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Tag Archives: AmWriting
Faces Unknown: My Short Story Of the Week
Besieged: My Short Story Of the Week
Thanks To Dayna Schickedanz and Barnes and Noble
I wanted to take a moment and thank Dayna Schickedanz and Barnes and Noble for the wonderful event they organized. I had a fantastic time, met several new people, and thoroughly enjoyed myself. Dayna and the employees at Barnes and Noble were extremely accommodating and truly went above and beyond, especially in regards to promoting the experience. As you can see in the pictures below, they gave it their all!
Thanks also to the friends and family who came out to support me. Seeing your kind, familiar faces set my nervous heart at ease. I especially appreciate my in-laws who stayed home with my youngest child who was getting over the croup. This allowed my wife and other daughter to attend, which meant the world to me.
If you couldn’t make it, no worries. I received so many well-wishes via social media and regrets — I didn’t expect anyone to personally explain why they couldn’t attend, but I still appreciated the gesture! There will always be another event, and you will always be invited to attend … whether you like it or not!
To those of you reading Andropia for the first time, I hope it resonates with you. I hope it speaks to you the way it spoke to me as it demanded to be written. I hope it inspires you to never stop asking questions, to cherish your independence, to celebrate your identity, and to demand answers from those who would prefer you remain uninformed.
By the way, if you think the poster they made for the event is awesome, that makes two us. I said as much, so they let me take it home. Pretty cool, right?
Let’s Make This Book Reading About You
Our local Barnes and Noble invited me to conduct a book reading tomorrow, and I couldn’t be happier. It’s truly an honor to be recognized by my community.
That being said, I want to make sure I satisfy everyone’s expectations tomorrow. I’ve gotten so much positive feedback about the event that I honestly hope to leave everyone with a great feeling.
Typically, most book readings include a chapter reading (duh!) followed by a question and answer session. Finally, the author sits at a table and (hopefully) signs a few books that people have decided to purchase. That’s my plan as well because it seems to work.
However, I’d love to shake things up a bit.
I’ve given a few readings in my day, and I’ve also attended several by other authors. It’s always a fine line. Keep your reading and Q&A session too brief and you don’t capture people’s interest. Go on for too long and you bore people to death, which prompts their immediate retreat.
As a teacher, I’m accustomed to reading facial expressions. I can tell when I’ve got an engaged audience, and I know when I’m losing everyone. Typically, I react accordingly.
That being said, I’d like to know what you would like to experience while attending tomorrow’s reading. Is there anything in particular you would like to see or hear from an author? Just like with my classroom lessons, I’m always looking for ways to spice things up.
So sound off! Be heard! I would very much appreciate your thoughts in the comment section below …
I can’t wait to see you tomorrow! Remember, the event is Sunday, October 21st, at 2:00 p.m. I’ll be there until 4:00 p.m. Barnes and Noble will have plenty of copies available of my science fiction novel, Andropia. See you soon!
Please Join Me For a Signing At Barnes and Noble This Sunday (Yes, It’s Really Happening!)
I’m so excited to announce that I’ll be at Barnes and Noble in Bloomington, IL, this Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. (Yes, it’s really happening this time!)
Join me for a discussion regarding my 2010 novel, Andropia, followed by a signing. Books will be available for purchase. In fact, if you’re going to have a copy signed, I suggest you buy it. Barnes and Noble might not be too happy if we deface one of the books and then leave it on the table.
You may remember we had to cancel the event last time due to complications with my publisher. However, my friend Jacob P. at Barnes and Noble sent me this picture as proof of the event’s legitimacy …
It will be my honor to see you this Sunday at Barnes and Noble at 2:00 p.m. I hope you can make it!
Nobody Cares About Your Writing … Until They Do
“Why do you think you’re so important, anyway? Seriously, how big of an ego must you have to believe people actually want to read your thoughts? It’s not like you’re an expert, right?”
These are ruminations we all have when we try to write–myself included. The truth is, this can feel like a futile, pointless endeavor at times, especially if you’re struggling to find a large audience. I venture to guess that many of us have considered calling it quits–again, myself included.
So why do we keep writing?
That’s the real question, isn’t it?
I can only speak from my own perspective, but I believe many of you will share my outlook. I keep writing for two very specific reasons.
The first reason is that I’m stubborn. I like to write, damn it! I enjoy this process! Is it time-consuming? Yes! Frustrating? Yes! Hard! You bet! But, believe it or not, it brings me joy. I like creating. Watching words flow from my fingertips onto the page is a magical, thrilling experience. Quit writing because I’ve yet to find a broad audience? No way! There’s no quitting, but there’s plenty of stubborn.
Secondly, I firmly believe I will one day catch on. I’ve got a small, loyal following, and those wonderful people help to keep me on track. It never fails–when I’m feeling down, I’ll notice a new, positive review, or I’ll have a kind remark sent to me via social media, on this website, or in an email. If this small group of readers, whom I deeply respect as an intelligent audience, if they find something redeeming about my writing, then surely more people will, too. I honestly believe that.
So, yeah, right now, relatively speaking, nobody cares about my writing. But one day–one day–I’ll be an overnight success story. Never mind this overnight success is currently on its thirteenth year.
Nobody cares about your writing … until they do.
And when they do, all that time, all that effort, all that heartache, all that passion–it will all be worth it.
So believe in yourself.
Keep writing.
Write your reviews, your songs, your opinion pieces, your fiction, your editorials, your poetry, your plays–write and never quit!
Because they will care about your writing.
It’s just a matter of time.
Believe in yourself, and they will soon believe in you, too.
(Did you enjoy this article? Check out Scott William Foley’s latest book HERE!)
Dr. Nekros: Book Three Is Live! Download Your Copy Now On Nook Or Kindle
In this last book of the Dr. Nekros saga, you will experience reunions, betrayals, final confrontations, reappearances, deaths, and reconciliations. Every epic must end, and so concludes that of Dr. Nekros, Zetta Southerland, and the demon Xaphan.
A Short Video About the Kindle and Nook Apps
Ready to download after watching this helpful video? Just click the links below and enjoy Dr. Nekros: Book One!
Dr. Nekros’ First Review Is In!
Thanks so much to Jen Weaver! She not only wrote a very flattering review regarding Dr. Nekros: Book One, but she also managed to be the first ever to do so! I am so appreciative that she took the time and effort to say a few words about my book.
If you want to read what she said, click HERE!
SCOTT WILLIAM FOLEY 