My 12th book comes out this summer: Mightier Than the Sword: Rebels, Reformers, and Revolutionaries Who Changed the World through Writing.
Facing my Fears
Twelfth. With eleven books behind me, you’d think this marketing stuff would be easy for me. I wish. I am still more comfortable writing a book than marketing it.
But I believe in this book. I want children to read about these people who used their words to change the world. And if that’s going to happen, I need to break through my fears and ask for help.
Every day, I am asking friends to take time to read the book and champion it with their friends.
I am writing to people I’ve never met and asking them if I can appear on their blog.
Here’s the miracle: people say yes. By the end of the day, I’m often in tears because I am so grateful that people I don’t even know would help me.
But there are tough moments, too. Sometimes people say no—people I had hoped would help.
The “no” holds lessons, too.
+An early “no” taught me that my pitch wasn’t quite right—and refining the pitch led me to a “yes.”
+Another “no” reminded me that I needed to approach the right places.
+A third taught me that sometimes people say no, and you’ll never know why.
The Key to Acting Courageously
Writers, it takes courage to write, share, and market your work.
I have discovered the key to overcoming my fear: service. When I remember WHY I am doing this, I can act with courage. Even when I am afraid. Audre Lorde said it like this:
When I picture the young people this book will help, it’s easier to ask.
When I remember that this book is NOT about me, but about giving hope and encouragement to the future police officers, poets, representatives, activists and more—then I can share my message.
When you feel afraid, writers—ask yourself: what is my purpose? Who do I serve?
See if that changes things for you. It did for me.
I need your help.
I still need your help spreading the word.
+Please mark my new book as “to read” on Goodreads and add it to your Amazon wishlist.
+Think about reading and reviewing an eArc of my new book, Mightier Than the Sword: Rebels, Reformers, and Revolutionaries Who Changed the World through Writing. If you’re interested, send me an email, and I will get you a copy.
+Finally, if you want to be part of the launch team, let me know.
To creative courage!
Rochelle
