Problems of an eighty-five year old woman

Everything is uploaded and published for consumption. Now, if I could just find my audience. It sounds so simple in theory, but in a world so consumed by all sorts of media I have no idea how to accurately promote myself. To note, I hate promoting myself. This is why most authors prefer to spend their time reaching out to literary agents and editors. I’ve been rejected by every agent/editor that I’ve reached out to. I’m very technologically challenged and I feel overwhelmed by all of the different media outlets that I need to connect, create, and/or cultivate. It stresses out my inner eighty-five year old woman.

Yeah, I’m a self-described old woman. Eighty-five year old, specifically. I would prefer to spend my time knitting, quilting, baking, or gardening. Not scrolling through the TikTok, Instagram Reels, Facebook posts, or Twitter tweets. I prefer the simpler ways of creating content. You know, showing printouts on a slide projector. For anyone reading this, a projector is a vintage tool that would project light through a small thumbnail image. In the nineteen-sixties, a family would request their pictures be transpiled onto slides so these individuals could share their vacation slides. It all used to be so experiential, back before computers were smaller than a studio apartment.

Then, I think...who am I kidding. If it wasn’t for spell check, Google Docs, or the dictionary app on my phone. I would never have been able to complete one part of my book series, let alone, part two. Certain technology has given me the opportunity to create. If it wasn’t for Amazon, I’d never get to see a printed copy of my book. If I didn’t have email, I’d never have the short turnaround with the illustrator for the cover art. All of these wonderful inventions have assisted in me being a published author.

I struggle with accepting certain aspects of technology and being completely inept. I’m proud of myself for creating what I have. I’ve written the book, made the website, created the social media accounts and I’m going to start sponsored posts to increase awareness. It has taken me weeks to complete these tasks. Mostly, because I have to research for days. Then, I sit at my computer for a full day following instructions. Creating an online presence that toddlers are able to manifest within an hour and a half. I also work fulltime in a restaurant.

Oh, I don’t want this to sound like a pity party. This is just where I’m at with my process. I’m grateful for where I’m at and I’m grateful for what I’ve created. I just wish I had the skillset to make everything happen simultaneously. Oh well, I’ll keep writing until some young folks find my books and recommend it to their friends. No worries, ‘cause I’ll be spending the rest of my life writing about Tristan Graydin.