A self-published author's diary

Dipping my neuropathic toes into the world of subscription for authors as a self-published author…

IMPORTANT: I am moving my self-publishing and writing posts over to Substack... Of course, you can still listen to the episodes on my podcast, too.

On this blog, I’ll still talk about writing sometimes and will share a few insights I’ve learned along the way about my process and my characters and my books, but I’ll go deeper into self-publishing over on my A Self-Published Author’s Diary Substack.

Today, for example, I share an edited transcript (with visuals and more info) of my latest podcast episode.

So, what does that mean?

As always, thank you for listening and reading!

Elodie

ROMO Or My Reality (Realities) Of Missing Out In the Self-Publishing World… A self-published author's diary: The Ups and Downs of Self-Publishing (and everything in-between)

This episode is brought to you by: a shower, a hoarse voice from dictating, having grand and great plans I had to adjust due to fatigue. All of that got me thinking about ROMO. The Reality of Missing Out. Not FOMO. Not JOMO. The third thing.I thought I'd made up the term. Yes, really. I was really proud of myself. I Googled it. I had not.I talk about many things in this episode, including:dealing with declining profits from one year to another in my self-publishing business;the Kickstarter I'd love to do for Cancer Is Not My Brand (my upcoming nonfiction book) and why I'm not doing one right now, knowing my latest one for # The Leftover Bride audiobook Kickstarter didn't get fulfilled, but this isn't the only reason. I; about not going to InkersCon or the Write Better, Faster Academy digital conference this year, even though I really recommend both. about Ines Johnson's Romance Write Club Kickstarter, which I just backed, and how I'm learning that it's possible to look up to other authors and also not chase what they're doing (still learning that one).about how the reality of missing out, for me, is twofold…sometimes it's I cannot physically or emotionally do this right now, and sometimes it's I cannot financially or time-wise do this right now because it's not the best for my author business, and those are different. And then there's a third thing, which I figured out while recording (as one does, right?), which is realizing you're not actually missing out at all, because it may not be what you need at that moment.If you're going through a hard time, I hope you feel a little less alone. That's the whole thing, really.Links and resources mentioned:InkersCon — http://www.inkerscon.com (I think Golden Angel has a $50 discount code)Write Better, Faster Academy — https://betterfasteracademy.com/Becca Syme on author business phases:- Phases for Author Business: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGX7gDqtvCM – Deep dives on each phase: https://www.patreon.com/beccasyme/shopInes Johnson's Romance Write Club Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/romancewriteclub/page-turner-craft-a-complete-page-turning-story-blueprint/descriptionCleveland Clinic on FOMO, JOMO, and ROMO : https://health.clevelandclinic.org/understanding-fomoPsychology Today on the reality of missing out: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/a-deeper-wellness/202506/understanding-and-managing-fomoQamber Designs (cover designer) : https://www.qamberdesignsmedia.com/If you want to tell me what you're missing out on or if you're currently more in a FOMO, JOMO, ROMO phase or all of the above, don't hesitate to send me an email: authorelodienowodazkij@gmail.comHappy writing. Happy reading.My website:www.elodienowodazkij.com
  1. ROMO Or My Reality (Realities) Of Missing Out In the Self-Publishing World…
  2. Numbers: The Book That Had 23 Preorders and…became my most read book.
  3. This isn't a grand gesture …
  4. My Self-Pub Weekly Diary: Some Wins, Some Wobbles, and Absolutely Zero Words (on My Manuscripts)
  5. My F***-It Book: She Had Cancer and Still Gets a Holiday Steamy Rom-Com

a summer like no other

A Summer Like No Other audiobook is now on YouTube, too!

The A Summer Like No Other (a YA summer romance) audiobook narrated by Megan Carter is free on most e-retailers (you do need a credit on Audible, because I can’t set it for free, there) 🙂

And the FULL free audiobook is also now on YouTube. Let yourself be tempted by Nick & Em’s story.

She’s his best friend’s little sister. He’s the biggest player of them all. They shouldn’t be together. But this summer’s just too tempting.

Enjoy!

Elodie

# Most Eligible Scrooge, rom-com

Limited print – Traveling Signed Paperback Edition # Most Eligible Scrooge…

# Most Eligible Scrooge comes out on November 24th… yep, you read that right 🙂

This fake-dating brother’s best friend steamy Christmas romcom comes out in four days! It’s like you’ll be getting a Hallmark movie mixed with a romcom in print version, but a Hallmark movie with, um, the door open (it’s getting hot in Swans Cove).

Less than a week to go to cuddle up with Landon and Julie, well, with their story…and I have a limited print SIGNED traveling paperback edition available in my store!

Really, limited, because I only have four paperback copies left of the LIMITED signed traveling paperback edition.

What does “traveling” mean? It’s a type of “read it forward” edition. Once you’ve read it, there are two pages at the beginning of the book where you can write a few words to the next person reading it. So, you read it, you leave a note and you give it/send it to a friend who then reads it and does the same and it travels 🙂

Of all the PR stunts, fake-dating my brother’s best friend, Mr. Sizzling Hot Grumpy aka my once-upon-a-time high school crush? This holiday season, love’s clearly on the naughty list. Right?

Especially after he played Grinch with my heart last Christmas Eve. But when a scandalous video of me sneaking into his luxury hotel in just a teddy with Dasher the Cat in my arms goes viral, we’ve got no choice: turn him from the “Most Eligible Scrooge” to “Mr. Fixer-Upper Heartthrob” and save my PR gig. Sure, Landon knows all my buttons (annoyingly well) and has this maddening way of making me swoon all over again, but we’ve got ground rules. Top of the list? No falling in love. Even if we get stranded in the most romantic small-town renovating a house for the holidays.

Dear Santa, it’s me, Julie. if you’re listening: grant me this one wish and I’ll toss in some extra cookies. And carrots for the reindeer, of course!

# Most Eligible Scrooge is the perfect steamy romantic comedy for you if you love Hallmark movies and romcoms with, um, the door open (aka it’s getting “hot” in Swans Cove)

AmazonAppleKobo Barnes & NobleGoogle Play More

Signed LIMITED traveling paperback edition from me directly…(US only)

Add it on Goodreads Add it on BookBub

Wishing you a day as warm and comfy as a hot chocolate with marshmallows ❤

PS: Did you know you can follow my “insider access” and read as I write?

Books

Don’t miss out: 2400 Free Romance Books! Ends today!

If you’re looking for a romance read for this weekend…. make sure you check out RomanceBookworms.com today! 🙂 There are 2400 free ebooks so you can stuff your e-reader 🙂 My book FEAR ME, FEAR ME NOT is in this promo and well… a lot more books, too. Whether you’re looking for something sweet, spicy and/or definitely swoon-worthy… this STUFF YOUR e-READER special event is the place to check out.

Elodie

A self-published author's diary, podcast

Navigating an Author Event: Conversations, Connections, and Cultivating Contacts (Oh, and the Paperback Almost Crisis)

Listen to the full episode now…Choose you favorite platform here or listen on SpotifyApple PodcastsGoogle Podcasts, StitcherAmazon MusicAudible, OvercastBreaker and more…

Listen to this episode on Spotify…

Today’s episode is about my latest author event at Park Books (in Severna Park – Maryland, click here to help them with an amazing endeavor: Speak Easy Community Project).

I’m sharing with you how a poster helped me gain more than 20 subscribers, the importance of communicating and connecting with both readers and authors, managing expectations and more…

As always feel free to leave me a message or to ask me a question, I’ll try my very best to answer: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elodie-nowodazkij/message⁠
And if you’d like to read Once Upon A Christmas Eve: ⁠https://books2read.com/u/mdqLxX ⁠

Do you have any questions about self-publishing/writing?

Ways to help Ukraine

Thank you so much for listening!

Follow me on Instagram – Bookbub – Facebook – Twitter – Goodreads – TikTok

Author event

Join me at Spark in the Park at Park Books in Severna Park…(Bookstore Romance Day)

I am so happy to announce that I’m going to be at Park Books in Severna Park on August 19th 2023, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for Bookstore Romance Day together with other amazing authors…

I mean look at the list below.

Pre-order form:

If you’d like to make sure to get one of my books, you can already pre-order (included VERY limited items): PRE-ORDER FORM.

If you’d like to see the event on Facebook or the author/reader group, make sure you click below.

Tell me in the comments if you’re coming (and what romance novel you’ve read recently :-))

Elodie

rom-com

Christmas in July? Start reading Once Upon A Christmas Eve now…

So, I just realized I actually never told you all that you can start reading my new steamy Christmas romcom novella Once Upon A Christmas Eve before it is available anywhere else by joining my email readers.

Who needs mistletoe when you’ve got your brother’s best friend, a grumpy CEO, knocking at your door this Christmas Eve?

Get your FREE copy of Once Upon A Christmas Eve and start reading now…

It was exactly what I needed to read…

Newsletter Subscriber

Fair warning, dear reader: This novella serves as a prelude to ‘#Most Eligible Scrooge’. So brace yourself, the ride might be shorter, but the drop is just as thrilling…

As the everything-assistant to a woman who could give Cruella de Vil a run for her money, I, Julie Simmons, have been bracing myself for a holiday season far from home, spent hunched over my laptop, my fingers flying over the keys to the tune of my boss’s incessant demands. That is, until the dragon herself sends me off on a wild goose chase to the swanky hotel of Landon Adams. Landon Adams. My brother’s best friend. My favorite Scrooge. My forever crush who barely knows we share the same galaxy, let alone the same city.

Imagine my surprise when I find myself in the middle of a bar brawl, courtesy of a handful of enthusiastic hockey players. Just as I’m about to duck, Landon swoops in, like a knight in shining Armani. But I’m not a damsel in distress, and Landon, as always, is buried under a mountain of CEO responsibilities. When I retreat to my apartment, a host of issues wait for me. First, there’s a dog in my no-pet place, courtesy of my boss. Second, my notebook, the keeper of my boss’ secrets, has vanished into thin air. And third… wait, is that Landon knocking at my door?

Get ready for a sleigh ride with “Once Upon a Christmas Eve”, a heartwarming, steamy, and funny rom-com that will have your heart singing Jingle Bells. Keep in mind: this novella ends on a cliffhanger.

Elodie

A self-published author's diary, podcast

Real-Time Self-Publishing: The Launch Day Chronicles of a New Pen Name…

Listen to the full episode now…Choose you favorite platform here or listen on SpotifyApple PodcastsGoogle Podcasts, StitcherAmazon MusicAudible, OvercastBreaker and more…

Listen to this episode on Spotify…

Episode 77 explores the highs and lows of a new book launch under a pen name, adapted from a Kindle Vella story. This episode features several updates I recorded throughout the launch day, providing a real-time peek into the journey. We also revisit the launch two weeks later, examining key metrics such as rankings and pages read in the Kindle Unlimited environment. I’m also talking about TikTok videos and Facebook ads on launch day…

Do you have any questions about self-publishing/writing?

How to support this podcast?

Ways to help Ukraine

Thank you so much for listening!

Follow me on Instagram – Bookbub – Facebook – Twitter – Goodreads – TikTok

Real-Time Self-Publishing: The Launch Day Chronicles of a New Pen Name A self-published author's diary: The Ups and Downs of Self-Publishing (and everything in-between)

Episode 77 explores the highs and lows of a new book launch under a pen name, adapted from a Kindle Vella story. This episode features several updates I recorded throughout the launch day, providing a real-time peek into the journey. We also revisit the launch two weeks later, examining key metrics such as rankings and pages read in the Kindle Unlimited environment. I'm also talking about TikTok videos and Facebook ads on launch day…
A self-published author's diary, podcast

Author Newsletter: How I added 84 subscribers in one week via TikTok and Instagram, Welcome Sequence and More…

Listen to the full episode now…Choose you favorite platform here or listen on SpotifyApple PodcastsGoogle Podcasts, StitcherAmazon MusicAudible, OvercastBreaker and more…

Listen to this episode on Spotify…

Today is about my author newsletter and how I added 84 subscribers in one week via TikTok and Instagram, Welcome Sequence and More…

Also mentioned in this episode:

  • Video cards as example:
  1. When you’ve been crushing on your brother’s best friend ever since you slammed into him at the rink…
  2. Everyone’s booming and cruel jokes resonated in your mind like a nightmare.
  3. He didn’t laugh. Instead…
  4. His powerful athlete-of-the-year arms around your waist, he murmured…
  5. “Are you okay there, Jellybean?” And…
  6. When you nodded (not trusting your voice not to break), he added,
  7. “You got this.” And his rugged hand found yours… Your breath caught as he taught you how to skate *in front of everyone*
  8. You finally understood the flutters described in your mother’s harlequin novels…
  9. Except they weren’t snow flurries dancing in your chest.
  10. Oh no. They were a teenage-love-Taylor-Swift song blizzard.
  11. And for the past fourteen years, your heart’s been beaten, bruised, burned…
  12. by an unrequited crush on your brother’s way-off-limits best friend.
  13. Fourteen years. This should come with a trophy. Or some sort of support group.
  14. Especially as he’s now standing in your kitchen…

Do you have any questions about self-publishing/writing?

How to support this podcast?

Ways to help Ukraine

Thank you so much for listening!

Follow me on Instagram – Bookbub – Facebook – Twitter – Goodreads – TikTok

Author Newsletter: How I added 84 subscribers in one week via TikTok and Instagram, Welcome Sequence and More… A self-published author's diary: The Ups and Downs of Self-Publishing (and everything in-between)

Today is about my author newsletter and how I added 84 subscribers in one week via TikTok and Instagram, Welcome Sequence and More… Also mentioned in this article: MRW June meeting (1pm to 3pm): 7 Figure Fiction Master Class with T. Taylor: 7 Figure Fiction—how to use Universal Fantasy to SELL your books to ANYONE. Why does T. Taylor call Universal Fantasies butter? What are Universal Fantasies anyway? And how can they make your romance novel unputdownable? Join Maryland Romance Writers in conversation with bestselling author T. Taylor on her book, the concept that’s taken authors to the next level, and all the delicious book butter. Info here: https://marylandromancewriters.com/event/june-24/ Holly Darling – Welcome Sequence In A Weekend with 10% Off (affiliate link in the sense that I get 10% off too for another course): https://launch-pad.teachable.com?referral_code=P93AGU Newsletter Ninja: https://newsletterninja.net/ Podcast Wish I'd known Then For Writers Episode with Holly Darling on the Power of an Email Welcome Sequence. Romance Your Brand by Zoe York: https://romanceyourbrand.com/books/ TikTok Video About The Reader Magnet: https://www.tiktok.com/@elodienowodazkij/video/7240392549251304747 Video cards as example: When you've been crushing on your brother's best friend ever since you slammed into him at the rink… Everyone’s booming and cruel jokes resonated in your mind like a nightmare. He didn't laugh. Instead… His powerful athlete-of-the-year arms around your waist, he murmured… "Are you okay there, Jellybean?" And… When you nodded (not trusting your voice not to break), he added, "You got this." And his rugged hand found yours… Your breath caught as he taught you how to skate *in front of everyone* You finally understood the flutters described in your mother's harlequin novels… Except they weren't snow flurries dancing in your chest. Oh no. They were a teenage-love-Taylor-Swift song blizzard. And for the past fourteen years, your heart's been beaten, bruised, burned… by an unrequited crush on your brother's way-off-limits best friend. Fourteen years. This should come with a trophy. Or some sort of support group. Especially as he’s now standing in your kitchen… How to support this podcast? If you like romance, purchase one of my books or audiobooks… Rate, review and subscribe and share A Self-Published Author's Diary with your friends. Buy me a coffee on Ko-Fi
A self-published author's diary, podcast

A self-publishing update: Vella, a day without earnings, and business decisions…

Listen to the full episode now…Choose you favorite platform here or listen on SpotifyApple PodcastsGoogle Podcasts, StitcherAmazon MusicAudible, OvercastBreaker and more…

Listen to this episode on Spotify…

Because sharing the downs of self-publishing is also important: a day without earning. Still: Vella is helping me earn a part-time income and making business decisions and writing progress.

Mentioned in the episode:

Do you have any questions about self-publishing/writing?

How to support this podcast?

Ways to help Ukraine

Thank you so much for listening!

Follow me on Instagram – Bookbub – Facebook – Twitter – Goodreads – TikTok

A self-publishing update: Vella, a day without earnings, and business decisions… A self-published author's diary: The Ups and Downs of Self-Publishing (and everything in-between)

Because sharing the downs of self-publishing is also important: a day without earning. Still: Vella is helping me earn a part-time income and making business decisions and writing progress.