My breakthrough hasn’t come as a big aha moment, more like small inklings that something’s shifting. The quiet moments allow me to clock the shifts. I still don’t know what my purpose is, but that’s ok with me for now.
Excited to hear you’re writing a book!! Good for you. That’s huge.
Thanks Kim! Yeah, purpose is a process for sure. It's not something that can be forced. Kind of like when people say "find your passion" as if that's some cure-all.
I'm behind on posts and just starting to catch up. But somehow, today was exactly the day I needed this pep talk, and it was very helpful. I love, "handle hard better," and, "use your pain for good." Thanks, Chris! And congrats on the book!
I’m glad you’ve kept going - and grateful to you for sharing your purpose, your goals and your journey. Taking our pain and using it to help others is an incredibly important way to cope and be of service to the world.
Powerful! Endurance is such an under-valued trait. I love how you broke it down with the potential benefits. Before I got cancer, I used to run from everything. Getting sick was like the universe sitting me down and telling me to stay. It was a very uncomfortable thing to experience, but ultimately transformative. I love also how you talk about the balance of things, like positivity or endurance, because I also believe too much of anything is bad. Too much endurance, and you stay in situations that no longer serve you because you have a high threshold for pain and suffering. But too little and you give up before (hopefully) getting to the good stuff. Life is confusing and often painful yet if we persevere, something good usually comes out of it. Congrats also on the book! I’ve self-published a few books through Amazon. Feel free to DM me if you want to chat. ♥️
Great post, Chris. Facing the hard things in life is tough, and you really encourage us all to stick with it. I can’t wait to buy your book. I have a few self published ones, but I’m a newby. Will answer any questions I can, though. Thanks for being so open with your readers.
Thanks John! Your books are great. And you'll probably be hearing from me soon! The only answer I have at the moment is that I'm going to have questions 😂
Wonderfully written Chris! As someone who experiences and manages depression, the #1 (clarifying your purpose) is so huge and important as drivers for us to keep going. I also love the line “the longer we stay in the game, the greater the chance that a breakthrough occurs” . Congrats as well on completing the first draft of your book, well done!
Congratulations, Chris! Very happy for you. I've published 4 books independently. Here's my advice:
*Start your own imprint. Use your current DBA or start a new one. You are now a publisher.
*DO NOT under any circumstances go with KDP. Amazon has a way of changing the algorithm as soon as you start doing well. Ask anyone who's been with KDP. There are always one or two happy tales, and the rest are nightmares.
*Do use IngramSpark. I believe they are free now or do NaNoWriMo and get a code to make it free. If you can pay (nominal) to be in the catalogue for bookstores and libraries. And, yes, going through them gets you on Amazon.
*Get your ISBN numbers (buy in bulk). You will need a different one for each version (ebook, audio, hardcover, paperback) and barcodes for physical books (I believe you can get both at Bowker)
*If you have a Mac, use Vellum. I've only used them for ebooks (I first published back in 2006, so I have my template in Word I'm accustomed to for print), and Vellum makes publishing ebooks soooooo easy. There is always always always a quirk with Apple Books if you go from Word to PDF (and you get a human at Apple to help you figure it out). Vellum takes all of that away. I will be using Vellum for future print books. (BTW, I get more sales now from Apple than Amazon. They are not to be underestimated.)
*Getting into a magazine doesn't do much. I wish it did and am happy for anyone who had that experience but my first book was mentioned in Cosmo 2 or 3 times and crickets. Again, I first published yonks ago. Podcasts are the way.
*Followers don't always translate into sales. Sad but true math. Again, happy for anyone who has a different experience. Statistically, it doesn't translate, and that could be due to algorithm f@ckery.
*Be super careful about hiring a publicist. It's a crapshoot no matter what. But, if you want to work with someone, talk to authors they've worked with recently. Anyone can send a press release. If that's all they're going to do, make sure you're happy with the cost.
*HAVE FUN! You're now a published author! That's a big effing deal. So happy for you!!! xo
(PS: While we would all love to have a publishing deal, think about that. Your advance gets parsed out over what usually is a year, you have to earn that back before you see another dime -- and that's rare to do, plus, you have to be fit into their pub calendar and that could be a year or more...rarely less, you don't have wonderful support with publishing and press tours; you have to do most if not all of that work, AND no one EVER audits the publisher. No one. So you won't know if you're getting screwed or not. I learned this from friends who have deals with major publishers and still have to have day jobs and still have to do all the hustling.) xo
Thanks Sandra! I'm definitely going to revisit your comment when I get closer. I'm probably going to have a ton of questions. I don't know what some of these terms mean yet and I'll have to research them. But it's good to know that you've been through the process. We'll be in touch 😉
Call me whenever you need to, Chris! I'm happy to go over anything you need. I'll be honest, the last time I published was 2018, so things change...and yet they stay the same, too. You can start subscribing to the IngramSpark newsletter. Get to know them that way. Same with Bowker. There are a lot of moving parts at some points, but you are meticulous, so you will know doubt master it. xo
Chris, YES to ALL of this. This is so well written and well done. I like how you framed the Two Positive Outcomes. I'm definitely inspired to keep going.
Congrats on the first draft of the book. When you get closer to self-publishing, happy to give you any words of wisdom I have/had.
“The longer we stay in the game, the greater the chance that a breakthrough occurs”. Love this line!
Thanks Kristen!
My breakthrough hasn’t come as a big aha moment, more like small inklings that something’s shifting. The quiet moments allow me to clock the shifts. I still don’t know what my purpose is, but that’s ok with me for now.
Excited to hear you’re writing a book!! Good for you. That’s huge.
Thanks Kim! Yeah, purpose is a process for sure. It's not something that can be forced. Kind of like when people say "find your passion" as if that's some cure-all.
I'm behind on posts and just starting to catch up. But somehow, today was exactly the day I needed this pep talk, and it was very helpful. I love, "handle hard better," and, "use your pain for good." Thanks, Chris! And congrats on the book!
Thanks so much Cherie! 🙏
I’m glad you’ve kept going - and grateful to you for sharing your purpose, your goals and your journey. Taking our pain and using it to help others is an incredibly important way to cope and be of service to the world.
Thank you! 🙏
Powerful! Endurance is such an under-valued trait. I love how you broke it down with the potential benefits. Before I got cancer, I used to run from everything. Getting sick was like the universe sitting me down and telling me to stay. It was a very uncomfortable thing to experience, but ultimately transformative. I love also how you talk about the balance of things, like positivity or endurance, because I also believe too much of anything is bad. Too much endurance, and you stay in situations that no longer serve you because you have a high threshold for pain and suffering. But too little and you give up before (hopefully) getting to the good stuff. Life is confusing and often painful yet if we persevere, something good usually comes out of it. Congrats also on the book! I’ve self-published a few books through Amazon. Feel free to DM me if you want to chat. ♥️
Thank you for your note! I really appreciate this. I love what you said - life IS confusing and painful and good.
I'll definitely reach out re: the books :)
Excited your draft is completed. I am still working on mine. Great article, Chris.
Thanks Susan!
Congratulations on the book, and thank you for writing just what I needed to hear right now.
Thanks Jackie! Glad it helped.
I needed this reminder. Thanks, Chris. And congrats on completing the first draft!
Thanks Katie 😀
Great post, Chris. Facing the hard things in life is tough, and you really encourage us all to stick with it. I can’t wait to buy your book. I have a few self published ones, but I’m a newby. Will answer any questions I can, though. Thanks for being so open with your readers.
Thanks John! Your books are great. And you'll probably be hearing from me soon! The only answer I have at the moment is that I'm going to have questions 😂
A wonderful post. Thanks for this, Chris.
Thanks Barbara!
Wonderfully written Chris! As someone who experiences and manages depression, the #1 (clarifying your purpose) is so huge and important as drivers for us to keep going. I also love the line “the longer we stay in the game, the greater the chance that a breakthrough occurs” . Congrats as well on completing the first draft of your book, well done!
Thanks Jimmy!
Congratulations on completing that first draft!! What a fabulous accomplishment.
And, the advice to keep going is perfect.
Thanks Teyani!
Congratulations, Chris! Very happy for you. I've published 4 books independently. Here's my advice:
*Start your own imprint. Use your current DBA or start a new one. You are now a publisher.
*DO NOT under any circumstances go with KDP. Amazon has a way of changing the algorithm as soon as you start doing well. Ask anyone who's been with KDP. There are always one or two happy tales, and the rest are nightmares.
*Do use IngramSpark. I believe they are free now or do NaNoWriMo and get a code to make it free. If you can pay (nominal) to be in the catalogue for bookstores and libraries. And, yes, going through them gets you on Amazon.
*Get your ISBN numbers (buy in bulk). You will need a different one for each version (ebook, audio, hardcover, paperback) and barcodes for physical books (I believe you can get both at Bowker)
*If you have a Mac, use Vellum. I've only used them for ebooks (I first published back in 2006, so I have my template in Word I'm accustomed to for print), and Vellum makes publishing ebooks soooooo easy. There is always always always a quirk with Apple Books if you go from Word to PDF (and you get a human at Apple to help you figure it out). Vellum takes all of that away. I will be using Vellum for future print books. (BTW, I get more sales now from Apple than Amazon. They are not to be underestimated.)
*Getting into a magazine doesn't do much. I wish it did and am happy for anyone who had that experience but my first book was mentioned in Cosmo 2 or 3 times and crickets. Again, I first published yonks ago. Podcasts are the way.
*Followers don't always translate into sales. Sad but true math. Again, happy for anyone who has a different experience. Statistically, it doesn't translate, and that could be due to algorithm f@ckery.
*Be super careful about hiring a publicist. It's a crapshoot no matter what. But, if you want to work with someone, talk to authors they've worked with recently. Anyone can send a press release. If that's all they're going to do, make sure you're happy with the cost.
*HAVE FUN! You're now a published author! That's a big effing deal. So happy for you!!! xo
(PS: While we would all love to have a publishing deal, think about that. Your advance gets parsed out over what usually is a year, you have to earn that back before you see another dime -- and that's rare to do, plus, you have to be fit into their pub calendar and that could be a year or more...rarely less, you don't have wonderful support with publishing and press tours; you have to do most if not all of that work, AND no one EVER audits the publisher. No one. So you won't know if you're getting screwed or not. I learned this from friends who have deals with major publishers and still have to have day jobs and still have to do all the hustling.) xo
Thanks Sandra! I'm definitely going to revisit your comment when I get closer. I'm probably going to have a ton of questions. I don't know what some of these terms mean yet and I'll have to research them. But it's good to know that you've been through the process. We'll be in touch 😉
Call me whenever you need to, Chris! I'm happy to go over anything you need. I'll be honest, the last time I published was 2018, so things change...and yet they stay the same, too. You can start subscribing to the IngramSpark newsletter. Get to know them that way. Same with Bowker. There are a lot of moving parts at some points, but you are meticulous, so you will know doubt master it. xo
https://www.ingramspark.com/sell-my-book?utm_campaign=E-Commerce&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8pVJi1a4JYGCxVlMM4ySYZy790iowZTzO4cUJulcoRSAeTR1dIuwr3ByLpCPYF30Uvf_g3zXNkR4SsARdBKSDyz1qjAA&_hsmi=316056514&utm_content=316054287&utm_source=hs_email
https://www.selfpublishedauthor.com/?mc_cid=60c4bcaf32&mc_eid=01047c4e70
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Chris, YES to ALL of this. This is so well written and well done. I like how you framed the Two Positive Outcomes. I'm definitely inspired to keep going.
Congrats on the first draft of the book. When you get closer to self-publishing, happy to give you any words of wisdom I have/had.
Thanks Mike! Yes - we'll be in touch!
Life is full of challenges, but "keep going" is key.
We must accept tough times, and be kind to yourself.
All the best with the book.
Thanks Tinashe!
Thanks for this Chris. It came in my inbox on just the right day.
Thanks Peter! My hope is that it would be useful. Glad to hear it was!