Click through to watch today’s YouTube episode announcing the start of what I’m calling my 90-Day Author’s Assault.
Although this is a short blog today, I’m excited to share the news with you. For the past month, I’ve been working on a host of episodes for my John Irvin, Author Journey series.
For the first thirty days, I’ll be sharing short book trailers for my own works. There will probably be more than thirty by the end of it, because I’m still publishing more books even as this blog comes out!
After that, I have sixty days to share the works of so many of my fellow authors. I’ve already reached out to several author friends I’ve gotten to know over these past couple of years. Some of them are new authors, some have been doing this official authorpreneur business longer than I have.
I’m so excited to share all of this with you.
Although, you just might get tired of seeing me on all your social networks because I’m going to be sharing these posts every single day on every single network.
This is devotion. This is commitment. This is probably also a little crazy.
But crazy keeps the world going round.
Personally, I’m looking forward to seeing what my author friends will be filming for their trailers I’ll be sharing later.
Also, this will run 90 days, which means, it’s going to charge into the New Year of 2021!
Hopefully, the visibility this could bring for my author friends and myself, we’ll be able to have an amazing launch of the New Year for our works.
I do know one thing. Every single episode, I’ll be sharing my team’s GoFundMe fundraiser for the Book Tour in Spring 2021. So, if it doesn’t get on people’s nerves, we’ll probably get better donations then.
And if you know any authors, please, have them shoot me an email at john@johnirvinauthor.com. I have plenty of spots open for the episodes!
If you enjoyed this post, you should sign up for my newsletter! I don’t spam and you can unsuscribe at any time. I only send out emails on Fridays. Sign up here: SIGN UP!
I’m also a Patreon artist–the cool thing about Patreon is it allows people to support artists by monthly pledges which allow the artists to have more time to work on their own passions. Here is my account: PATREON.COM. If you’d like to support me, I would be eternally grateful!
I’ve now been hosting a YouTube channel called John Irvin, Author Journey Series. Check it out at YOUTUBE.COM/AUTHORJOURNEY
You’re probably going to be tired of me or get to know me better and enjoy it…one or the other.
By John Irvin
These past couple of weeks I’ve been working on finishing up my Magic’s Time Split series—as you well know, if you’ve been following. By next week’s blog, I’ll be publishing the final book in that series.
Wait. Take a deep breath. Sigh.
Okay, then it’ll be moving on to new and exciting things. But, I’m not leaving them for good. I’ll be stopping by their corner over on their book page to share goodies with you over the next year and beyond.
It’s amazing how time flies. I feel like I just started this series, now I’m finishing up the tenth book and everything is finally coming together.
Part of me wants to take a break. But, the other part knows, that’s not possible. When I’ve finished this book, I’ll be returning to the Longevity world because there is still so much going on there.
I’d like to take this moment and ask forgiveness for the issue with Book 3, Wandering, in the Longevity series. It was not until after I approved it for print, publishing it on 3 October, 2020, that two weeks later Ingram Spark sent me an email, letting me know the interior hadn’t been fixed to fit the dimensions.
Thanks.
I think my formatter is fired.
Anyhoo, maybe I’ll see if I can figure out how to actually format pdfs and that’ll, not only give me experience and another skill, but also cut down on the publishing costs. That $100—which depends on each book—could be used for something else!
Also, on top of finishing the Magic’s Time Split, I’ve been working on something else. It has to do with what I was originally going to set out to do when I started my YouTube channel, John Irvin, Author Journey Series, last year.
I’ve been feeling like I’ve been neglecting that channel these past few months. Well, not anymore. Don’t worry. Maybe another week and you’ll know what I’m talking about.
I hope last week’s blog wasn’t offensive to anyone. The last thing I want to do is making someone angry or hurt someone else. But, my team and I have simply been wondering what on earth is not getting through to people? What about our GoFundMe Book Tour fundraiser is not resonating?
Are we doing something wrong? I mean, we have one person who has already given hundreds and then there’s a few who’ve given a fifty or a twenty or a ten. One friend even gave $200 in cash.
But, then, there’s those 2,000 plus people that I know on my social networks alone—this is not counting the rest of my team members and their networks.
Maybe there’s something else we should be doing? Maybe we’re not asking right.
We don’t know. All we do know is, we can ask. You have not because you ask not. So, we’re asking, please help us by joining our supporters and launching us to our goal so we can take this Toward the Pacific Book Tour in Spring 2021!
If you enjoyed this post, you should sign up for my newsletter! I don’t spam and you can unsuscribe at any time. I only send out emails on Fridays. Sign up here: SIGN UP!
I’m also a Patreon artist–the cool thing about Patreon is it allows people to support artists by monthly pledges which allow the artists to have more time to work on their own passions. Here is my account: PATREON.COM. If you’d like to support me, I would be eternally grateful!
I’ve now been hosting a YouTube channel called John Irvin, Author Journey Series. Check it out at YOUTUBE.COM/AUTHORJOURNEY
I recently dreamed a wealthy individual learned about my team’s GoFundMe fundraiser for the Toward the Pacific Book Tour Spring 2021 and donated $10,000 to it (which, by the way, is the total goal) and because he did that, several other people ended up jumping on the bandwagon and donating thousands.
Next thing I knew, my team no longer had enough to go on a simple cross-the-country book tour, but instead, we had enough to turn my debut book tour into a world book tour.
The artists on my team became famous like Picasso and Da Vinci, the actress joined the high ranks of Hollywood, and the country guys built cabins and started hunting reserves. Of course, I was reached my life’s dream, becoming a bestselling novelist.
If only life were as simple as dreams.
But, you know, then again, it could be. People always talk about community and helping each other rise to success. That’s what crowdfunding is all about. Ten people give ten dollars and you have a hundred dollars raised.
A thousand people give ten dollars and you have ten thousand.
We then lift each other up. If you have a dream I can support, I share it and give what I can. If my dream is successful and you helped me, I then, in turn, point people to you and invest in you until you’re successful. Then we both look for the next person to invest in and lift them up.
Before you know it, we’re all millionaires inspiring the next generation.
I’m going to be real and vulnerable with you.
I don’t see that among most of the circles I hang with.
Community Support!
No, sadly, the general rule seems to be: overload the person striving for success with so much advice they’re brains are reeling. But when that person tells you about their fundraiser, you ask every once in awhile how it’s doing and when they are honest, letting you know they’re struggling, you simply say things like, “Don’t give up. Other people are struggling, but keep going.” Instead of throwing a ten dollar bill at that person to actually help out.
Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate encouraging words as much as the next guy. But they don’t pay the bills.
I’d also like to point out, there are a few friends who have already donated and I know for certain they’re struggling financially just like me. Yet, I also know, if ten dollars is too much for you, then you really need to rethink your financial situation. I’ve given fifty to my own fundraiser and I’m the struggling author.
Yet, now, I’ve got my first books in a local brick-and-mortar bookstore and people are surprised while others aren’t. You really learn who believes in you when you climb your mountain.
I don’t know, people are just interesting. You have that one friend who gives several hundred dollars to your fundraiser, but you have all those other friends who don’t give a penny.
I know we’re all busy with our own lives and we forget about things—this is one reason I’m posting more and sharing more, because this dream has got to come true come Spring 2021.
I’ve been at this authorpreneur business for four years come December. I’ve published over thirty books now. I’ve built and re-built websites, I’ve built networks, lost them, and am building them again. I’ve tried almost every marketing plan I’ve read about that doesn’t cost money. I’ve ready countless books on how to sell books.
Some struggle, some simply refuse, we’re all humans.
I know, it’s ONLY four years, you say. Yes, I’m selling more copies than I did at the beginning. But still, I’m finding a hug gap between my position and my dreams. I look out among my circles and see friends who have dreams of their own, knowing deep in my heart I want so much to help them. But I’m unable to…yet.
So, please, if you’ve read this far, I appreciate your willingness to bare through all this mess and these raw emotions. I’m not angry at anyone. I really hope this blog didn’t come out sounding like I am.
People have been telling me to open up more, be more vulnerable. I guess, what I’m trying to say is: I need you. We need you. My team and I need your support. We can’t do this on our own. No one can achieve success on their own.
I know this year has been insane, but every year has its insanity. Why not start this holiday season, giving to a community fundraiser? Maybe giving more support this Autumn-Winter time, we’ll be able to usher in a brighter and more successful New Year?
So, if you can spare ten dollars—or maybe even a little more—please click through this link and join our awesome and amazing supporters in lifting us up so we can, in turn, lift others up!
If you enjoyed this post, you should sign up for my newsletter! I don’t spam and you can unsuscribe at any time. I only send out emails on Fridays. Sign up here: SIGN UP!
I’m also a Patreon artist–the cool thing about Patreon is it allows people to support artists by monthly pledges which allow the artists to have more time to work on their own passions. Here is my account: PATREON.COM. If you’d like to support me, I would be eternally grateful!
I’ve now been hosting a YouTube channel called John Irvin, Author Journey Series. Check it out at YOUTUBE.COM/AUTHORJOURNEY
Writers are meant to listen and observe the world around us so we cane have more substance for our writing…
Three mentors, three podcasts…
By John Irvin
I find the more I observe people and situations, the more I have to write about later. People don’t realise the unsaid messages they give off.
At present, I’m listening to three different podcasts to help me along this business journey with my two jobs as writer and freelance proofreader.
Joanna Penn and her “The Creative Penn Podcast” has always had a wealth of information and ideas for this indie author. She’s a fellow indie author who has taken her business to the six figures! I’m always finding goodies on that show.
I’ve been collecting her books as well and claim her as a authorpreneur mentor.
The second podcast would be the “Six Figure Authors” podcast, hosted by Andrea, Joseph, and Lindsay. They’ve been a funny trio, answering questions from their listeners as well as discussing various ideas on how to market your books.
The third channel I have tuned in on my podcast app is Work-At-Home Heroes by Caitlin Pyle, she is an advanced freelance proofreader with a side hustle of helping others enjoy the freedom of the freelance world.
Freelance means Freedom!
I’ve conversed with Caitlin before and find her an encouraging mentor in this side hustle of mine. Her podcasts always have good info to chew on as well.
Speaking of ideas and information, I’ve been considering returning to an every-single-day-blog-and-vlog phase taking my readers to new heights as I advance this blog and my YouTube vlog over the hill.
I’m thinking, after 169 articles, returning to a 90-day run, posting every day, maybe I’ll be able to launch this business higher. The thing is, I need to write all those blogs and film all those episodes first in advance.
Just throwing ideas at the wall right now as I prepare to market my books in the bookstore now as well as that upcoming Book Tour, hope you don’t mind.
Speaking of that Book Tour—the Toward the Pacific Author Book Tour for Spring 2021—we’re making our way to the first milestone and with your help we can get there. You can join our supporters who have already donated and launch my team to new heights!
Click through this link or the picture and it’ll take you to our homepage and you add to our climbing pile as we prepare for an amazing Book Tour this coming spring!
If you enjoyed this post, you should sign up for my newsletter! I don’t spam and you can unsuscribe at any time. I only send out emails on Fridays. Sign up here: SIGN UP!
I’m also a Patreon artist–the cool thing about Patreon is it allows people to support artists by monthly pledges which allow the artists to have more time to work on their own passions. Here is my account: PATREON.COM. If you’d like to support me, I would be eternally grateful!
I’ve now been hosting a YouTube channel called John Irvin, Author Journey Series. Check it out at YOUTUBE.COM/AUTHORJOURNEY
If you have a dream, don’t ever give up on it, like me with my books!
By John Irvin
If you’ve been following my YouTube or any of my social networks, then you would have seen last week—a week exactly from today—a dream came true for me. Three of my thirty published works have made it into a bookstore here in Pensacola, Florida.
Here is the announcement video on my YouTube channel—it’s not too long, just a couple minutes.
Yes, it was a surreal moment in my life that I’ll never forget. Bodacious Bookstore and Café are already my favourite bookstore in town right now. The people who work there are amazing also and understanding too. They seemed to be as excited as I was while we discussed the deal then the manager, Alina, opened a space on top of the bookcase for me.
She’s awesome.
Then, while she stepped away, I got the film for the announcement and went on my way so I wouldn’t scare any customers away.
From what I know right now, we’ve already sold one copy. There are only six copies there for this first quarter. We’re using them to see which books sell so we’ll know for next quarter.
If you are visiting Pensacola or live in Pensacola, I recommend heading down to Bodacious Bookstore and Café, checking out their menu—they’ve got everything from paninis to coffee to soup!
And, of course, they now have three of my books.
Three of my books are in a bookstore!
Alina did ask if any of them were stand-alones or part of a series.
The three books on display are Shattered, the Complete Collection, Longevity, Book 1: Revelation, and StarQuest: A Novel—which itself is part of an Anthology which will be growing next year.
So yes, each one is part of its own world.
Speaking of Longevity, have I announced Book 3: Wandering is out in print today? I’ll have to share the link next week.
Right now, while you’re reading this blog, I’m packing for a trip to Kentucky!
Family trip.
Well, I hope you have an amazing rest of your week and enjoy this share I just brought to the table. Believe me, this is proof that dreams do come true. It can only get better from here too!
Keep chasing your dreams, my friend!
Also, while you’re at it, hop on over to my team’s GoFundMe Fundraiser page and join our supporters so, next year when all this mess is cleared up, we’ll have our total goal raised and I can go on my first Book Tour—which, by the way, will be starting at Bodacious Bookstore and Café since they’re the first brick-and-mortar to take on my books!
If you enjoyed this post, you should sign up for my newsletter! I don’t spam and you can unsuscribe at any time. I only send out emails on Fridays. Sign up here: SIGN UP!
I’m also a Patreon artist–the cool thing about Patreon is it allows people to support artists by monthly pledges which allow the artists to have more time to work on their own passions. Here is my account: PATREON.COM. If you’d like to support me, I would be eternally grateful!
I’ve now been hosting a YouTube channel called John Irvin, Author Journey Series. Check it out at YOUTUBE.COM/AUTHORJOURNEY
The longer I go through life, the more I see everything comes in waves, you learn to surf those waves or get pulled under.
By John Irvin
Speaking of waves, this past week has been one sucker punch and one Christmas present back and forth with me.
Okay, some of you who’ve been following me, know that my other job is freelance proofreading. It helps paying the bills while the book royalties can’t for the present.
I also enjoy reading and I’ve always been a secret grammar police. Here lately, it’s been less than secret.
Well, I started the freelance proofreading business back when I left my pizza delivery job in February. The official start date was New Year’s Day of 2020.
Thing is, I use an iPad for that work and basically the whole proofreading persona in order to keep it separate from my author persona. Having the iPad has been a blessing and a half and made life so much easier.
By the way, if you’re a writer and need an extra pair of eyes from someone who cares about words, you can check out my website at IrvinProofreading.com or go to my Fiverr profile for some steep discounts: www.fiverr.com/irvinproofreade
That being shared, because of Covid and a slew of financial setbacks, I’m having to return the iPad for now. It hurts, y’all! I’ve had the thing since December 2019, so yeah, tough setback there. But, you roll with the punches.
Then there’s the positive. Saturday morning I got the confirmation from Bodacious Bookstore and Café here in Pensacola, Florida that I can come in on 27 August and hand in the consignment paperwork along with copies of three of my printed books! That was amazing. I felt things were finally happening.
Honestly, having my books in actual brick-and-mortar bookstores has been on my wishlist for years! Now it’s about to come true. If they sale great, then the consignment will renew with better conditions and also, perhaps I can take this new ammo to the other bookstores in town who’ve rejected previously!
Things are looking up in that direction.
I’m also hoping, with those facts, people will see that I’m actually serious about this whole thing and actually start donating to the Book Tour fundraiser over on GoFundMe! We have almost $9,000 to go. You could really help out with that part of the dream by sending us a gift.
So, basically, life comes in waves. There’s the ebb and the flow and the mountains and valleys. You learn to roll with them. Be willing to let some things go while better things come in.
You trip, you fall, you get beat up, but what you do is: never give up.
Until next week, y’all have a great life.
If you enjoyed this post, you should sign up for my newsletter! I don’t spam and you can unsuscribe at any time. I only send out emails on Fridays. Sign up here: SIGN UP!
I’m also a Patreon artist–the cool thing about Patreon is it allows people to support artists by monthly pledges which allow the artists to have more time to work on their own passions. Here is my account: PATREON.COM. If you’d like to support me, I would be eternally grateful!
I’ve now been hosting a YouTube channel called John Irvin, Author Journey Series. Check it out at YOUTUBE.COM/AUTHORJOURNEY
