And the Answer is… NO

Events. You don’t HAVE to go to all of them. That’s a common mistake newly published authors make. Of course, when you first launch a book, there’s the old cardinal rule “I must go where I’m invited.” For the most part, that’s very true. Especially at the beginning when you are VERY unknown, even in your own community. However, a shift will eventually come. You’ll feel it. You may not know what it is, but you will definitely feel it. And one day you’ll find yourself saying “do I really want to do THAT event?”

That’s a great sign. It means that your career is moving in the right direction because suddenly you find you have to pace yourself. Therefore, do not ever fall into the trap of thinking you have to attend every event you’re invited to. I recently crossed one off my list for a variety of reasons because it simply wasn’t right for me. It was a bad choice of dates for such an event, and it was primarily all one genre…which wasn’t mine. That doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with the event. It just means the event wasn’t right for ME.

Once you start rolling, don’t be afraid to turn things down if you don’t think they’re good for you. This is particularly true if you don’t have an agent. Like me… I’m a one-woman show. I can’t afford to make mistakes. So if something feels wrong or I know that there’s some flaws in the organization of it or it's being held on a date that’s a deterrent rather than a draw, I’m probably going to pass it up. You should too. Don’t ever feel like you always have to “be nice.” You’re not being unkind to politely turn something down that will not do anything to further your career. Write on!