I learned something new about myself

Jun 04, 2026 12:01 pm

G'day, ,

I'm back in your inbox, and we're almost halfway through the year. Yikes!

Since my last email, I learned something new about myself. I sort of figured that at 57, I knew myself pretty well, but this new discovery came out of left field and surprised me.

I've learned that I need praise and rewards. (Not the sexy kind either)

Colour me surprised. I literally had no idea.

And you may be squinting at your screen in confusion, but let me explain.

I've been publishing since February 2021, and instead of my readership growing, I feel it's shrinking. With each book I release, I get less reviews (praise), less sales and less page reads in Kindle Unlimited (rewards). It's demoralising.

I don't want to be a Debbie Downer (see what I did there?) but I'm human and I experience ups and downs like everyone else. Author life has felt heavy and impossible lately, and I feel like I'm constantly slogging up a muddy mountain. I've felt so low this past month that I wanted to give up. What's the point in writing stories if I can't get eyes on them?

But something unexpected happened. A new reader discovered my books and has been binge-reading them (rewards). They've been messaging me with their excited theories and their love for my characters and stories (praise). Every message has felt like CPR for my dying author career. It sparked my long-lost enthusiasm, and I've returned to Nix and Abbi's story, eager to finish it.

This experience also showed me that we never stop learning about who we are and what makes us tick. Who knew? Not me.

So, can I be cheeky and ask you a favour (I really do hate asking, ugh!)?

If you've ever read and enjoyed any of my books—which I sort of assume you have since you signed up for my newsletter—would you be so kind as to go back and leave reviews of the books you've read and enjoyed (praise). It would really help new people find my books (rewards) and give me a little boost.

A review doesn't need to be long and detailed. It just needs to include what you loved about the story and how it made you feel. A few words from you would mean the world to me.

Thank you from your needy writer. 💜💜💜

I hope you have an awesome month, and I'll chat with you again in July (unless I have something really exciting to report!).

I'm sorry to tell you I still haven't written those two magic words—the end— on Nix and Abbi's story. My motivation disappeared into the ether, and I only recently found it again.

I really do appreciate your patience and hope to have a more exciting update next month.

I promise this story is worth the wait. Abbi and Nix will be a couple who will stay with you long after you finish reading the last page of their story.

I'm still working my way through the Like Us series by Krista and Becca Ritchie. The three I've read this month are about poly relationship between Sullivan Meadows, Akara Kitsuwon and Banks Moretti. I've only ever read one book featuring a poly relationship before and I have to say the idea of two men at my beck and call sounds ... exhausting. lol

I was fortunate to receive an ARC of Alexis Maree's latest installment in her Kings of Hell series. There are only two books left, and I'm itching to see how it all plays out. Even though her Heroes are demons who 'unalive' and 'torture' other beings, they are incredibly sweet and respectful toward their heroines. They have me swooning left and right!