By Dana Kaye
I will document what I read. I see all these columnists and bloggers doing their “Best of” lists and I wonder, how could they possibly remember everything they read in 2010? Then I remembered my days as a reviewer when I kept a color-coded, anal-retentive, spreadsheet that would make all the CPAs in my family proud. So in 2011, I plan to bring the spreadsheet back and keep track of what I read next year.
I will protect my time. As a publicist (or a writer, an agent, and tons of other jobs) it’s easy to work round the clock. There are always more e-mails, bookkeeping, and more work to be done. In 2011, I will identify what really needs to get done that day, and once I’m finished, I will turn the computer off and attempt to ignore the smart phone.
I will follow through on my ideas. I got a jump on this resolution early. I’m constantly coming up with new ideas, probably at least one a week, and I keep them all in a word document on my computer. Most of them stretch outside the normal realm of work, and therefore, were overlooked in 2010. But in 2011, two items from the idea document are already in place:
- Webinar – I’m hosting a webinar, titled Blog Tour 101: Building A Successful Online Campaign. I found that when I talk to authors about blog tours and online promotion, their eyes glaze over or they look overwhelmed. The purpose of this webinar is to teach authors how to identify high-traffic blogs, contact the bloggers, and put together a campaign that makes sense. If you’re interested, you can register at www.BlogTour101.eventbrite.com.
- Networking Event – As a graduate of a creative writing program, I often forget that not every writer has a community. I attend readings and signings regularly, I know the local authors, booksellers and publishers, and I take part in local writing organizations. But many Chicago writers don’t know this community exists.
So, I’m organizing Chicago’s Literati Networking Event at Sheffield’s. This will be an opportunity for writers, agents, publishers, playwrights, directors, book sellers, and everyone in between, to meet, mingle and swap business cards. The first 30 people to register also get a swag bag filled with books and other literary goodies. Register at www.ChicagoLiterati.eventbrite.com.
I will expand my horizons. I love crime fiction, and if you look at my client list, that love is evident. About 70% of my clients write mysteries, thrillers, and suspense. Because I have a policy to allow my clients to compete (I won’t take on 2 similar books with the same launch month) that means, I have to expand into other genres. In 2011, I will reach out to more literary and YA authors. I enjoy Romance and Women’s fiction that expands beyond the simple girl + boy + obstacles + happy ending, so I will be reaching out to the RWA crowd as well.
If you’re an author, you can find some writing resolutions here and feel free to comment with your own New Year’s resolutions.
I wish you all a happy and merry 2011!
