Where I've Been

 

Photo by JD Mason on Unsplash

Hi and happy spring! I hope everyone's doing well. 

Apologies for the long pause between posts. I've moved to Substack to do more book-related updates. I didn't want to add this subscriber list there because I've been on the receiving end of a "surprise" subscription and usually don't appreciate it. But if you'd care to join me on Substack for my monthly musings on the writing life (complete with book and sometimes TV recommendations), please do. I'd love to have you! You can subscribe for free here.

I've tried to keep this blog primarily career-focused and so with that I'll share the latest ups and downs.

As I think many will attest, it's rough out there. Several editors who sent freelance work my way were laid off last year. I've applied for a number of full-time jobs and haven't gotten too far. Sometimes I'm not surprised as I know I'm competing against hundreds of applicants (at least according to LinkedIn). On other occasions, I shout at the rejection email, "How are you moving forward with more qualified candidates?! I'm overqualified for this?!" 

An example: I've been writing sponsored content about hearing loss, hearing issues, and hearing devices for an audiologist for the past several years. All totaled, I've created maybe 40 articles. So, in addition to giving me a healthy fear of tinnitus, these assignments make me seem qualified for a writing gig at a hearing device manufacturing company, right? Apparently not. After applying for a full-time content writing job (in the hope of securing decent benefits), at an audiology company, I received an email letting me know they were moving ahead with ... you guessed it! ...  more qualified candidates. Oh well.

So, when the owner of a local bookstore who has been very supportive of me and my work, asked if I'd cover some shifts this summer, I jumped at the opportunity for several reasons. 

A) The thought of being surrounded by books fills me with joy.

B) They've got a fancy Italian coffee machine so I'm learning to make cappuccino and will add this to my resume! 

C)  It's a great excuse to force myself to get off my couch and out of sweatpants. 

D) I'll also be helping plan author and other events and I'm excited to see where this goes.

E) No one else wants me.

I started training a few weeks ago and I've learned that bookstores have lovely customers. No one is in a rush or irritable. So far, it's delightful.

Speaking of books, I have a bit of news. I've written another thriller, which was released in late March ...

... and a romcom, Claire Casey's Had Enough, which has been seven long years in the making, and comes out in June.

Here's a bit more on that....

These projects have kept me pretty busy, though I'd describe them more as a labor of love rather than a get-rich-quick scheme.

While I'd be honored if you'd consider buying a copy, books, like eggs and pretty much everything else in the modern world, are expensive. I'd be just as thrilled if you'd ask your library to order a book or audiobook. 

Thank you so much for sticking with me for these sporadic missives! I truly hope you're doing well!