Hi friends. This month has been crazy fun. I’ve had the opportunity to meet some really good people, ask others to help in spreading the word with the book, and hear some amazing speakers.
The month began with a trip to Atlanta with the King of Free for Catalyst. We had been planning the trip for awhile so we were really looking forward to hearing the speakers. Top of my list were Jen Hatmaker, Ann Voskamp, Jennie Allen, Rebekah Lyons, Timothy Keller, Craig Groeschel, and Andy Stanley. Brian was excited to hear Reggie Joiner, Matt Chandler, Dr. Caroline Leaf, Timothy Keller, and Charles Duhigg. Of course when you go to a conference like that you end up hearing someone you never even knew and gain encouragement, too. It was a great time of renewal and worship (Matt Redman band and the lead vocalist for Hillsong United). I took notes furiously and tweeted my little heart out.
During the conference, I did my best to make face to face connections with some popular authors/speakers and hand off a copy of Slaying the Debt Dragon. It’s such a weird phenomenon to hand someone a book, not knowing if it will make it beyond the trashcan in the hallway. But, I’m asking people of all levels of influence who I know have hearts for the message of freedom to take a look at the book and then share it with someone else. I’ll be honest, I have no problem speaking to hundreds of people sharing our story but when I’m one on one with someone I respect and admire, my heart beats in my throat. It is not a fun feeling. The same thing happened last week when I went to a meet up with Jon Acuff – one of my favorite authors.
One of the challenges of writing a book is knowing you risk rejection. You can’t solve everyone’s problems through your words. Someone is bound to disagree with you. Typically those “someones” are the people who leave nasty comments or 1 star reviews on Amazon (yep, I’ve had my share of those already with my eBook Inspiration to Pay Off Debt: 30 Days of Encouragement from the Queen of Free). While I’d love to say that the only reviews I read are the ones that count (like this one from my husband ha!), I have read some not-so-nice things written about me. It’s scary to know people don’t like you simply for being you (or maybe because they don’t really know you).
Add to the risk of the rejection the overwhelming need to ask for help and you can be nearly paralyzed. Spreading the word about a book is an all hands on deck endeavor. Every voice, every share, every like, every instagram photo, every news media opportunity, every review counts. As much as I’d like to think I’m a solo captain all alone on the sea, I’m not. I need help, including yours. It’s almost comical the number of authors I’ve admired that I’ve either asked to endorse the book or handed an advance copy to with the words, “I know you’re incredibly busy and you don’t know me but . . .” Sure, it’s a little crazy. Sure, they could say no. Sure, it’s scary enough to make me feel my pulse in my throat and the urge to pee my pants. But if they say no, I lose nothing and if they say yes, it gives a little more fuel to the effort of spreading hope.
I did two pretty big interviews in the past week and I’m really hoping they pan out. If you have a moment or two, I’d certainly appreciate your prayers and your help. The eBook Keep the Happy in Your Holidays: 21 Ways to Save Time, Money, and Your Sanity this Christmas Season releases on November 1st (a little over a week away!). In matter of weeks, the book book will be on the shelves in stores.
It’s about to get real up in here. It’s scary. But it’s all kinds of cool, too.
Gain inspiration to pay off debt! Check out Inspiration to Pay Off Debt: 30 Days of Encouragement from the Queen of Free
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