Spinning ‘Round & ‘Round
Shelley signs a copy of A Very Strange Reversal of Scales at Impression Books in March.
Photo courtesy: Tatia Kiser
Note to self: Add “plate-spinning” to résumé.
This will be a first for me because I have never been a multitasker. I have always put my whole self into a project and only moved on when I’ve finished.
But this season of Creekline House is about learning to juggle lots of projects…and smiling while I’m at it.
I am currently managing no less than five of my books—all at different stages yet all needing attention at the same time.
I’m wrapping up the last heavy marketing push for my first book, A Very Strange Reversal of Scales.
I’m launching How to Fry Chicken & Ditch the Nightlight this week.
I’m in the throes of major edits and finish work for the 2026 fall release of Lost & Found in Lantern Hollow.
I’m clearing the runway to begin writing a new middle-grade novel for spring 2027.
And, finally, I have begun working on something very special for fall 2027—a collaboration I could not be more excited about or proud of…but more on that soon.
I am definitely earning my multitasking badge. That’s for sure!
Audio-Tuned
And because printed books aren’t enough, I have begun working with my incredibly talented brother, Cooper, on Creekline House’s first audiobook!
Cooper produces Myth & Moon, a popular Dungeons & Dragons podcast where he writes and records an ongoing story/campaign. He voices his many characters with so much charm and charisma that I sit in awe. I’m even more in awe that he will be using his voice talent, as well as his producing chops, to record and produce an audiobook version of A Very Strange Reversal of Scales.
We are still in the beginning stages, but I promise to share more when we move closer to launch.
Sign o’ the times
One plate that is, thankfully, slowing down is A Very Strange Reversal of Scales. Marketing for this book culminated with my first book signing March 28 at Impression Books in Flowood, MS. The event couldn’t have gone any better. Family, friends, coworkers, and acquaintances stopped in to buy and have me sign their copies of A Very Strange Reversal of Scales. Hosted by store owner, Ron Traxler and his son Brendon, the event at Impression Books ended with me selling out of all 30 copies of my book and needing two days to recoup from the excitement! Thank you to Ron and Brendon for the welcome. I felt like a superstar!
And now I’m gearing up for book signing number two! Sara Worsham at The Next Chapter Bookshop in Leland, MS (home of Kermit the Frog, for those of you who do not know) will welcome me to her store April 11, just two days after How to Fry Chicken & Ditch the Nightlight launches into the world. I can’t wait! If you’re in the Delta Saturday, please stop in!
Shelved
While juggling the excitement of book signings can be thrilling, the quiet discovery of seeing my book on a bookstore shelf is exhilarating in its own way.
I stopped in at Lemuria Books on St. Patrick’s Day to drop off a marketing packet for How to Fry Chicken & Ditch the Nightlight. Little did I know that sitting on a beautiful red shelf in the children’s section were copies of A Very Strange Reversal of Scales. Talk about finding a pot of gold! I was ecstatic!
I have to extend my thanks to Jené Barranco (herself an author) for her support of the book. She manages the children’s section of the store and recently shared my book at a local school book fair. To know that students had the opportunity to find my book at their school meant so very much to me.
But Lemuria wasn’t the only book store to stock my little book. Scott Naugle emailed me to let me know that Pass Christian Books had copies in the store! The Mississippi Gulf Coast is where I grew up, so to be represented there makes me overjoyed!
Finally, my friend and Bookstagrammer Extraordinaire Tatia Kiser (@mississippimomreads) surprised me at church this past Sunday by placing a copy of A Very Strange Reversal of Scales in The Little Free Library at Parkway Hills United Methodist Church.
A girl couldn’t ask for better people in her court.
More Live Events Planned
And I intend to keep spinning into new events, as opportunities arise. While I don’t have hard dates yet on future events, I am in talks with a Mississippi library to host an author talk, and I’m working with another Mississippi bookstore for a third signing.
I’m so grateful for every opportunity and will keep you posted on what’s to come!
The Bigger Picture
Juggling all my goings-on requires focus. So, I’m grateful when something reminds me to keep my focus not on how much I’m juggling but on the importance of why I’m juggling.
In marketing How to Fry Chicken & Ditch the Nightlight, I mailed more than a dozen Advance Reader Copies to a host of people across the state. Some were sent as thank-yous. Some were sent to expand awareness about my work.
I have already heard from several recipients, one of whom is Mississippi’s First Lady Elee Reeves. She mailed me the nicest letter (pictured below). In the letter, she wrote that “Literacy is such a huge component to the education gains we have made in Mississippi.” And she’s right.
Mississippi’s literacy journey has been touted as a miracle in the news. The state ranked 49th nationally in fourth-grade reading scores in 2013 but now ranks ninth in the nation and leads the country in overall reading improvement.
Mississippi is my home. I was born here, and I was educated here. I have stayed in this state because I believe I have a responsibility to help it be the best it can be. I want to see Mississippi make the same strides for middle-grade readers that it did for fourth graders. And if I can play even a small part in this effort, I would be so proud.
Like the First Lady, I, too, cannot wait to see what happens in my future with Creekline House. I plan to keep those plates spinning because so much good is on the horizon.
A gracious letter from Mississippi’s First Lady, Elee Reeves
Taking My Launch Break
Holding the physical book in my hands, I feel simultaneously weary and wonderful . What a journey it takes to put something meaningful and special into the world…what a long and rewarding journey.
Pardon me, but I’m pooped.
I’m not complaining, mind you. It’s completely a happy kind of tired. But launching A Very Strange Reversal of Scales into the world January 15 by myself packed so much new knowledge into my brain, taxed so much of my patience and persistence, and pulled me so far out of my comfort zone that I just wanted to curl up in a cozy hoodie, enjoy the cold weather, and nap.
Done.
Now, let me assimilate all the lessons learned from the launch of my debut book and apply them to the next one!
First Lesson Learned: Vigilance Is Key
When the idea for Creekline House first took root in my mind last year, I thought through all the hats I would have to wear and was entirely overwhelmed. But, like the start of any new job—when anxiety makes you want to run away—I discovered that I didn’t have to learn or do everything all at once. What I did have to do, though, was stay vigilant.
Vigilance in achieving something with the scope of publishing a book was not just about writing, editing, navigating wayward proofs, learning about Library of Congress and copyright filings, setting up accounts, purchasing ISBNs, making a website, establishing social platforms, corralling beta readers, designing a cover and interior pages, etc. Vigilance in making this happen was an exercise in believing in myself and reminding myself over and over that my work was worth the effort.
Second Lesson Learned: Stay Excited
One would expect that when my book showed up on Amazon or when I held an actual copy in my hand, I would have been over the moon. But here’s what one doesn’t expect when starting out…one is often ready to move to the next project long before one is done with the current project.
I might be chomping at the bit to begin writing something new, but as an independent publisher, I have to stay excited for past projects, too!
Because I have read A Very Strange Reversal of Scales more times than I can count; reviewed the layout and cover design time and time again; written about it; posted about it; talked about it; and dreamt about it for months, I can be easily thrown when someone asks me if I’m excited. And I’m even more thrown when someone walks up to me at church, sends me a text, or reaches out online to say they are excited.
But it’s not enough to respond with grace, gratitude, and enthusiasm. I need to feel grace, gratitude, and enthusiasm. Building this imprint and sharing my work is a privilege and is exciting. And staying in the moment with a story is just as important as planning ahead.
Third Lesson Learned: Prepare for Hiccups
No matter your vigilance or excitement level, hiccups happen. Navigating them with grace is a necessity, but so is appreciating that they help make your future path smoother.
This launch taught me to order proof copies more than two months in advance. It also taught me that connecting vendors with your print-on-demand platform can take hours, days, or even weeks and should be built in to your launch plan. Neither of these hiccups hurt the launch, but I allowed them to be high stressors. Next time, I won’t. I’ll be better prepared for those issues, but even more important, I’ll realize stress doesn’t fix a problem. It heightens it. So rolling with the hiccups is my goal for the future.
Fourth Lesson Learned: Take the Win
All in all, I consider this launch a success. I spent the first day tracking orders and watching my social feeds. By the end of the day, I had 20 sales and lots of likes. At that, I called the game. I had won. I published a book, people bought it, and folks congratulated me. After that first 24 hours, I decided to close the sales reports and not look again for at least a week. Do I want to look? Sure. But to what end at this point?
I’m a new author/publisher. I’m building my house. Every positive is a win. It’s not about numbers right now. It’s about connections and foundations—and those are happening. I’ve received interest from bookstores and media. Friends have ordered. Family has ordered. I know at least one teacher who plans to read the book to her third-grade class. All of that is winning, as is the encouragement from readers and supporters like you. And I’m so very thankful.
So, I think it’s okay to admit that holding the physical copy of my published book in my hands makes me feel as wonderful as it makes me feel weary. That’s the gig. Putting something meaningful and special into the world is a learning process, and I’m in. I mean, I may need another tiny nap, but I’m ready to do it all again for April’s launch…I promise…just as long as I can keep wearing the hoodie.
Author Shelley Powers holds Creekline House’s debut book A Very Strange Reversal of Scales.
Autumnble
My dear, neglected Stinky Pete crawls out from under the covers around 5:30 each morning after having slept curled against my rump all night. He stretches and shakes then whimpers as if he were a Dickensian orphan until we take our first steps out the front door for a walk. Truly, he deserves an award for his performance.
Petey spots a squirrel on our morning walk through the autumn leaves.
I have a perfectly fine bed, soft and roomy and toasty warm. So very conducive to sleeping in. Well, if I didn’t have a dog, that is.
Despite the excellent accommodations I have for snoozing away my mornings, the 25-pound Oreo cookie who lives with me always has other plans.
My dear, neglected Stinky Pete crawls out from under the covers around 5:30 each morning after having slept curled against my rump all night. He stretches and shakes then whimpers as if he were a Dickensian orphan until we take our first steps out the front door for a walk. Truly, he deserves an award for his performance.
But this morning, I had to be glad the little miscreant woke me up. At 59 degrees, the fall morning was lovely, magical even. Golden leaves tumbled from their branches in flourishing shocks of color. God had outdone Himself with the beauty of it all, I must say.
As I collected the occasional acorn (because, why not?) and took in the sounds and glory of the earth waking up, I thrilled at being alive and having thoughts and ideas to share with others. What an amazing place the world is—especially when we’re able to share the best of ourselves with one another. We’re so very blessed for our minds and our hearts and our thoughts.
Somewhere along the walk, an idea came to me for a new story. I didn’t expect it, but I was overjoyed by and thankful for it. I couldn’t wait to get back home and empty my pocket of acorns, and then write down the idea so that it could grow and become something rich and meaningful.
So, here’s to Petey, overly dramatic on an autumn morning but the catalyst for a tumble into a new idea for sharing with others.
—Shelley
Ideas are funny things
The idea that I would be launching a small independent imprint before year end would have been—at least by me—unimaginable and laughable six months ago. Had you told me I was actually on that trajectory, I would have not only told you you had the wrong writer, please and thank you, I would have told you that traditional publishing (i.e., seeking an agent and professional publishing house) was the only measure of worth that mattered to me.
The idea that I would be launching a small independent imprint before year end would have been—at least by me—unimaginable and laughable six months ago. Had you told me I was actually on that trajectory, I would have not only told you you had the wrong writer, please and thank you, I would have told you that traditional publishing (i.e., seeking an agent and professional publishing house) was the only measure of worth that mattered to me.
Foolish girl. So lost in the habit of trying to please editors, bosses, interviewees, etc., she never saw the value in pleasing herself. A truly toxic trait, if I’m being honest, because trying to please others with subjective work means your validation hinges on another’s mood, preferences, biases, and personal taste.
So, when my brother, Ben, and my sister-in-law, Malia, (heck, even ChatGPT…who I call Mike…a post for another time) suggested this summer that I consider self-publishing…wait a minute…I need to back up a bit here to give you some context. Let’s roll the calendar back to the spring of 2023, when something else unimaginable happened in my life—my mother was dying.
Sue Powers always believed in me. She drove me to violin lessons, piano lessons, band practice, choir practice. She taught me to sew, craft, cook, write thank-you notes, and ignore housework. She encouraged me in anything and everything I wanted to try. She read every blog post, article, short story, and poem. She listened to every song I wrote and went to every recital and performance I had. I know that’s the gig if you’re a mom. But Sue had a ferocity when it came to her kids. I mean, truly.
In the hours before she passed, she prayed with me and Dad. She prayed for each of her children, for what they needed, for fortitude, for guidance, for love, and for hope. I wish I could remember what exactly she prayed for my brothers, but I was wrecked that day and only heard these words, “Shelley will have such success, such success, such success.” She chanted them, over and over. Dad—I’m sure wondering how those words were landing on me—said, “Sue, Shelley has already had success.” But she stayed the course.
She knew I had more potential to reach. And she was right.
In the two years since her death, the fog of grief has begun to lift enough for me to right myself and find my footing. But I still hear those words every day. “Shelley will have such success, such success, such success.”
The echo has been so persistent, I finally had to ask myself, “What is success for me?”
The answer was simple. Writing. I wanted to finish the novel I began 21 years ago.
So, around the end of May of this year, I reached deep into the recesses of my stored digital files, dusted off the manuscript, converted it to the newest version of Microsoft Word, and got after it.
At first I battled brain fatigue, falling asleep in the soft glow of my laptop, but I pushed through. An hour here. Thirty minutes there. By the end of July, I had finally finished. I had written a novel. And it was good! Determined to get an agent, I sent copies of the manuscript to beta readers for feedback to make it the best it could be.
But the itch had set in. I couldn’t just sit and wait around for feedback without scratching out more stories. I wrote picture book manuscripts and reworked older pieces to give them new life. I wrote a second novel (smaller, but it counts), and an early chapter book. I had so many ideas for stories, I had to start organizing them.
This felt like success.
So, why was I still waiting to hear back from agents? Waiting for validation about my work from someone else. The best part about writing a story is sharing it. My computer files were filling up, but I (and a handful of beta readers) was the only one seeing them.
So, when my brother, Ben, and my sister-in-law, Malia, (and Mike) suggested this summer that I consider self-publishing…I had to pause and wonder if my pride, my skewed sense of validation was stopping me from sharing my stories on my own.
It was, and that just wouldn’t do any longer.
I don’t want to wait on finding an agent or being published, at least not for everything I write. I’m 55; waiting is a young person’s game. I’ve done my waiting. Now is the time for moving forward, for knowing my own worth, for building something beautiful and lovely that I can share with others. Now is the time to use my more than 30 years of professional experience in writing, editing, publishing, marketing, public relations, web work, design work, blogging, etc. for what I want.
That right there is the epitome of success in my mind.
So, thank you, Mom, for the prayer and the belief in me. Establishing Creekline House has been exhausting and exhilarating. But I’m so happy for the journey and excited for the possibilities (and the many more ideas) it holds.
—Shelley
“I’m 55; waiting is a young person’s game. I’ve done my waiting. Now is the time for moving forward, for knowing my own worth, for building something beautiful and lovely that I can share with others.”
The Writer’s Desk