Launch parties, ISBN enquiries and deadline pressure :)

I sat in front of my laptop agonising over how to start, continue and end this weeks blog. To be honest, it has been a really long and not-so-easy week the past seven days - more like the past month.

With the self-imposed deadline of the Gemini looming over my head I have found myself unable to help the overwhelming feeling that seems to be choking the life out of me (haha, just kidding...not :o). I'm not a perfectionist, or at least I don't believe that I am despite having changed almost 60% of the book (not really, just modified), but with D-day coming along, nothing seems to be just right. I have probably changed my choice of printers three times in the past week, at some point I even considered changing the cover page of the book even though I've been super happy with it for the past few months, and to top it all off I kinda sort of feel like I should be starting the whole book over.

With that being said, my head is madder than a funhouse infiltrated by a million little ovary demons or as society likes to call them - children (lolz - laughing out loud zebras). But on a lighter note, I finally contacted the National Library of South Africa. Now, close your eyes (if you can read with your eyes closed) and imagine a little old Leomile anxiously typing an email to the NLSA and only a few hours later receiving a response back. We were giggling madly and shrieking like psychotic little hyenas, not really though. I keep my cool under pressure and excitement. Imagine the widest smile ever, Pennywise style, on my little manic face when I received that email.

Now mind you, I know a lot of people wouldn't be getting overly excited receiving a simple old email, but for me it's these little moments that really drill it into my head. I'm actually doing this. I am professionally publishing a book and I only wish that I had a large enough following to actually have a book launch party. Unfortunately people wouldn't buy tickets to go to a party centered around books (at least I don't think so). But just because I'm not having a party doesn't mean I won't be celebrating. Afterall, after writing, celebrating things is my favorite thing to do.

Maybe after a year of five I'll finally have the book release of my dream which will also double as my official coming out party as a self-made author (does self-made only refer to successful people or to anyone who is doing it by themselves?). Or maybe I should do a poll to see if something small is doable?

IMPORTANT:

• Please comment below if you think I should or shouldn't have a small release party where you'll buy tickets or at least pay for your own choice of drink (I'm amicable to negotiations).

• Please click on the little 'heart' to like at the end of the post and if you really feel like you enjoy these posts, follow the blog and share on all your social platforms.

• Please laugh, even if it's forcefull because laughter is the best medicine and we all need that daily dose of endorphines. And lastly, do something for someone. It doesn't have to be something nice, so even if you pelt someone with a peble today and tomorrow it's still fine because you did something.

Well when all is said and done, I think I did good today. Kind of.

Oh I almost forgot: since most of the post is related to the Gemini, I feel like I have to add that I'm still only at around 75% done (note that my estimations are not accurate, I could be off by 30%).

And last but not least, don't forget to check out my Instagram and Tiktok. There are other social media accounts but the two are my most frequently visited and therefore most active. Anddddd, verified authors are starting to follow me on socials now. (Yay! cheering with my silver pompoms which really exists) So follow me before I become a shallow recluse and alcoholic author (please note that this is a gross over dramaticised generalisation of authors and is in no way true or viable - I hope :o).

Lots of Love

L <3