Sometimes self promoting just really sucks.

Double edged sword you say?

Reach out they say, get reviews they say, that's how you sell books they say. Sometimes they're good, sometimes they're bad. Sometimes it works out, sometimes people make you feel like the scummiest of scum. You think I like feeling like the mangy dog under the table begging for scraps?

Sometimes it's fun, sometimes it sucks, and sometimes you feel like you'll never get anywhere & want to give up. And then this little voice starts to sing..."tough titty said the kitty"...

Because it's true. No one is going to promote your book for you. No one cares about your work as much as you do. So if this is what you want, if you want to be an author and actually get your book out there for people to read, then you suck it up. Take the amazing parts with the bad parts, and every ugly and fun thing in between. Lift your head high, stick out your boobs (ladies) and take charge.

I'm learning to toughen up. Not everyone will like your work. Not everyone will like you. But someone somewhere out there does. And you write for them. For those moments when someone reads your book and gushes about how much they loved it or how it inspired them or helped distract them from everyday stresses.

Those are the amazing moments that make you feel like you're doing what you're suppose to be doing. Everyone has to start somewhere. So don't ever give up.