Today, 22 March, is my nine year anniversary of being a published author. My short story Ascension was in the Brush of Wings anthology with DSP. It was the first thing I'd ever written for publishing, and I was so lucky they liked it enough to include it. The short story became the inspiration for Angel In A Book Shop.
I'm now on book 120 or something like that – I lose track with things being republished and removed and put in volumes, but yeah, with translations and audio I have 160 works out there, if not more. It's been one hell of a ride.
I thought I'd ask myself what are the things that I never knew but which I know now? What would I tell my 2010 self about being an MM writer?
It doesn't matter if you get 1s in reviews, a four will come along any minute to balance it out. Statistically we, as writers should be getting on average 3s, and anything 3 and above is good. So RJ, a 3 or a 4 is a GOOD THING, okay? And a 5 is freaking awesome. One day, around 2012, you will accept this and stop angsting.
RJ, not everyone will like your 60,000-word emotional gut-wrenching paranormal angst with links to ancient Greece. On the other hand, most people will like your story about a throwaway at Christmas, so CHILL with the fact your first book, Oracle, isn't selling well.
Don't respond to that one-star review on Goodreads. Because the guy who wrote it is fishing for a fight, and boy will he enjoy that fight, and you'll end up looking bad.
Actually, don't visit Goodreads in the first place, because that shit will make you cry.
Sit the f**k down and write. Stop tearing out your hair about being crap and have some belief in yourself, you idiot. Just write.
Don't worry so much about people pirating your work – you can't stop it, so don't spend so much time worrying about it.
Get watching hockey. Now. Find out if Sky has a dedicated channel and start watching the games!
Relax your shoulders. Seriously, you're going to end up messing them up.
Invest in a better desk and chair so you don't mess your back up. Seriously, are you listening to me? And stop writing curled up on the couch, because that is just wrong.
Never be afraid to ask where your money is the minute you sense something is screwed up.
No, you don't need to write *normal stuff* you DO write normal stuff, ignore the idiots who say otherwise.
You don't need to be with a publisher for validation, your work is your validation, reader comments are your validation.
Competition
To celebrate my nine years – win NINE ebooks from my backlist – Nine winners will win nine ebooks each. That is nearly the entire Texas Series, it covers all of Montana, nearly all of Sanctuary. Or maybe you'd like random books from any of my series!
I’ve been with you since 2012. You were about the 5th M/M author I found on Amazon and it’s been a fun ride. Keep up the great work Rj. Fan for life. ?
I didn’t realize Oracle was your first book. I’ve read it so many times it’s embarrassing – love it!
Sit the f**k down and write. Stop tearing out your hair about being crap and have some belief in yourself, you idiot. Just write.
Typical newbie mistake and I know what I am talking about. Lol.
Big congrats RJ
See, you have published so many books…I’m sure I still haven’t read all…one or the other must have slipped through 😀
Wow, congrats, amazing work.
Huge congrats, hon. Now, just remember those bits about Goodreads, okay? Hugs you and your support staff tight, with an extra hug for Jack the Lab.
Congratulations. I’ve read more than 30 of your books, loved most and reread many and with “Gabriel ” you wrote one of the for me most important books I ever read. For the first time I understood the mindset of abused people. Until then I felt compassion but couldn’t understand why they often stay in abusive relationships. So thank you very much.
I’m darn near sure I have been with you from the beginning. I love everything you write.
I wish I could say I’d been with you from the beginning but it’s only been 3 years. I’m still trying to catch up on your backlist. Love you bunches! <3 <3
120 books! No wonder I was feeling like I could never catch up. Thank you for all the many enjoyable hours of reading.
Congratulations to you 🙂 and please keep on writing because i love your books <3
RJ, congratulations on 9 published years. I enjoy your books so much. They always leave me with so many feels. Keep up the great work.
So many books in so little time !
That’s awesome.
Congratulations RJ on your 9th Anniversary here’s to many, many more.