(Guest post from MCBD Project Manager, Becky Flansburg)
As I type this, I am doing my best to look away from the horror (I can’t think of a better word right now) that is unfolding across the globe. A silent enemy is creeping and infecting and completely changing life as we knew it. Three months ago, words like “quarantine,” “shelter in place,” and “distance learning” were not even on my radar. Who knew?
Currently, I am working from home (have for 7 years) and am homeschooling our 14-year-old (for almost a year). I know we are blessed to not have to completely shift gears and navigate the strange waters of working and learning from home.
Those who are struggling, just know that it’s OK. It’s a level playing field right now. Just do your best every day and let that be ENOUGH.
At my house, we are also embracing the Slow Life. Learning to just “roll with it” even if that means going for a Sunday afternoon drive on Thursday at 8:30 a.m. Life is challenging enough right now and I don’t want rigidity and fear to dictate our daily life.
The work will get done. The school work will get done. And it will be ENOUGH.
If you are an Author or Publisher, I’m sure you have noticed that it seems that people are pulling back from buying a bit. And rightfully so. People are scared and unsure about where the next paycheck is coming from.
I also know they need distractions, escape, and positivity that reading a book can provide. So if it feels like your book promotions/launches/sales are falling flat, don’t despair.
Keep going. Keep writing. Keep sharing.
If it feels like the world isn’t listening, keep doing these things anyway:
Keep.Being.The.Light.
Shift gears from “buy my stuff!” to more of a mindset of service. Offer free activities connected to your book(s). Offer to read books to kids via Zoom. Give your talents and time away freely.
And whatever you do, don’t stop marketing.
Don’t give up.
Don’t throw in the towel.
Don’t decide that young readers don’t need to hear/see your voice. They do. Probably more than ever.
During a time of uncertainty, books offer a refuge, sanctuary, and a slice of normalcy for kids.
So keep working/writing/trying/sharing/marketing.
This all will pass and the world needs your Light and Creativity to Shine Bright.
Since Multicultural Children’s Book Day suggested in a recent tweet that authors and publishers should or could volunteer to read books to chikdren via Zoom, hiw would you propose to start doing so “from scratch,” so to speak?
Hi Corey!
Authors can do live read-alouds via Zoom (you’ll have to sign up for your own account) or on a Facebook Live. Erica Graham has organized an event called Storytime Adventures with Authors and you can reach out to her via Facebook. I know there’s a Skype for Authors program out there as well.
Since Multicultural Children’s Book Day suggested in a recent tweet that authors and publishers should or could volunteer to read books to children via Zoom, how would you propose to start doing so “from scratch,” so to speak?