My first month as an author

On July 17, 2020 I posted this photo on my Facebook and since then it has received over 2000 shares and 62,000 engagements on Facebook. I have received an overwhelming number of messages and emails from people as they have read my book and connected with my stories. 

I have shared much of my journey on my Youtube Channel as I've moved through the writing, the editing, the publishing and the marketing. I even shared a video about the anxiety I was starting to experience as a result of the support and love. 

I had a conversation with my cousin who has helped me throughout the years by being a support, a sounding board, a voice of reason. We talked about how we were so comfortable sitting in trauma, chaos and uncertainty. We were comfortable with feeling inadequate and failure but when it came to feelings of happiness and success, we had feelings of anxiety because we didn't know how to accept it. 

I have been working really hard on accepting the love and feeling deserving of it. The feelings have been very overwhelming but I am starting to settle into it as the hype has started to subside. 

MEDIA AND PUBLICITY
So far I have been interviewed by CBC and IndigiNews which is connected to APTN and Discourse Media. I have also been invited to participate in a variety of podcasts, IGTV interviews and a FB live interview with First Nations Forward. It's been a really cool experience doing a virtual book tour. I've met some amazing people with huge hearts and a desire to learn about Indigenous Peoples, understand racism and using their platform to showcase Women of Colour.

BOOK REVIEWS
I have learned the importance of book reviews! If you have a traditional publisher, their job is to make sure you have enough books and digital copies to send out to their list of book reviewers. I have been making sure to meet people and interact with them, and I have sent out my book to a dozen people who have touched my heart, people who I see making a difference. If you are a book reviewer and are interested in reviewing my book, please send me an email to elainemalec@gmail.com 

If you've already purchased my book and would like to continue to support me, you can leave a review on: Goodreads Reviews or  Amazon Reviews

GOODREADS GIVEAWAY
Tellwell Publishing is the self-publishing company that I have been working with. They set up a Goodreads Giveaway for me. Unfortunately (for all my Canadian family and friends) it is only open for US residents. FORTUNATELY, for my US friends and family, you can enter HERE for a chance to win 1 of 100 ebooks. The giveaway contest ends on August 30th. 

lim ləmt | THANK YOU
We almost halfway through AUGUST!! How crazy is that. I will share some links to some more podcasts as they are released. I am almost at 3,000 followers on Instagram!  If you aren't following me on Instagram yet, PLEASE DO! I'd love to do a really cool 3K Giveaway soon!
FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM @elaine_alec_writer_speaker