About heroes, pub day, and imposter syndrome

and 2 in-person writing opportunities

It was pub day on Tuesday. Memes and congratulations galore flooded my social media.

Aside from an evening workshop, I reserved the day for myself. For Christmas each year, my son gifts me with a spa gift certificate at the luxurious Cavana Spa in Orillia. Not only did I enjoy a deeply restorative facial and a pedicure, my lovely esthetician, Kimberly, suggested I celebrate this momentous day with a Mimosa. So there I was at noon on a Tuesday, gazing out over the snow-dusted hills, feet soaking in a prismed glass bowl of sudsy warm water, with a crystal and gold glass of fresh squeezed orange juice and sparkling wine. And I reflected on the long road I’d travelled to arrive at a moment in time and place such as this. This was my (semi) private moment to celebrate the culmination of several years of labour and effort.

Photo by S O C I A L . C U T on Unsplash

From a young age, we’re counselled not to brag or call attention to ourselves. Now, however, we find ourselves in an era where calling attention to what we’ve accomplished is required. It’s a push-pull kind of thing.

When I had my initial interview with Regal House Publishing they wanted to gauge my intention and capacity to promote and market my book. I could tell they liked my story about how my therapist once called me counter-phobic; that when I’m afraid I tend to barrel straight in, all cylinders firing. And while we’re labelling the various ways I recognize myself, I’ll add that I’m an extroverted introvert. What else? A seven on the Enneagram who wants only to be happy and have fun. This gives you a glimpse of the sort of person behind the creation and promotion of What the Living Do. Slightly unhinged, you could say.

My publicist, Hollay Ghadery, has been phenomenal in getting the word out about my novel, garnering interviews, reviews, and pitching appearances for events. But the lion’s share of the publicity is and has been, my responsibility. It hasn’t been cheap, but I see all this effort, planning, expenditure, and time as an investment. Given the current literary climate, I’m not expecting miracles, but maybe, just maybe, all this splashy, look at me buy my book will garner enough attention to make me attractive to an agent, who will then sell my next books, and who will take on some of this work.

I’ll pause here to offer my spin on Goodreads Giveaways. It’s a LOT of money for NO guarantee of reviews, even though those who “win” the books are supposed to review the thing… the reason for the giveaway, folks… not just to give away books for the heck of it. Books that cost the author around CAD 11.00, plus the packaging, plus the postage: $6.00 for Canada and $15.00 to the US. Multiply that by the number of books you so generously agreed to give away. Oh, and for me, it was 15 books, which cost $199. just to be able to donate. When you do the math and find a few star ratings and no reviews from that endeavour you can see what I’m getting at. My take? Spend your money on a good publicist.

Today my publisher sent me two voice actors to choose from for the audiobook. For me, it was hands-down Mare Trevathan. As I scroll through various titles she’s narrated, I’m impressed by her range. I was a little nervous because I’ve listened to audiobooks that were almost ruined by over-the-top or overly affected narrators. So yay!

This coming Sunday begins my little book tour. If you can’t be at any of the launch parties, you can enjoy Paul Court singing some songs from the book, and listen to me read and then chat with Richard Scrimger via live streaming on YouTube. Just subscribe and click on notify me. My son, Ben will be manning the video so if you have questions at the end, you can put them in the chat and he’ll relay them to me. So you’ll be truly part of the event!

Anyway, I’m proud, thrilled, and terrified. This is a book I finished in the spring of 2015, Regal House acquired in October 2021, and is now out in the world. Now everyone is going to know for certain that I’m a fraud.

Here’s a link to my first review. I may read this over several times!

Today, my writing group wrote to the prompt, “Hero” with this picture:

It made me think about the hero’s journey and how we may each imagine we are the heroes of our own lives. Until just before our first art show, book launch, or performance, when suddenly, we are anything but a hero.

In life, most of us, whether secretly or admittedly, want to be seen, known and loved despite being seen. We want to be understood and loved anyway.

As one writer imagined, maybe the real hero is the one who must reach up and grab that hand. A true act of courage and trust.

I think about writer as hero, and ask myself if that’s why I write; to be seen and understood. But probably not, since many of my stories are darkish and sad, revealing my alter ego or shadow side.

That said, I think it’s time to have some fun; write with a little humour, because in these troubled and troubling times, laughter may be the very thing needed to make it all tolerable.

I thank you heartily for reading my rather self-focused piece. When my feet make contact with the ground again, I’ll endeavour to pen something more you-focused.

In the meantime, if you feel so inclined, I invite you to use the Hero prompt - either the word or the image or both, and see where your pen or keyboard takes you.

Happy writing!

Post Script: If you’re in the Victoria area in June, I’m leading a one-day in-person Write Your Way In writing workshop on the 8th .

BUT, if you want an immersive experience with two brilliant and generous facilitators, I highly recommend signing up for a luxurious weekend at Loretto Maryholme in Ontario with Lauren Carter and Anita Allen.