I'm shocked and so happy! It appears that Spotify is now allowing authors to give away 1,000 audiobooks, at no cost to them. It was 100, now it's 1,000! Can every one say YAY!!!!!!!!

Hello everyone! I've been working with a PR company for 3 months and they've helped me transition from book promotion back to my art career, as I am a painter not a writer. However, PR-wise nothing much has happened and I really can't afford to keep paying this exorbitant monthly fee. They've been very diligent about pitching my art and book, but, of course, many opportunities may not gel for several more months. For example, they have me booked for an excellent podcast but in 1 year! As a customer who needs to leave or pause their service, are they obligated to inform me of any successes beyond the 3 months of service for anything already in the pipeline? My agreement with them does not mention this. What would be standard? A fee or no fee? Perhaps @Julie Broad and @Sarah Bean can share their thoughts. Thanks much! And for anyone thinking of hiring PR please start 6 months before publication. I thought I could DIY it but failed and wish I had contracted with a PR firm at the proper time. I don't know whether Book Launchers has this as an a la carte item. Thanks everyone!

I have noticed that sometimes the hardest part of writing isn’t coming up with ideas or even knowing what needs to be done. It’s sitting down and getting into the writing mindset, especially when life, work, and everything else gets in the way. Do you have a routine that helps you get into writing mode, or do you just write whenever you can find the time? What’s the one thing that helps you stay consistent with your writing?

All, I was on Matty Dalrymple's The Indy Author Podcast. Matty is known in the Indy publishing world and had such folks as Jane Friedman, Dale Roberts and Mark Leslie Lefebvre, etc. Dale, Mark and Jane have spoken at Author Nation and will be doing so again this year. After I was on Matty's podcast, Mark Lefebvre was the next guest. Our episodes aired one week apart. I decided to issue a fun challenge to Mark in the form of who could get the most views. Marks and mine views were around 40 at the time. Mark graciously agreed and he set the goal at 100 views. It was back and forth for a week, and I was posting about it every day. Soon Matty stated posting about it, then Dale Roberts joined in by posting on his Discord channel and soon I pulled ahead in views and was able to get to 100 views first. It's been 3 weeks since my episode aired and I now sit at 147 views and growing. BUT - here is my next challenge. During this last challenge, Dale Roberts jokingly said that - yeah, you beat Mark - but you still have a way to go to beat me. Well, at the time he was like 70 views ahead and climbing. Now he sits at 197 to my 147, and I want to catch him - maybe even pull ahead. Again, doing so in a very nice and fun way as Dale is a good sport about these things. I am wondering if you'd be so kind as to listen to the podcast, maybe even share the link around in order to drive views. Bottom line is that regardless of who comes out ahead - Matty's podcast gets further promotion. Thanks everyone and here is the link: Book Marketing on a Budget with Kevin Hall - #345 - YouTube

Could you please visit my Kirkus Review page, and like the review they gave me? https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/rob-cole/for-once-in-my-life-the-authorized-biography-of-arlinda-willis Thank you. The book is scheduled for an August 27 release.