my NA sistas!!!

Krista McLaughlin said...

Sorry that it didn't turn out, but you definitely have the support of the writing community behind you and we'll help in any way we can. :)

Carrie Butler said...

Bwahahahah... ;) Thank you!

ilima said...

Congrats on the milestones! I'm a little burned out right now and am taking a bloggy break myself. Good luck with your self-pubbed journey...you're going to be great!

Elizabeth Seckman said...

I have full faith in you Carrie. You have so much talent, you could do whatever you want. Heck, maybe you'll have your own imprint one day! Wouldn't surprise me one bit!

Unknown said...

Sounds like the break was much-needed for this next step in your writing life. I second Elizabeth -- your talent will carry you far and we will be here to cheer you on and feel smug that we knew it from the beginning.

Carrie Butler said...

Thanks, Regina! :)

Carrie Butler said...

I really appreciate that, Emma! :) Thank you so much!

Carrie Butler said...

Good to hear from you, too, Jessie! :)

Carrie Butler said...

Thank you so much, Clare! I really appreciate your support. <3 You rock!

Carrie Butler said...

I never thought of it that way. How cool! :) Thank you very much, Tia!

Carrie Butler said...

Thanks, Dawna! I'll try. :D

Carrie Butler said...

Thank you, Sheena-kay! :) I appreciate the help!

Carrie Butler said...

I'm really, really hoping it works out this time. :) Thank you so much, Heather!

Carrie Butler said...

Thank you, Lee! Two weeks from yesterday. :D

Anonymous said...

I'm fully confident that you'll have no problem rebuilding! I'll help you in any way I can. I can donate an ebook and/or first page critique for your blog celebration :-)

Carrie-Anne said...

Good luck with your self-publication plans! That really seems the wave of the future, now that writers are no longer dependent on agents and/or publishers to see the light of day in a respectable, legitimate way.

Carrie Butler said...

Thank you, Angela! I appreciate that. :D

Tammy Theriault said...

hooray on cutting umbilical cords as needed!! remember to save the blood just in case it will cure something down the road...weird? yeah. i'm totally signing up!! i love helping hot damsels in distress...

Carrie Butler said...

Aww, can't we just be pub-sisters once removed? ;) Thank you so much, Nancy! You will never know how much I appreciate your support and encouragement.

<3 Seriously. You rock!

Carrie Butler said...

Hearts you, too, V! :) Thank you so much!

dolorah said...

I haven't had anything published yet but short stories, and no pay on those, so I can't say I've had falling out with publishers.

But, I have two short stories that were accepted almost two years ago and still no word on publication in the listed anthologies. I feel I should just move on - they are just short stories - but I keep going back to the work and effort and thinking I could easily sell them elsewhere. But; what if they are only good for the specific anthology theme written for.

I get where you're coming from in the change of publisher. Slowness and miscommunication can be distressing.

.........dhole

Emily R. King said...

Big decision, Carrie. You'll do great. So happy for you!

Carrie Butler said...

Ugh. I hate to hear that, Donna! My "problem" was neither slowness nor miscommunication, but I can totally see where you're coming from. I think I would have to move on. I don't care how busy someone is. You deserve to hear from them more than once in two years. :(

I hope things work out for you!

Carrie Butler said...

I so appreciate that, Krista! :) Thank you!

Carrie Butler said...

The bloggy break feels good, doesn't it? :) Thank you, Ilima!

Carrie Butler said...

D'aww... thanks, Elizabeth! <3 I appreciate that.

Carrie Butler said...

Hah! Oh, Tammy, you are my kind of person. :D Thank you!

Carrie Butler said...

It was! I just didn't know it. Funny how things work out, isn't it? :) Thank you so much, Julie!

Carrie Butler said...

That would be fantastic! :D Thank you, Jamie!

Nancy Thompson said...

You know, actually, we'll ALWAYS be pub-sisters! We're a team, forever! I couldn't imagine doing this without you. <3

Carrie Butler said...

Thanks, Carrie-Anne! It does, doesn't it? :) Here's to hoping!

Carrie Butler said...

Thank you, Empress King! :D

Michael Di Gesu said...

Hi, Carrie,

I've missed you so much. Glad to see you back! CONGRATS on your decision. You've made the right one and you will do GREAT! I have all the faith in the world in you.

Been crazed, but still hanging in...

Let's catch up soon...

Natasha Hanova said...

You're truly an inspiration to me. Glad we (virtually) met!

Carrie Butler said...

Thank you, Natasha! I'm glad, too. *hugs*