Why I self-published my humor book (without Amazon)
And an in-person publishing workshop
The Bizzy Book Tour is in full swing!
Last month, I announced my first book, PERSONAL SPACE: Short humor from The New Yorker, McSweeney’s and beyond. Thanks to everyone who picked up a copy. It’s been fun bopping around town peddling my funny stories, sharing smiles and connection with my neighbors.
Listen to my 8-minute interview on WJFF’s Radio Chatskill with Tim Bruno
Listen to my 30-minute interview on WJFF’s Catskill Character with Donna Fellenberg. This includes a full reading of my story “I’m More than a Mother.”
Scroll down a bit for more upcoming events. See you out there!
Why I self-published my book (without Amazon)
Y’all. I don’t know what to do anymore. Every digital platform for sharing my work is owned by ethically dubious billionaires with aspirations of oligarchy. It’s enough to make a writer log off forever.
When I was figuring out how to publish PERSONAL SPACE, I had to sit down with myself and ask some tough questions.
Will I make my book available for sale on Amazon, a platform I don’t typically use because I don’t like the business practices of Jeff Bezos?
If I don’t put my book on Amazon, will I lose out on sales and profit?
If I do put my book on Amazon, will I compromise my values?
Don’t I already compromise my values every day when I use platforms like Google, Instagram and Facebook? (Even Substack is questionable! Ughhh) Am I a hypocrite? Should I stop writing and existing altogether?
Is there any way to make and sell a book without feeling icky about it?
And on and on and on.
Ultimately, I decided to let COMMUNITY be my guide.
In one of my most-read newsletters, I talked about how I stopped prioritizing far-flung publishing goals and started focusing on my own community.
This mindset drove my book decisions as well.
I researched local resources and chose a nearby family-owned printshop to make the physical book.
I called on the talents of local artists for the cover and interior illustrations.
I put the book up for sale on my own website, and in my local bookstore.
I plan to sell the rest of the copies “by hand” at in-person events. I want to see my readers. Foster conversation and laughter with them.
Which is not to say I won’t ever sell a book on Amazon. Maybe I will someday. Who knows what will happen? I certainly don’t judge anyone else for doing it.
We’ve all got to do what we’ve got to do to get our writing and ideas out into the world in the midst of this capitalist hellscape.
As 1990s infomercials used to say: “There’s got to be a better way!”
Publishing workshop on February 8
Saturday, February 8, 2025 from 1-3pm
Sullivan Public, 16 Proctor Road, Eldred, NY 12732
I’m going to opine even more about publishing at this in-person workshop for writers of all ages and experience levels.
I’ll share my personal experiences publishing nationally (The New Yorker, McSweeney’s) and locally (Grand Journal, Litt Magazine). I’ll also talk about the process of self-publishing my book, and the hundreds of rejections I’ve received over many years of writing.
The bulk of our workshop will center on YOUR publishing goals and how to reach them. We’ll discuss submission strategies, how to make connections in the literary world, ways to fund self-publishing, overcoming psychological barriers to sharing your work, handling rejection and so much more.
You’ll also get a copy of my new mini-zine, PUBLISH MY STUFF PLEASE, filled with encouragement for your journey, as well as a list of 48 ways to get involved in the literary community of Sullivan County.
To make sure everybody gets a lot of personal attention, this will be limited to 14 participants. There’s a $40 fee, and registration is required.
More upcoming Bizzy events
Yes, I would love to appear on your podcast, do an interview in your newsletter, or do a reading at your space. Help me promote my book! Email me at bizzycoy@gmail.com and say hi.
YARNSLINGERS
Sunday, January 26, 2025 at 12pm
Seminary Hill Cidery, 43 Wagner Lane, Callicoon, NY 12723
15 local storytellers reading true, short stories on the theme of “Winter.” I’ll be debuting a story titled “Three Kisses.” This is always a free, fun event. I’ll have copies of PERSONAL SPACE available for sale before and after.
SAGE SESSION
Thursday, March 6, 2025 from 1:30-3:30pm
Delaware Valley Arts Alliance, 37 Main Street, Narrowsburg, NY 12764
PERSONAL SPACE book reading, signing and Q&A for ages 60+ organized by local nonprofit organizations Tusten Social and Growing Older Together. Really looking forward to reading for some of my favorite people in town!
COVERSTORY
This event on January 19 with the artists of PERSONAL SPACE was canceled due to weather. We are undaunted and will reschedule — watch this space!
Pick my brain about writing & publishing
As I mentioned in a previous issue of BIZZY IN YOUR BOX, I’m available once again for creative career chats.
In the past, I’ve spoken over the phone or on Zoom with folks just like you. We’ve talked about:
Writing
Freelancing
Copywriting
Writer’s block
The advertising/marketing industry
Job-hunting frustrations
Finding freelance clients
Setting and negotiating rates
Figuring out what to do about awkward freelance situations
Gut checks
Roadblocks within paid or personal writing projects
Finding a writing process that works for you
Prepping for job interviews
Applying for grants and residencies
Weird career decisions
Humor writing and publishing
The kinds of “oh, life!” stuff that pops up when you’re a writer and/or freelancer and/or creative-type person.
Most calls go one of three ways:
You talk yourself into the brilliant solution you already had inside you all along
You need reassurance you’re doing the right thing, and I tell you yes, you’re doing the right thing
You confess you’re secretly a huge Buffalo Bills fan, and I confess that I am, too
If you want to pick my brain, now’s your chance. Rifle through the filing cabinet of my 15 years’ experience as a full-time and freelance copywriter. Who knows what you might find in there?
It’s not free this time around! I’ve offered hundreds of free calls over the years, and I just can’t hack it anymore. (You get it.)
50 bucks will get you 30 minutes (which, I’ve found, is exactly the amount of time most people need).
Shoot me an old-fashioned electronic mail (bizzycoy@gmail.com) and we’ll find a mutually agreeable time to chat. I love doing this, so don’t be shy. It’ll be fun. I look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks to you, my BIZZY IN YOUR BOX community, for reading, liking and sharing my newsletters. It means so much to me. Please reach out anytime and let me know how you’re doing and what you’re up to.
xoxo
Bizzy
P.S. I was thinking the other day how purple is such a weird word. Say it out loud and see just how weird it is! Purple! Purple! Purple!
Where does “purple” come from?
The internet tells me that it starts with the ancient Greek porphura, which described both the color purple and a mollusk which yielded dye used for coloring the fabrics of Phoenician royalty.
So purple = shellfish juice. Nice!
This looks so fun - I'm glad you took the ick out of marketing your book:)
Congrats!