HAPPY 1ST (SELF)PUBVERSARY TO THE SOUND OF SETTLING!

Can I have my proper book deal now, please?

“I’ve got a hunger
Twisting my stomach into knots…”

One year ago today, I waded into the often-rough waters of self-publishing via Amazon KDP and released my rock and roll love story/ultimate meta-fanfic into the wild after three years of rejections from agents, many of them AI-generated.

I don’t like the word “journey,” but it’s been a lengthy and often frustrating learning experience, to say the least. After the first print version came out with a minuscule font, I spent a lot of time trying to fix it on my own because Amazon Help really isn’t helpful.

Once I got that fixed and people could actually read it, I truly didn’t know what to expect. I loved my story, of course, but all of the rejections had me second-guessing myself. If no agents “connected with the material,” would anyone else?

And then, the rave reviews started rolling in.

Yes, people connected with the story! Yes, they loved my characters! Yes, they wanted a sequel and a streaming series!

Over and over, the reviews said they couldn’t put it down, they stayed up all night reading it, they have crushes on Lila and Grady, and they want MORE!

As of today, I’ve sold 755 copies and I’m very proud of that, but I’m also frustrated because also as of today, I have 117.3K followers on Twitter, which should translate into much higher book sales. However, ol Leon Muskatelle is suppressing my account because he hates women, Jews, and people who tell the truth, and I’m all three of those things YAY!

If you’re even a casual reader of this Substack, you know that I’ve been trying like hell to promote this book because it’s genuinely the best thing I’ve ever written. In the last year, I’ve sent The Sound of Settling to people who have millions of followers on social media, and they’ve accepted it without ever telling their followers about it. I won’t name names, but that’s just shitty.

I’ll never give up on getting a proper publishing deal, especially since I have a follow-up ready to go after so many readers demanded to know what happens next with Lila and Grady.

This is where you come in.

If you haven’t gotten a copy yet, today is the day for you to rectify that. If you’ve never shared any of my posts, this is the one to share. If you don’t want to give your money to Amazon, you can buy The Sound of Settling from powells.com or IngramSpark.com

If you do have a copy, then today is the day to tell your friends and followers about it, regardless of how many followers you have. EVERY sale matters, but every reader matters to me even more.

Last night, I went to the Sexy Liberal tour here in Portland. As a regular on the Hal Sparks podcast, I got recognized by several people who had a copy of The Sound of Settling with them for me to sign! It was so exciting to have people tell me in person that they love my book. One guy had bought it that day in Powell’s because he knew I was going to be at Sexy Liberal. I signed three books! It was like being a famous author for a hot minute!

It’s not about that part, of course. It’s about making more people aware that my book exists while Republicans keep getting book deals for their ghostwritten crapbooks.

Show us some love on our pubversary!

Thank you, I love you!