Janna Hill

Author

My First Year as an Indie (Lessons Learned)

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A blast from the past. March of 2013

Part I

Can you believe I have a solid year behind me in this adventure as an independent author/publisher?

My how time flies when you’re having fun.

So what have I learned other than how to type while holding fried chicken in one hand and a biscuit in the other?

Who doesn’t love fried chicken and a biscuit?

A lot!

Do I have any advice for beginners?

Oh yes! Indeed I do and my first pearl of wisdom is this: cut the biscuit in half, strip the chicken and make a sandwich. It will be much easier to handle.

I would also suggest turning the keyboard over and gently shaking the crumbs loose verses picking between the keys. That tip will save you time and keep your proofreader from returning your manuscript un-proofed with a note that says Get back to me when you’re sober!

I don’t have any real pearls but if you’re interested I’ll be happy to share a handful of pebbles and opinions.

#1 Support: Get some! No man is an island. Editing, proofreading and polishing don’t necessarily mean stripping away your authenticity.

Surround yourself with people you can trust, people who are willing to encourage you, offer constructive criticism and be brutally honest when necessary.

If your book is your baby, prepare it to face the world and get that baby some child support.

Lesson: Keep it real even in fiction. Find people you can trust (paid or voluntary) and listen to them.

#2 Reviews: Good reviews are fabulous but they don’t guarantee massive sales. On the other hand bad reviews definitely hurt sales.

You may cry. You may get furious. But do not respond!!

Responding to bad reviews and personal insults is a no-no.

Lighten up, insults can be funny. Learn from the constructive ones and laugh at the assholish ones.

Yes, I just made assholish a real word.

Not everyone likes spaghetti so what makes you think everyone will like what you dish out?

Lesson: There will be haters. Get used to it.

#3 Social Media: I firmly believe in building an online presence and interacting. I said in- ter-act-ing.

That means relating to people,not only networking and connecting but talking and occasionally having a conversation.

I tend to avoid a couple of the most popular media sites for that very reason.

How do you respond to “Buy my book! My book’s on sale!”

You say something like “I see you’re from Manhattan. How is the weather there?”

And they respond with “Here’s a link to Amazon. Be sure to leave a review.”

Yeah. I’m not talking to them anymore. Neither is a lot of other people.

Lesson: In-ter-act.

I like blogging. I’m not sure how many book sales it has garnered (if any) but I enjoy it.

It’s like bloggers are… wow, I don’t know… like they are real human beings or something.

Lesson: Blog away. Blogging has zero calories and you meet great people from all over the world. It’s an inexpensive means of travel and sometimes you find the inspiration needed for your next story.

While we are on the topic of blogging allow me to weave in an experience related to marketing.

I recently consulted with a couple of PR firms who shall remain nameless. One suggested I buy their book (argh). Um, no. I am looking for someone to create “the buzz” for me — just do it okay?!

The only buzz I am motivated to create comes in the aftermath of consuming liquor.

The second person (much more helpful) looked at my social media sites and informed me I was not promoting myself enough. The conversation went like this: “You’re just there” she explained while politely pointing out I was not utilizing said media properly. “I’m sorry but one more ‘buy my book-my book’s on sale’ and I may rip the arm off of this chair. I can’t do it, that’s why I contacted you special magic guru lady.”

She may be a lovely little witch, but she is not a special guru lady.

“It’s not that easy anymore. What about your blogger account?” She was scanning search results as we spoke, “Do you have one?”

“Well sure. I posted something about 2013 releases but I’m more comfortable at WordPress.”

“Let me see what you are doing on WordPress…  It seems your focus is on photography and just hanging out?”

“Yeah, it’s like a bar/library/art gallery, cool huh? Except they don’t serve drinks. It’s  BYOB.”

“That’s fine but you need to squeeze in a pitch directing readers to buy your books.”

“I have a website listing most published works. Just google Janna Hill and you’ll find me.”

“That’s not enough. You’re going to have to get more involved in promoting yourself. You have to get out of your comfort zone.”

“Oops my macaroni is burning. I’ll have to get back to you.”

Lesson: Even for a fee no one will do it all for you. I need to “get out of my comfort zone.”  

Maybe I will but if I ever respond to a greeting with “Buy my book. Leave me a review” somebody shoot me please.

*BYOB: bring your own bottle could now mean bring your own book.

How I Spend My Days ( Just Stopping By To Say Hello)

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So… a lot of my days are spent potting instead of plotting.

But as long as something is growing, I’m happy.

Most mornings I’m out in the greenhouse in my pajamas; yes, in my pajamas because there’s no one looking other than the birds and the insects.

There is an occasional squirrel, and the dogs. There is always the cat — sometimes cats plural.

And these pajamas are comfortable, that’s important at this stage of life— or at least it is to me.

I hope you’re growing something. Plants, family, the creative work, your mind.

Write This Down (Stoned & Poetic)

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The poem is circa 2017 written while under the influence of cannabis, the photo is current.

(Stoned & Poetic)

He lives in a shack

with a dog and a cat

The shack is out back

by his mama’s house

In the house there’s a couch,

I think he has a wife and a mouse

And they are all full of crack,

except the dog and the cat.

Do these crackers make me look fat?

…

*THIS IS WHY SOME PEOPLE should not get high and say “write this down. ” You old hippie, you know who you are.

Poem published in Getting Me Back ( The Voices Within)

Happy New Life (Spring is Here)

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I like to believe…

I like to believe that the spring equinox marks the actual New Year. It just makes more sense with all of the new life and new activities going on in nature.

I believe we can find the same newness within ourselves if we let nature guide us.

So cheers 🥂!! Here’s to new life, new growth, and a happy HaPpY new year.

P. S. Speaking of new … I have new book covers in the works. I’m kinda looking forward to these new creations.

Autumn Equinox 2024

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Summer Adieu

It’s out of the flip-flops, and back in the Reeboks and long pants dug out of the dust

So long to the tank tops, bikinis and cut offs and lawn chairs left lying to rust

Adieu to the sand dune, the pelican and plain loon

My loves, we’ll see you `fore long

Leaves drop as trees swoon, long past the crop moon

With the scent of a sweet autumn song

Let’s all take a big swill to ward off the night chill

Winter’s a season away

Crank up the camp fire; avoid the ole quagmire

With children perched high on the hay.

Poem from Getting Me Back

More about the Autumn Equinox at Farmers Almanac

Little Rascals (Tuesday’s Tell-All)

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Mine’s on the right. Who’d have guessed.

I love this photo for so many reasons. I wonder what those little boys are thinking? What one said that created such an expression in the others.

My 5th grandson started playing baseball this year. He, like my other grandsons, is a rascal on the field and off.

The photo made me think of my other grandsons (their ages range from 10 months to 22 years) and some of the things they discuss/discussed.

I imagine right about now I have a grin like the little guy in the picture as I remember how I busied myself, pretending to be unaware while they talked.

Their conversations ranged from bugs to books and dinosaurs and bikes. Rocks and clouds and robots. …

When the older boys discussions evolved to automobiles and girls I busied myself out of hearing range.

And just for clarification, I don’t consider it eavesdropping if I’m in your presence.

The Long Long Night #TBT

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Ah, the December Solstice.

Those of you in the Southern Hemisphere are (hopefully) enjoying summer while us folks in the Northern Hemisphere are entering winter and the longest night of the year. 

Though it is the Northern influence that spawned The Long Long Night, I wish you all a happy December solstice and warm poetic evening.

so without further adieu I give to you …

The Long Long Night

He would sculpt and I would write to get us through this thing called life – what seemed to be an aimless plight

The long, long night

I used pen and he used clay to cope with all the pain filled days which lived within our slow decay of

The long, long night

But in between the words and mud we found the art of making love and pacified the angst and blood of

The long, long night

Forsaken pages ripped and torn, spattered earth across the floor, graphite tales of love and war and

The long, long night

Come into my bed sweet angry lover, your tender calloused hands beneath the cover.

Find the place where none has been, beneath the ink and turning pin, get us through yet once again

The long, long night

The Long Long Night was torn from the pages of Getting Me Back ( The Voices Within) available at your favorite eBook retailer.

It’s April 1st & Time to Kickstart National Poetry Month

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Why Poetry (from Getting Me Back)

Because it hurts deeper

Tastes sweeter 

Laughs louder

And lets me know I’m alive.

♥️💙💜

Don’t forget to read a poem, write a poem, share a poem, heck Be a poem.

Write on!

Happy Halloweenie Ghouls & Boils

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Hold out your eyes and I’ll give you a little insight into Smoke Free.

Smoke Free is a weird little story conceived in the smoke of a brush pile. The photos below show the cover; the first photograph and the finished cover.

Smoke Free is probably the only book cover we have not changed at least a dozen times. The truth is I have never wanted to change it. I love this cover and the image of that little pumpkin smoking a cigar never fails to amuse me. (I have the husband to thank for that.)

  • smoke free base cover (583x800)
Smoke Free

I had never heard of Irwin Smutter before that day and he (like the cigar smoking pumpkin) still amuses me with his absolute weirdness; him and the bizarre world he resides in.

And a bite sized sample of the lunch break tale …

Irwin marched down the stark white hallway with the impudence of a man on a mission. At the end of corridor, a glass door awaited with the words FREE YOUR SELF painted in large gold letters. He raised a curled fist to knock but decided against it. Easing the door open he called out, “Yoo-hoo. Is anyone home?” when no one responded he grudgingly entered the room and scanned its contents.

The room appeared empty other than an oversized sofa. Irwin reposed himself against the frigid vinyl, crossed his feet and sighed. A lively timbered scene covered the wall opposite the door, designed in such a way it almost looked like a window. Beyond the dull sheen of the pretend window was a forest where rays of sunshine cut through a smoky haze. The remaining walls were un-textured, pale and bare. The room smelled of sandalwood and acetone, a bizarre sweetness that sickened and comforted him at the same time. Irwin shifted nervously on the stiff upholstery in search of a warm spot. There was none.

The faux leather, the lifeless walls, the fake window – it was all too unsettling. Nothing is real, he thought, stretching his arms until his hands met above his head. Fads! The world has been reduced to kooks, phonies, and fads. Reassured by his own summation, Irwin interlaced his fingers and stretched further. When the joints in his entwined hands refused to pop, he rested them at the base of his neck.

Smoking cessation. Yeah, right. It was not Irwin’s idea. Irwin enjoyed smoking. The pungent smell of a fresh-lit cigarette made bitter coffee sweet. Smoking was one of the few things he looked forward to each day. A good smoke, a little booze, a lot of caffeine and Evie.

…

Happy Halloween!

Available wherever e-books are sold.

Smoke Free narrated by Troy McElfresh and is available at

Amazon

Apple

Audible