There is a venue in Minnesota called State Theater. Over my life, I have seen some really amazing shows there (For those curious, the best show being The Swell Season. It was 2009, I was brokenhearted (what else is new, am I right?) It was a beautiful December night, I was writing some of my most unique poetry of my life and Glen Hansard may be the best live performer I will ever see). This building is amazing and old and I always thought how wonderful it would be to fill such a room as this. The perfect size for art.
The other day, it occurred to me that the total size of the readership of this newsletter could no longer fit inside the State Theater and that is no small thing. For me, this was a rather large and meaningful realization. I think as writers we often get caught up in this very big marker:
But there must be other trailheads along the way that show us we are on the right path. These smaller moments matter.
I like to visualize how small changes can make a big impact. If everyone who has already read your book talked to one new person about it today, how might your numbers shift? What can you do right now to ask those readers to get talking? If you sold two extra books at each of your next events, what is that impact? How can you create more engagement to get those two people to your booth? It sounds small, but you can’t possibly know the reach that getting that one book in the right hands can be. Still, you can dream about it.
When I reach a marker moment like this, I don’t like to stand on the ridge for too long. For me, the next step is assuring all my readers the value in these letters, enough that they’ll buy a ticket and step inside the venue, if you will, into The Private Drafts. I’ve been working harder at my craft, sharpening the writing, adding more value to these letters, so that each one makes the journey worth it. That milestone, seeing you in the room, is the one that would change everything.
What trailheads are you going to set up so you know where you are on your path?
Paying It Forward:
Connect and support your fellow writers that are active readers of these letters.
The Best Books I Read This Year:
- Rainbow Black by Maggie Thrash was by far the best one I read this year. It kept me on my toes I had no idea where it was going. It felt fresh. I would love to sit in a café with Maggie and learn about her creative process. Manifesting that for myself.
- The Last Bookstore on Earth by Lily Braun-Arnold. I could see the author behind the scenes too much, but I know my young students will enjoy this one and so I felt myself enjoying it through their future eyes. I will use it for teaching purposes. I too would likely camp out surrounded by books in the end of days.
- Grief is for People by Sloan Crosley. She normalizes the grief that comes from the loss of a longtime friend.
- Invest Like a Girl by Jessica Spangler. Books like this should be required reading for adulthood.
- In the Shadow of Gotham by Stefanie Pintoff. For those grieving that there will never be any more The Alienist books.
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