Today I'm introducing my Dragon Soldier team over at the A to Z Blogging Challenge and giving the day's advice for enjoying April during the challenge. And don't forget that Wednesday is IWSG posting day.
My mother had many sayings passed down from her mother and grandmother. Every March she would remind that if March comes in like a Lion, it will go out like a lamb. Since we had a bit of winter storm yesterday, I'm hoping the kinder weather shows up tomorrow. March was named for the Roman god of war, Mars. Let's home spring wins the war against winter.
If you were born in the years, 1938, '50, '62, '74, '86, '98, then you fall under the Chinese Zodiac sign of the Tiger. You are forthright, sensitive and possess great courage. Is that you?
Another bit of wisdom from my trusty Old Farmer's Almanac is that it takes three weeks, on average, to form a good habit.
Now for the news that is already going about the internet but how it personally affects me. About three weeks ago, I received a letter from Crescent Moon Press telling authors that they would close their doors at the end of March and return all book rights to authors. I wasn't shocked to hear this as they had become extremely slow at answering emails and other signs.
I decided it might be for the best and decided to query Musa Publishing to take on the fantasy series I had with Crescent Moon Press since they did such a professional job with the series I had with them. To my dismay, on the day my book was to be released by Musa, I received a similar letter and returning my rights to me as on last Friday. This closing did shock me and made a sad end to February. I won't even go into all the frantic rearranging I did for the promotional things I'd planned for that book release.
I bet you can guess what my post will be about for IWSG on Wednesday.
Any Tigers here? Ever heard my mother's bit of wisdom for March? How long do you think it takes to form a good habit? Did you have any worse career news than I did in February?
Oh, so sorry to hear the news about your book. What a disappointment after so very much hard work and planning.
ReplyDeleteI was really down for a few days but so it goes in this business.
DeleteMy Pete is a tiger. And my parents always quoted that adage about March as well. I don't know how long it takes to form a good habit, but I can tell you from experience it only takes once to form a bad habit. This February all is well at work. We've got more help than ever and are about to get to move into the corporate offices. Yea, more room! But last February was brutal. Our system crashed and we lost a whole month and a half! Sorry about your publisher troubles, but perhaps it will end with you in a better place than ever.
ReplyDeleteLife & Faith in Caneyhead
Glad to know it wasn't only my Mom. Those things usually come from a time when they trusted such things. Glad your February is going better than last year.
DeleteSorry you lost two publishers in such a short time. Hope those books can find a home again.
ReplyDeleteYour hope matches mine.
Delete21 days to a habit.
ReplyDeleteSo very sorry about your publishers.
Thanks, Diane. It was a rough month.
DeleteThat is awful with the publishers back to back like that. Such a challenging industry.
ReplyDeleteChallenge is a kinder word than I used when I got those emails, Pat. LOL
DeleteSorry to hear about those publishers closing. You will definitely bounce back, Susan - I have no doubt! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Madeline. Words like yours keep me going.
DeleteI'm a February Tiger. This year is supposed to be good for us Tigers, so I know you'll be fine. My first publisher closed after it had published two of my books and was about pub a third. I had to fight for my rights back and that took almost a year. I'm okay now. You will be, too. It's just a temporary set back.
ReplyDeleteI had a publisher close a few years ago and it took almost a year to get my rights back. It was a nightmare.
DeleteYou're a pro. You'll come out on top!
DeleteWow! A double hit. How does that happen? I'm confident you'll find a new publisher in no time given your record of success so far. Heck...I don't even have a publisher yet. Best of luck!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jan. It did throw me for a loop but I'm going back to the hunt this week.
DeleteYet more reasons for self-publishing to look better & better...I'm at the point of wishing one publisher would revert my rights and hoping the other doesn't pick up the option on my next book. Not that the experiences have been awful, I'm just not seeing what they add to the equation. In the end, I'm sure you'll see that the closings will work in your favor.
ReplyDeleteOne of those closing did a lot for me but the other one won't be missed.
DeleteWhen one door closes, another opens. I have always had a hard time seeing disappointment that way but ... I've heard of some greater souls than myself being able to step back and look at it that way.
ReplyDeleteOh, Ann, I hear you. It's difficult to find that silver lining sometimes or even believe it exists.
DeleteI certainly believe the in like a Lion part. Out like a lamb, though? That would be one mud-soaked lamb around here.
ReplyDeleteYou are right. After all this snow melts we'll need about four straight weeks of sunshine to dry things up.
DeleteI'm the sign of the Rat. Charming, aggressive, talkative. I don't think so, LOL.
ReplyDeleteSorry about your publisher closing. Change is hard, but it can be exciting, too. Yep, that's what I always tell myself ;)
Telling myself the same thing about change, Gwen.
DeleteI was afraid the news was about your publishers. I heard the news on other blogs. Sorry, hon. That's rotten luck. I know you'll rise above it. There are a lot more fish in the sea. As long as you have your rights back, you're still in the game.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Maria. The news did get around pretty quickly.
DeleteI'm a tiger, not sure I possess great courage though. So sorry to hear both those publishing houses are closing.
ReplyDeleteYour tigers are so humble. Thanks for the support.
DeleteSorry about the houses closing.
ReplyDeleteIt's an ouch.
DeleteHow sad and frustrating! I hope things work out somehow for you and those series!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm a tiger :) Not sure about the great courage part!
So many of your tigers don't think you're courageous. And I am frustrated.
DeleteOuch. I'm sorry to hear that. Best of luck finding other fine venues for your work! I shall say a prayer for better days.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Patrick. Checking those other venues. Hope I see you at Pennwriters.
DeleteHa, I'm a tiger. I'm not sure I'm very forthright or possess great courage, though.
ReplyDeleteAnother blogger friend of mine had to deal with Musa closing, too. It's unfortunate. I hope everyone can find new homes for their books.
You sound forthright on your blog, JE.
DeleteMy best friend was born under the sign of the tiger... it shows.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry about your books. They will find a new home, it's just all the uncertainty and disappointment that stink. Within three years, you'll be better set. Just trust yourself.
Thanks for the support, Jennifer. It means a lot.
DeleteI'm sorry to hear about the publishers. I hope you find new homes for your books. I have heard that saying about March, and it's proving to be true at the moment. I am all ready for that lamb part!
ReplyDeleteI want the lamb part too as it's sleeting and snowing outside.
DeleteSad with the publishing houses closing and how it affected you and I'm sure other authors as well. I have heard the March in as a lion, out as a lamb from my mom; it came in as a lion here so let's hope it goes out as a lamb.
ReplyDeletebetty
I didn't expect the lion part to last all week, Betty. Our mothers grew up in the small school of wisdom.
DeleteMy mom used the lion lamb saying and now I do with my kids. I didn't even realize until your post. Guess I'm spreading wisdom :) sorry about the back to back bad news but know I'm an email away. I'm sure you'll find homes for your fantasy book in no time. Spring and better things are coming
ReplyDeleteWe have to pass things like that on to our children or they'll be lost forever.
DeleteI'm a fan of that saying, just because I liked the imagery of the lion and the lamb. I'm so sorry about Musa closing; that's hurting a lot of authors.
ReplyDeleteI hope you find a new home for your fantasy books soon!
Thanks, Tyrean. I'm working on it.
DeleteWow, tough news about your book. Here's hoping your luck improves.
ReplyDeleteI've been working on changing some habits. For me, I think it takes longer. I changed my morning routine, and it took about two months for me to really see the benefit of these changes. Now I'm hooked, but three weeks wasn't enough time.
No tiger here, just the loyal dog!
I found you through the A-Z Blogging Challenge. Nice to meet you!
So glad to meet you too, Nadine. I think the length of time it takes depends on how much difference the new habit is from the old.
DeleteI'm sorry to hear about your publishers. Wow, that sounds really tough. Wishing you the best as you move forward with your books.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I'm a tiger. And like others, I'm not sure about the courage part. Is it a tiger thing to all doubt our courage?
Come on, Tigers. I think you're all braver than you think. Thanks for the sympathy.
DeleteWow. Same news. One shocking. One not. I hope that you find another publisher pronto. Isn't it crazy how quickly things can change????
ReplyDeleteOne did shock me and the other I wasn't even sorry for. Until I realized I couldn't take those books to the other because it was going to close too.
DeleteWhat a shock! I wish you all the best finding a home for your series! A shaky old publishing world we live in!
ReplyDelete