I love this and I completely agree! I believe that if I reached at least one person with my story on an emotional level, and maybe even showed them a different perspective than they’d seen before, I would be a success. You are a success and such an inspiration! Please keep doing what you’re doing. ❤️
Thanks for these thoughts, Zibby - so true. I am one of the readers who spent hours enjoying your words. Even if you've got color-coordinated swag, it's wonderful to know that looking an appreciative reader in the eyes still means the most! I am about to look for a new agent for my latest MG project and realizing I've been on my writing journey for 10 years now. As another writer friend tells kids on school visits: You have to love writing more than you hate rejection :) Congrats on BLANK and enjoy this special time - Diane
So much good stuff in here! I'm still holding out for a last minute summer retreat on the schedule. I know that's not likely! The acquisitions looks great. And the success thing could just be so endless. I feel this as a podcaster too. There's always someone a step "ahead." But where are we racing to? I'm constantly having to remind myself to enjoy things exactly as they are.
Nina- I do agree with you on someone being ahead. A woman I know said, "If you look to the right or to the left, you lose sight of who you are." Just look ahead, and take one step at a time.
I'm so glad you sent this message out. I often tell writer's that I work with that there are MANY measures of success in this business. How you internalize your own success matters (at least I believe it does).
I’m so glad you wrote about this because I’ve been relaying what you said all week and now I can just share it in your words 😹 also Cali retreat?! Reunion!!!
This is so true. I had the pleasure of being invited to participate in a women authors event last night with our publishing company, St. Petersburg Press. I published my book, Accidental First Lady, 2.5 years ago, and am truly humbled and grateful for each and every new reader. I tell anyone who asks whether they should write a book, "If it's in your heart, do." Our stories are unique, and the world is waiting to hear them.
This is such an important thing to recognize and be said, especially by someone like yourself Zibby! THANK YOU. That is just how I feel. Success as a term is different for all. I wrote about my successful (on my terms) book launch and 6 months later am still feeling great about it. So fun to meet you IRL at HeyMama. Cheering you on Zibby!
I have been writing books and short stories for about 14 years. I haven’t sold thousands of books but I have learned that any feedback from readers is helpful, even negative ones. Mostly, I have received positive remarks. The negative ones have to do with style and that have caused me to rethink my approach.
Thank you, Zibby, for this wonderful post. It brought me down to earth -- and made me remember why I started writing in the first place - the sheer joy of it. This gets sadly overlooked when we're racing to achieve goals.
Although I am now considered by many to be a successful author I felt this way six novels ago, when my debut novel got so much traction with readers and reviewers.
Even now, with my sixth novel launch, I do not read the publisher’s sales figures statements. I honestly do not know what my numbers are. (I just happily posit the royalty checks in the bank.) The true and deepest meaning of success comes from the countless positive feedbacks I get from readers to whom I give hours of thought-provoking and satisfying reading pleasure.
With a grateful heart, I must thank you, Lizzy. I just discovered your work—a lifeline for many writers.
Despite facing numerous rejections and setbacks, I refused to give up on my dreams. It took me a decade to complete "Pretty Girl Complex" and another grueling year for "You Screwed UP!" But with each completed book, the words flowed with more ease and I was able to write four more novels (yet to be published) while reluctantly shelving two others.
As you wisely pointed out, success is not giving up – it's a constant battle of balancing creativity with making a living in this competitive industry. Writing is my passion because it allows me to unlock the door to my soul, but it's also a business that requires determination and resilience.
Thankfully, we are not alone in this journey as writers – we have guides and angels watching over us, and being part of this community has been invaluable. In fact, I recently launched my own newsletter on Substack (https://alicehlidkova.substack.com/) to document my writing and entrepreneurial journey.
My goal is to offer behind-the-scenes insights and golden nuggets of advice to other writers and entrepreneurs, particularly women who are navigating this world. I find women are afraid to get started, or don’t think they can, and by doing IT, I hope to offer my support the way you have offered yours.
I love this and I completely agree! I believe that if I reached at least one person with my story on an emotional level, and maybe even showed them a different perspective than they’d seen before, I would be a success. You are a success and such an inspiration! Please keep doing what you’re doing. ❤️
Thanks for these thoughts, Zibby - so true. I am one of the readers who spent hours enjoying your words. Even if you've got color-coordinated swag, it's wonderful to know that looking an appreciative reader in the eyes still means the most! I am about to look for a new agent for my latest MG project and realizing I've been on my writing journey for 10 years now. As another writer friend tells kids on school visits: You have to love writing more than you hate rejection :) Congrats on BLANK and enjoy this special time - Diane
So much good stuff in here! I'm still holding out for a last minute summer retreat on the schedule. I know that's not likely! The acquisitions looks great. And the success thing could just be so endless. I feel this as a podcaster too. There's always someone a step "ahead." But where are we racing to? I'm constantly having to remind myself to enjoy things exactly as they are.
Nina- I do agree with you on someone being ahead. A woman I know said, "If you look to the right or to the left, you lose sight of who you are." Just look ahead, and take one step at a time.
"True success isn’t measurable." Amen. I'll take partial success : ) Good luck with the events Zibby these sound like fun
Success to some is intrinsic, which isn't measurable.
Yes! I was being sardonic. I gotta work on that : )
I'm so glad you sent this message out. I often tell writer's that I work with that there are MANY measures of success in this business. How you internalize your own success matters (at least I believe it does).
I would LOVE to hold a regional book fair! I have an Indiana Chapter of Zibby’s Book Club already, so this would be fun!
Hi from another Nina! I did a double take for a moment.
I do the same when I see our name! It’s not common, is it? Hello to another Nina!
Nina is the name of a main character in my novel -- I always loved that name! Glad two of you have it!
I’m so glad you wrote about this because I’ve been relaying what you said all week and now I can just share it in your words 😹 also Cali retreat?! Reunion!!!
This is so true. I had the pleasure of being invited to participate in a women authors event last night with our publishing company, St. Petersburg Press. I published my book, Accidental First Lady, 2.5 years ago, and am truly humbled and grateful for each and every new reader. I tell anyone who asks whether they should write a book, "If it's in your heart, do." Our stories are unique, and the world is waiting to hear them.
You are a success!
This is such an important thing to recognize and be said, especially by someone like yourself Zibby! THANK YOU. That is just how I feel. Success as a term is different for all. I wrote about my successful (on my terms) book launch and 6 months later am still feeling great about it. So fun to meet you IRL at HeyMama. Cheering you on Zibby!
https://jessicaelefante.substack.com/p/thats-a-wrap-giveaway-lots-of-things
I have been writing books and short stories for about 14 years. I haven’t sold thousands of books but I have learned that any feedback from readers is helpful, even negative ones. Mostly, I have received positive remarks. The negative ones have to do with style and that have caused me to rethink my approach.
Thank you, Zibby, for this wonderful post. It brought me down to earth -- and made me remember why I started writing in the first place - the sheer joy of it. This gets sadly overlooked when we're racing to achieve goals.
Amen!
Although I am now considered by many to be a successful author I felt this way six novels ago, when my debut novel got so much traction with readers and reviewers.
Even now, with my sixth novel launch, I do not read the publisher’s sales figures statements. I honestly do not know what my numbers are. (I just happily posit the royalty checks in the bank.) The true and deepest meaning of success comes from the countless positive feedbacks I get from readers to whom I give hours of thought-provoking and satisfying reading pleasure.
With a grateful heart, I must thank you, Lizzy. I just discovered your work—a lifeline for many writers.
Despite facing numerous rejections and setbacks, I refused to give up on my dreams. It took me a decade to complete "Pretty Girl Complex" and another grueling year for "You Screwed UP!" But with each completed book, the words flowed with more ease and I was able to write four more novels (yet to be published) while reluctantly shelving two others.
As you wisely pointed out, success is not giving up – it's a constant battle of balancing creativity with making a living in this competitive industry. Writing is my passion because it allows me to unlock the door to my soul, but it's also a business that requires determination and resilience.
Thankfully, we are not alone in this journey as writers – we have guides and angels watching over us, and being part of this community has been invaluable. In fact, I recently launched my own newsletter on Substack (https://alicehlidkova.substack.com/) to document my writing and entrepreneurial journey.
My goal is to offer behind-the-scenes insights and golden nuggets of advice to other writers and entrepreneurs, particularly women who are navigating this world. I find women are afraid to get started, or don’t think they can, and by doing IT, I hope to offer my support the way you have offered yours.
Thank you for being awesome.
Well said my friend❤️
Yeah California! can I put in a vote for either Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket when it's time for an East Coast locale to be picked?