Taking a Chance on that Love/Hate Thing

Our topic at the SFF Seven this week is whatever is on our minds.

It’s been release week for me, so there’s not a lot else on my mind. DARK WIZARD released on Thursday, 2/25/21, and it’s been a major ride. And I’m telling you guys the full truth of what happened. 

Battling Author Envy

This week at the SFF Seven we’re talking about ENVY. We’re asking if things have ever gotten weird between you and another author after publishing?

Yeah, they have. And it’s awful and heartbreaking.

You know what else is awful and heartbreaking? Feeling that envy for other authors who seem to be more successful than we are. None of us wants to be that person, and yet none of us is immune from those green crawly fingers of professional jealousy. Come on over for my advice on battling author envy from BOTH sides!

Why Do We Love Our Backlists?

This week at the SFF Seven we’re giving our backlists some love. For those not in the swim of publishing lingo, the backlist is any of an author’s books that aren’t the front and center new release. Come on over to learn why this book is special. 

Celebrating BIPOC Creatives

Our topic at the SFF Seven this week is Promo for BIPOC Artists, Authors, and other Creatives.

I always hesitate to pick one person to talk up, or even a few, because there are so many wonderful BIPOC creators out there. So, instead of feeding you a fish, I’m going to show you a river full of fish. Come on over for the feast!

Should You Reference the COVID-19 Pandemic in Your Writing?

So exciting! DARK WIZARD, Book #1 in a totally new series – new world, new magic system, new everything! – is coming February 25, 2021. You can preorder now.

Available at these Retailers

 

    

Yes, I know I just released a book last week, but sometimes this is how balancing an Indie career with a Trad one works out. Probably we could do a theme week on that topic. Suffice to say, I’d already planned out and begun the Heirs of Magic series, when this book – finished and very sparkly to my eye – was returned to my aegis. I could have sat on it. Or I could just launch this series, too!

You all know me (or you should, by now) – I checked my Gantt charts and decided to go for it.

Our actual topic at the SFF Seven this week is *not* filling the pipeline with projects in order to juggle the demands of a career as a hybrid author. It is, however, not entirely unrelated. We’re discussing topicality and making choices about what to write and publish – “In These times of plague: Writing about the real world in fiction.” Come on over for my advice!

Why Daydreaming Increases Productivity

Our topic at the SFF 7 this week is: Dreamzoning (term from Robert Olen Butler’s book From Where You Dream): Do you daydream on purpose?

I’m not familiar with this book, but I absolutely daydream on purpose! I call it The Dreamthink. Come on over to find out more!

 

A Guide to Discovering New-To-You Authors

Our topic at the SFF Seven this week is Discovering New-To-You Authors: Where would you direct someone wanting to read more from emerging authors in your subgenre?

I’m going to cheat a bit today and point you to an article I wrote for the SFWA Blog: A Guide for Authors on Recommending Books. I’m not cheating for my usual reasons – too busy, running behind, general laziness – but because I really like this article and I think it’s useful for this topic.

Despite the title, it’s useful for readers, too!

That’s because we can all make an effort to diversify our reading, and this article talks about ways to do that – including resources for finding new-to-us authors who aren’t from the usual walks.

Go forth and find cool new stuff!

Career Leveling Up: What Jeffe Is Doing

Our topic at the SFF Seven this week is “Room for Growth.” We’re discussing one aspect of our writing or publishing careers – that we can control! – that we’d like to improve this year.
This topic is apropos for me right now because I’m in the midst of a push to boost (wedge, shove, or squeeze) my career to a new level. Come on over to find out more!

Kicking That Sitting Habit

Happy 2021 everyone!!

First things first: If you haven’t yet read Book One in my Forgotten Empires trilogyTHE ORCHID THRONE ebook is on sale for only $2.99 all month. This is a great opportunity to start the series, as Book Three, THE PROMISED QUEEN, comes out in May!

We’re kicking off a new year here at the SFF Seven and we’re talking writer fitness. If sitting is the new smoking, what are the perils of a sedentary art and how do you counteract it?

That means it’s time for my regular evangelistic sermon on the many virtues of my walking desk!! Come on over to find out more. You know you want to.