A few of the new things happening at IWSG recently that you should be part of. If you haven't joined our Goodreads group, please hop over there and join.
Don't forget the upcoming IWSG Twitter pitch happening this July. Very, very excited about it. And if you'd like some practice, check out #TKA20, a pitch session happening TODAY for The Knight Agency. Practice your pitch to agents.
Today's question: Have you taken advantage of the annual A to Z Challenge in terms of marketing, networking and publicity for your writing? What were the results?
I participated every year except the first year and this year. My intentions were all about networking. I never marketed or promoted my own books during the challenge. I think I expanded my network more the first few years I participated than the last two years. The challenge took up too much of my writing time for me to continue to participate.
The new book I started writing on Sunday for the 50/50 challenge is going well. I like my characters and they're really hating on each other at the moment. Makes for good conflict.
Almost nothing I want to watch on TV this week so I'm getting lots of evening writing done and outside work during the day. My bulbs mostly survived the late snow and I have tons of daffodils blooming and the tulips are up. They might bloom right at Easter.
We're doing our taxes this weekend. We never hurry to do them because we always owe because my husband and I are self-employed. The amount varies greatly due to the ups and downs of his business more than mine. My income lingers in the pathetic range most years.
“What is the difference between a taxidermist and a tax collector? The taxidermist takes only your skin.” –– Mark Twain
“When it comes to taxes, there are two types of people. There are those that get it done early, also known as psychopaths, and then the rest of us.” – Jimmy Kimmel
Are you ready to try a Twitter pitch today for the Knight Agency? Are you doing A to Z this year? Ready for some fun with at Goodreads group? Did you do your taxes yet?
Have to share this with you, Susan. Can't remember where I read it:
ReplyDelete"Taxes? Blah! Fined for tax evasion? What bloody nonsense.
A fine is a tax for doing wrong.
A tax is a fine for doing well."
Happy IWSG Day!
Writer In Transit
Wonderful post Susan, my how time is flying by.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
My income is generally in the pathetic range. Such a great feeling.
ReplyDeleteGlad your new book is going well. Happy writing!
The last two years haven't been as good for networking as in the past.
ReplyDeleteWe were split this year. Owed one, money back from the other. Go figure.
Glad to hear the new book is going well!
ReplyDeleteI love spring flowers. I can't seem to grow them, but at least I can look at them. :)
That is good about the new book getting a great start. We did our taxes early but we knew we were getting a refund. In years past, we always waited until the last week to do them even though we haven't had to pay for a few years.
ReplyDeleteBetty
I'll have to peek in on that pitch.
ReplyDeleteSelf-employed usually mean you owe.
Hey, Susan,
ReplyDeleteGood job on getting some writing done.
Hope you get the taxes done soon.
TV doesn't get in the way of my productivity. League of Legends does. I need to do better about using it just as a reward for getting writing things done. lol
ReplyDeleteI think Mark Twain said all the great things in the best way and we can't improve on any of it!
ReplyDeleteSince blogging is about the only writing I do these days then A to Z helps increase my writing which is a good thing for me. I do need to write other things than blog posts though--or maybe not need, but should.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was self-employed after deductions my bottom line always looked like I was making virtually nothing. There can be a great advantage to being able to take those business deductions.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
As blogging diminishes in popularity, the A to Z is definitely less effective than it used to be. At least, that's been my observation. Still fun though. Just too much. =)
ReplyDeleteThere really isn't anything on TV right now. A good time to write! :)
ReplyDeleteDid everybody's taxes as always. Mine lingers in the pathetic range this year too lol A to Z doesn't seem to be as good at networking as it used to be.
ReplyDeleteHi, Susan.
ReplyDeleteThankfully Taxes DONE... lol. I did four A-Z's and like you found the first two more fun and fulfilling.
You're right about TV lately... definitely a good time to write. I should do some myself... If I could just get motivated enough to do it.
The KNIGHT AGENCY is having a TWITTER PITCH? Need to find out more about that. COOL...
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI am almost complete with my first book, and have seriously started thinking about the marketing and networking opportunities, I have with people in the WEP and in the IWSG.
Hope you get your taxes quickly.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat
You have flowers? There's nothing around here. Everything's still in winter mode.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your taxes. You might need a stiff drink to get through them.
We were supposed to get our taxes done weeks ago. Oy!
ReplyDeleteThis weekend for sure.
Evening writing and outside work sounds pretty good. As for me, no on the A/Z game, as I'm not a big fan of that game.
ReplyDeleteYes, i am doing A to Z, as i post daily anyway. My taxes are with the accountant (i hope he got the stuff in the mail on Monday) and it's all over but the paying.
ReplyDeleteJust finished our taxes for last year. We always run close to the wire. I'd like to get them done early so I can forget about them, then life happens...
ReplyDeleteGreat post this month.
ReplyDeleteI am to AtoZ Challenge this year, and it is centered on my upcoming book, Character Astrology Profiles. I'm hoping it helps writers make more complex characters. It's the first year I've used AtoZ for marketing purposes.
I put off taxes until the last minute this year too. They're not that hard to do, but for some reason I resist. I guess I'd rather be writing.
ReplyDeleteI'm a last minute filer too. This is an area of resistance for me. I always dread it but after I do wonder why I procrastinated.
ReplyDelete' Juneta @ Writer's Gambit
Hi, Susan,
ReplyDeleteMe again. I just had to drop by and THANK YOU for mentioning the KNIGHT AGENCY Twitter pitch.... I was PICKED!!!!! I just sent out my query and first three chapters.I will be FREAKING until I hear something. This is the FIRST TIME EVER an agent was interested in one of my twitter pitches. The third one nailed it. I almost didn't post it. SO glad I did now. Thanks again!
This made my entire week! I am so excited for you!
DeleteThanks SUSAN!!!!! I am anxiously waiting to hear back from the agent. UGH... I hate waiting! Also realized...after the fact, that I had two typos in the query and one was in my pitch! LOL... Don't you just hate that?! Let's hope that won't be too big a deal... it's the writing that counts and my chapters were very clean. THANK GOD! I'll keep you posted. A week and counting....
DeleteThe late hard freeze after no winter froze back my fig and pomegranate tree. The fig will grow back but I don't know about the pomegranate.
ReplyDeleteEvening time is a good time for writing. I'm busy with taxes this week. I hope to get them done soon.
Hey, I'm a psychopath! Or actually, I'm married to one. I love that my husband does our taxes. I find it hilarious that he declares my meager dollars from book sales as income. Whatever.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to seriously rethink this A to Z thing next year. It is great for networking, but is that worth losing another month of writing time?
E is for Experiment: Turning the USS Eldridge Invisible
I'm skipping the A to Z again this year. This is the year I take back all the time I've been spending on other things and focus on writing.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I used to do our taxes early ... and then, we chose some more complicated, self-driven projects and now we do them slowly. Love those tax quotes - especially Twain's.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes on your daffodils!
Our daffodils came up in late March because it's warmish and rainy here - despite a snow day in early March. We had 72 days of rain in a row - not recommended for/by anyone, even those of us who have been crazy to live in Washington state our whole lives.
No A-Z for me. I don't feel I have the time to do it well, so as usual, I'm a cheerleader. Hope you see spring flowers soon.
ReplyDeleteI'll put something together. I'm also looking into other avenues but hey it doesn't hurt to try pitching agents on Twitter as well.
ReplyDelete