April wrap-up and a new book release!

 I meant to have this blog post up already, but we are now already a week into May and my newest book release has already gone live 😓 

Writing & Publishing updates

Yes, you read that right. My sixth story, Goddess Playhouse, has gone live on Kindle Unlimited and for some reason I feel really antsy about it. I don't even know why. I finished writing this story last year, as most of my stories were already written and I have been publishing my backlog. But for whatever reason, publishing this one has me fidgety and feeling nervous flutters in my stomach.

This was another story that was completely out of my comfort zone, however, I felt so free when writing it. This was cathartic for me and I know I've said that before about my stories, but I don't know what other word to use to describe how I feel and felt during the drafting process. I guess I'm also nervous because I want people to like this one too. Well, I want people to like all my stories lol. This one just has me feeling particularly antsy for reasons I don't even know.

I am currently working on a new story but I am still not sure if I will publish this as my seventh book or scrap it completely. I keep going back and forth on whether I even like it or not. Some days I do, and on other days, I think it's the dumbest thing ever. Perks of being an overthinking, mildly anxious, introvert who doesn't even like being perceived. But here we are. Here I am lol.

But also! April was the first month that I received a book purchase, whoo! 🥳

Some amazing soul out there purchased the ebook for Sunday Worship, and when I tell you I smiled so big when I saw that. I am so happy that someone wanted my book enough to purchase it. I know that my books are ebook only and are unfortunately exclusive to Amazon KDP since I don't really have an audience right now, but even with KDP exclusivity, someone chose to buy the ebook.

Thank you, whoever you are out there.

What I've been reading & my growing TBR

I finished reading The Swan's Daughter by Roshani Chokshi and it was an enjoyable read. It was whimsical, it was fantastical, it was weird, and honestly just everything I was looking for in the moment. There were some things that I do feel could have been better, like the romantic development between the two main characters. But I still enjoyed myself. I rented it from the library and I can see myself purchasing my own physical copy. I also really like the book cover and would love to have it on my shelf.

The other book I was reading last month, Inheritance by Nora Roberts, is very slow going and I'm bored. This is the first Nora Roberts book ever that I will be completing and I really do wish I liked it more. I think it's supposed to be a cozy, paranormal mystery, but the story is so slow going that there's no tension whatsoever even when spooky things are happening. I'm also annoyed by the bland relationship between the main character, Sonya, and the guy she likes. It's sooooo dry, yet the writing is trying to convince me that the two of them have chemistry when they don't. Their relationship is nothing more than a dry middle school level crush mixed with adult lust and nothing more 😒. I'm trying to finish the book because I only have a third of it left, but things are sloooowww.

My TBR list has been steadily growing though! Three books that I would like to read soon if I can find them at my local library are The Secret Crush Book Club by Karmen Lee, Where There's Smoke by Aricka Alexander, and I Live To Serve The Witch by Jacque Aye. I don't know much of anything about these books other than what I've read in the synopses, but they caught my attention and have landed on my TBR.

Publishing income

For April, I got paid for how much I made in February which was not much at all. I made around $5.77 which is an increase from January, so that's nice. $5.77 isn't much of anything, but it's still nice to see that there are some people out there who are reading my stories.

My income just recently finalized for the month of March but I haven't logged back in to check what the amount is. I do know that the total was a little over $7. it makes sense that the total is going up month to month since I am publishing more stories so people have more to read. My stories are also short, so the Kindle page reads will always be low, resulting in tiny amounts of money, until I decide to write and publish longer books. Kindle reads for short stories is literally pennies.

Once I surpass $10, I probably won't be giving writing income updates anymore, because it's really not that important lol. I'm just still in the newbie happy stage of "wow random strangers are actually reading my book omg!" phase of self-publishing.

Social media stuff

I started an Instagram account, though it pained me to do it, and I have a Youtube channel now too. I still don't know what to post so it's going to be rather slow and sporadic for me. I'll post short updates whenever I feel the need and leave it at that, and for Youtube, I'm only going to be posting Shorts.

I am in no way trying to be the next author-influencer. No shade to anyone. Sell your books and get your coin, girl! That's just not my style. I'm more reserved yet long winded which is why I have a blog when people don't even read blogs anymore lol. I also hate the idea of being on camera and performing for an algorithm 🤷🏾‍♀️

What's next?

I would like to get an author landing page and if not that, then a full author website. I think the landing page would be the easiest for right now. Especially since I still don't even have that many books out, nor do I have a reader following at the moment. I am currently researching which apps or companies offer the best landing pages.

I am also going to be taking a break from book releases. I have been going strong for 5 months now, since January. Not only have I run out of backlog, I am just not that fast of a writer. So I am slowing down because I do not want to burn myself out, especially so early in my journey. I am still working on a story and I would like to have it finished by August at least. Is that a definite time? No. When it comes to my creativity, I don't work well under rigid deadlines. School work or projects from my job? No problem. A story that I'm writing from scratch from my own imagination? Absolutely not lol.

So, that's it for this wrap-up! Thanks for reading if you made it this far. Thank you also if you've read any of my books. I'm off to get back to work :)