Self-Promotion Run Amuck!

This is somewhat ridiculous.

I don't have a book out. I don't have a contract. I don't even have an agent.

But I do have a website. And now I have a blog.

The theory is that this self-hype will somehow show agents and editors that I'm a Serious Author. I'm Committed to my writing.

Personally, I feel just a bit like being committed.

I could use the rest.

So let's review the basics. I'm got one book finished, Marrying the Emersons. I have the remaining books in the series, A Part of Her and The Best They Could, about half done.

I have a damned snazzy website, www.sarahmanderson.com, designed by my sister's father-in-law, Craig Clampitt.

I'm going to the Spring Fling Conference in Chicago in less than three weeks.

I have a part time job as a writer and editor for an educational publishing company (which is enough to get me a newly remodeled bathroom, but not quite enough for a new patio).

I have a son who will be three in less than a month.

Somehow, I'm supposed to be 'getting my name out there,' 'getting eyeballs' to look at my stuff. I'm supposed to be blogging (check!), posting comments on Amazon, writing articles, filming book videos, winning awards, designing promotional items for librarians, writing queries, getting contracts, and fielding offers from Hollywood actresses looking to win an Oscar for portraying my heroines.

And don't forget the actual writing!

On about six non-consecutive hours of sleep.

Let me explain.

My son, who shall henceforth be known as Thomas (see, it's not that I don't trust you all, but at heart, I'm a little paranoid, and would prefer that his adorable visage not be out there for everyone to fixate on) doesn't sleep. He's a great kid, all boy (except for the cooking thing, but let's give a shout out to Alton Brown!) and going to three in a month.

But he doesn't sleep. And when he don't sleep, I don't sleep.

Nightmares, night terrors, phantom night poops, you name it, he doesn't sleep. Some days, it's not so bad. He got me up at 1:45 last night, and my hubby at 5:15 this morning. Not bad.

But night before last? No sleep between about 12:30 and 4ish.

Oh, he's asleep, but he screams in his sleep. And the moment I get vertical, my brain kicks on. So even after I've tucked him in, I lay in bed for twenty, thirty minutes while conversations between my people play out, or I agonize over what to wear to the conference.

And just as I finally, FINALLY, drift off, he screams again.

It's a conspiracy, I tell you.

So, there you have it. I'm trying real hard to be a Writer. I'm trying real hard to raise a happy, well-adjusted boy in today's over saturated world.

Will these two goals be able to coexist?

Join me as we find out together.