Hello blog readers!
I’ve been operating like a highspeed train for many months now. The launch of my debut book of love sonnets, Two Novembers, has exceeded my expectations, and I couldn’t be more grateful to you for your support. As we all know, taking breaks is just as vital to smooth operations in mental health and careers as fast-tracking. This blog will be on hiatus for the next few weeks as I get some much needed rest and relaxation, before plunging into exciting fall events like Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the start of the holiday season.
I’m going to spend the next few weeks taking it easy, going on vacation, taking care of some home improvement tasks, and finally finishing the TV show Succession.
Things to do while I’m out
Will you miss me while I’m out? (I will miss you!!) Here are some some suggestions of things to do while I’m out!
- Get the app AppBlock. (I am not an affiliate of this app; it’s just something that helps me.) This app has increased my productivity, concentration, and ability to read books! There’s a free version, but I paid a low yearly fee for premium features. With the premium version, I can block my email and social media apps 24/7, making it difficult for me to access them on my phone. Then, when I want to use my email and social media apps, I can unblock them and set a timer. Once the timer ends, I am cut off from using the apps. Now I can have a life outside of work and social media!
- Buy Two Novembers. You can find it at Amazon, Bookshop, Barnes & Noble, and your favorite indie bookstores. I’ve had many readers tell me that Two Novembers is a page-turner that makes them blush and laugh out loud! It’s a quick read with a fun, catchy rhythm and rhyme that will have you bopping. Plus: read it aloud for extra fun!
- Submit a purchase request to your library. Do you want to read Two Novembers, but don’t want to pay for it? Ask your local public library to add it to their collection! Simply sign in to your public library’s online system using your library card. Then look for a link or button that says something like Purchase Request and fill in the form. If you need help with this, librarians are generally nice people who will be glad to help you if you call them or walk in to your local branch.
- Get the app Yuka. (I am not an affiliate of this app; it’s just something that helps me.) Scan the barcode of any food item, and this app will tell you how healthy it is. I just learned through this app that the Post cereal I have been eating lately (because my usual go-to cereal, Grape-Nuts, was out of stock, lol) is not healthy at all. And I learned that my go-to frozen burrito is healthy. Test your own cupboard!
- Write a guest blog post. Have you read a great book lately that you loved and are dying to share with others? You can write a guest blog post for the blog for the discerning reader—and get published online and read by hundreds of subscribers! See my guidelines here.
- Leave an Amazon review for Two Novembers. Have you read Two Novembers? Did you like it? I cannot express how important Amazon customer reviews are for authors. Please take a moment and submit a 5-star review with a couple written sentences on my book’s Amazon page. This helps immensely! You don’t have to have purchased the book from Amazon to leave a review.
- Join Patreon, either free or paid. I have accumulated a lovely backlist of articles on Patreon. Some you can access with a paid membership, and some are free. The articles are about classic and modern books, incidental musings, and author life sneak peeks. Lots to discover there! Note: do not purchase through the Apple App Store on an iPhone. The Apple App Store is charging crazy extra fees for Patreon subscriptions. Purchase through any browser (like Chrome or Safari) or any Android phone and you will be good.
- Register to vote. If you’re a U.S. citizen, are you registered to vote? Click here to register or update your registration. I just received my mail-in ballot. It’s time to have our voices heard!
Coming up on the blog for the discerning reader
Here are some things to look forward to!
- Heartwarming Gift Baskets for Book Lovers: I am preparing a very special gift for holidays, birthdays, special occasions, and self-care. Know someone (a loved one or yourself!) who might enjoy a heartwarming gift basket . . . that contains books? Coming soon, in time for the 2024 holiday season!
- Halloween: one of my very favorite holidays! Do you have your costume planned? I do!
- Liza’s Book Club: I’m delaying the blog post for the next LBC pick, but it’s coming soon!
- Best. Modern. Books. More blog posts about the best modern books coming soon!
I’m off for some R&R now. Have a great next few weeks!
ā¤ļø Liza
P.S. Those Amazon reviews really do help. Most authors with hopping careers have at least 25 Amazon reviews. Will you help me get there?
P.P.S. Do you like sweet love stories, dating fail stories, introspection about the strangeness and complexity of life, and loads of humor and wit? You’ll find all this in my debut book of poetry, Two Novembers, published by Beltway Editions on July 1, 2024!
P.P.P.S. Vote!!!! (And check out my blog post The Perils of Democracy, if you have the stomach for it.)
