#IWSG MARCH 4th Book Launches & Big Idea Challenge

 

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting! Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post. And please be sure your avatar links back to your blog! Otherwise, when you leave a comment, people can't find you to comment back.

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

The awesome co-hosts for the March 4 posting of the IWSG are PJ Colando, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, and Natalie Aguirre!

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Remember, the question is optional! 
March 4 question - What elements do you include in your book launch? Or what do you have in mind for your future book launch? Or what advice do you have to offer to others planning to launch a book?

My answer: 
When Launching a Book, I Always Keep These Basics in Mind
When launching a book, I always remind myself that the work doesn’t end when the manuscript is finished. In fact, that's when a new phase begins—one full of excitement and hard work. There are some basic steps to keep in mind that can make the process smoother and more successful. Here’s what I’ve learned about launching your first book.

1. Know Your Audience
Before you even start thinking about a launch date, you need to understand who you're writing for. Who are your readers? Knowing your target audience helps you decide everything from your book cover to your marketing strategy. Whether you're writing for fans of romance, fantasy, or paranormal, identifying your audience early will shape the way you promote your book.

2. Set Your Date & Plan Ahead
Choose a launch date well in advance. I recommend giving yourself 2–3 months of prep time. A well-executed launch takes more than just announcing the release. It requires a lead-up, the right activities on the day, and post-launch follow-ups. The more time you have to prepare, the better!

3. Build Your Author Platform
This is the time to really show up online. Create or update your author website, social media profiles, and email list. I know it’s tempting to focus only on the writing, but your platform is just as important. Engage with potential readers, share updates, and build a community around your work.

4. Don’t Forget Goodreads
If you’re not already on Goodreads, it’s time to get there. Goodreads is a powerful tool for authors. It allows you to connect directly with readers, join relevant groups, and even host giveaways to get early reviews. The site has a built-in audience of book lovers who want to discover new books, so getting your book listed and engaging with readers there is essential.

5. Get Reviews Early
Speaking of reviews, start collecting them as early as possible. Reach out to book bloggers, readers, and influencers within your genre. Advanced reviews can help boost your book’s visibility on platforms like Amazon and Goodreads. The more reviews you have, the more likely it is that new readers will take a chance on your book.

6. Create a Launch Plan
A clear launch plan is crucial. Break down your timeline into pre-launch, launch day, and post-launch phases. Use a mix of social media posts, email newsletters, virtual book tours, giveaways, and even paid ads to spread the word. If you want to use paid ads, they can definitely help you, but you don’t have to go that route. There are other ways to get the word out that might be more affordable, though they may require a bit more work on your part.

7. Celebrate the Launch
Launch day is finally here—don’t forget to celebrate! Host a virtual party, run a special promotion, or do giveaways to keep the momentum going. Show your excitement and thank your readers for their support. They’ll appreciate the personal touch, and it helps to build long-term connections with your audience.
Launching your first book can feel overwhelming, but with these basics in place, you’ll be prepared. Focus on building connections, planning ahead, and using platforms like Goodreads to help get your book in front of the right readers. It’s all part of the journey, and before you know it, your book will be out in the world!

What plans are you making for your book launch?

The Novelty is offering the 
Big Idea Challenge, starting March 2.

During March, writers taking part in the Big Idea Challenge will receive:

• A live writing class with Booker Prize winner Yann Martel (Life of Pi)

• Weekly group study sessions

• Panels with New York Times bestselling authors

• A synopsis workshop with a Penguin Random House editor

• Our online accountability challenge group

When they sign up, they will get our new program, The Big Idea course, which includes 30 plot-building lessons and a one-to-one coaching session with a bestselling novelist. Plus they’ll get access to live classes and workshops for a full year.

Writers can sign up here at The Big Idea. 

Special incentives will be provided for the Insecure Writer's Support Group.

Do You Listen?

 

Anyone else dealing with lots of the crappy white stuff?

Whether you are. Whether you aren't.

Listen up for second.

They say...who they are, beats me....but they say that each snowflake is different. No two are exactly the same.

And that's it for me. We are done. No need to listen any longer.

Wasn't that an easy post? You calling me lazy? Didn't we go over this? I'm just not listening.

Okay. I guess I wasn't thorough enough to be through. Or through enough to be thorough? Take your pick on which one you like best.

Why do you listen?

We aren't talking about things like when that little voice in your head tells you not to run the very slow driver off the road. Listen to that. Unless you're into four walls and a cell for a few years. I suppose that would be one way to get some writing time.

We are talking about all the nitpicking. The scoffs. Sometimes even the good stuff.

Yes. It is nice to hear the good stuff, but does it change anything with your finished work? Does it help you improve? If not...Don't Listen! You don't ever want to be up in your own head so much that you forget to strive to improve.

How does this relate to snowflakes? Well just like every snowflake is different, so they say, every person is different. You will never please everyone. No matter how much you want to, how much you try, how much you beg, it will never ever happen. Trying to please, listening to please, or anything of the like will just make you miserable and/or leave you insane.

Instead, stay mostly sane and not miserable and know that even though, much like snowflakes, you can't see it behind your screen, each person is different. Unless it is critical, whether bad or good, and you can learn or grow from it...Don't Listen!

It doesn't have to be all or nothing. There is good advice, but then there is bad advice disguised as good advice. Maybe the latter is what this is. Who knows? Ask a mime to get an answer. That last one is likely bad advice, so don't listen.

If you make it a habit not to listen then you will make it a habit not to let things bother you.

Pretty soon many writers, probably been a fair amount already, will get accused of using AI to write their stories.

Again, you know the truth, don't listen. The more you engage with those who are just trying to get under your skin, on your back, or whatever other idiom body part saying you can think of, then the more they will engage.

The only opinion people like that want to hear is their opinion coming out of your, or another's, mouth.

Don't listen.

And if you need help not listening then picture yourself as two dogs who act deaf, but are always ready to bark at a squirrel. Maybe you could even try barking at the trolls. Could work. Hey! A rubber room gives you plenty of alone time to write as well. Also, it's more fun and bouncy than the other type of cell.

But who am I? Maybe you have a better way. If so....Don't Listen!

Unless your way is to pretend to be an ostrich and stick your head in the ground. That can't be good for you. Think of the worms that may crawl into your ears.

What do you do not to listen? Do you listen too much to what is said about your work? Do you listen too much to what is said about you in general?

Feel free to leave any tips. I might listen. Or I might bark. 

Depends on the day.

Insecure Writer’s Support Group Day and Writing/Marketing Scams

It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. We encourage everyone to visit at least a dozen new blogs and leave a comment. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs.

The awesome co-hosts for the February 4 posting of the IWSG are J Lenni Dorner, Victoria Marie Lees, and Sandra Cox!

February 4 question - Many writers have written about the experience of rereading their work years later. Have you reread any of your early works? What was that experience like for you?

Marketing Scams

A lot of marketing scams are out there, eager to take advantage of unsuspecting people. Writers and authors need to become familiar with them and avoid their pitfalls:

From Tod Newman - When AI Becomes a Weapon: The Rise of Sophisticated Book Marketing Scams

Anne R. Allen has a couple recent articles -
Update on those Flattering AI Book Marketing Scams
New Scam Alert for Authors

From Rod Raglin - New sophisticated publishing scam targets struggling authors on Amazon

And from Writer Beware, their top writing scams of 2005. There are a lot!

Keep on top of the information and don’t get taken!

Are there any other scams or sites warning writers that we should know about?

Artificial Intelligence

2026 is going to be an interesting and challenging year for authors and publishers. There has been a huge shift in how creative writing is produced, and it’s due to Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI is already having a serious impact on what people write, how they write it, and how readers react.

Pixabay

Proponents for AI say that it increases productivity and helps in overcoming writer’s block. They tout the fact that writers can delegate the “dishwashing” aspect of writing to AI. 

For example, AI can generate plot points or character names. It can make things like tone and style consistent throughout a manuscript—especially a lengthy one. Certainly, it can catch many of the grammar and punctuation mistakes, eliminating a lot of line edit issues. If you’re publishing online, it can create Keywords and SEO in a matter of seconds.

Opponents call into question the ethics of using AI because it is trained by models of work that have already been created by someone. If a writer asks for AI to generate a story based on their idea, and it kicks out a complete work, are they the creator, or is someone else who has helped train AI? 

Here is what one search asking that question produced: 

“…the human author is generally considered the author if they provide significant creative input, guidance, and substantially rewrite or arrange the AI's output…”

There are no descriptors that delineate what significant creative input, guidance, or substantial re-writing mean. 

Both proponents and opponents warn about the cost of a heavy reliance on AI. It can produce a flat, generic tone, it can generate false information, and it can lack uniqueness. 

Even though the industry says that AI is a “collaborative tool,” and not one meant to replace humans, one main concern that has been expressed is that as writers come to rely on AI, it may lead to lessening or ending the need for human writers.

But what about readers?

It seems that readers complain a lot about the lack of accuracy, authenticity, and especially the non-human feeling of AI-generated writing. The interesting thing is that while they complain about this non-human writing, people are reading it. 

Here's an interesting article about just that. The Irony of AI Complaints. 

The First Wedneday of the New Year!

Join Us!

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting! Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post. And please be sure your avatar links back to your blog! Otherwise, when you leave a comment, people can’t find you to comment back.

The awesome co-hosts for the January 7 posting of the IWSG are Shannon Lawrence, Olga Godim, Jean Davis, and Jacqui Murray!

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.

Remember, the question is optional!

January 7 question - Is there anything in your writing plans for 2026 that you are going to do that you couldn’t get done in 2025?

Yep! I’ll see a new book published by Evernight Teen. I had hoped it would be released in 2025, but the publisher was busy, so I had to be patient. That’s okay. It’s something to look forward to this year.

Outside of that, I’ll just keep posting a short story on each Wednesday on Substack unless, of course, I can’t come up with something. Then I’ll punt!

Be sure to visit our co-hosts and other members to see what they have planned for this year! 

Happy 2026!