Fighting The "Slump": The Struggle To Write After A New Release

Let me be honest... I'm fighting the "slump": the struggle to write after a new release. 

For those who don't know me, I've always tried to keep my writing/publishing journey honest, open, and transparent. It is for that reason that (after going through this four different times) I'm shining a blaring spotlight on what seems to be a common but hush-hush topic in the writing community.

The Slump. 

The dreaded one-to-two week period after a new release where the weight of this career comes crashing back down on you. 
The moment when you judge your success (and often your value as an author/creative) based on little ticks and sales charts, or the lack of those little ticks and sales.

It's in those days following a release that you breathe, you try to celebrate, but an undying question of "will readers connect with my work?" "will they like my work?" "was it worth everything I just went through to put it out in the world" comes crashing down on you.

"Am I worth it?"
"Should I keep writing?"
"Why am I doing this?"

Publishing books is not about the money for me. It never has been. I edit for a living, and I adore my job. I could edit books for years and never tire of the excitement of cracking open a new book and helping a new author bring their world to life.

No, I'm looking for something more.

Connection.
Representation.
Relatability.

To find my "tribe", as it is. 

When you cross the publishing finish line, which you've been pushing for like a marathon runner up hills in the blistering heat, there's no relief. The finish line moves. It drags you along to the next book, the next project - the next step in a staircase that will only end when you walk away.

But I don't want it to stop. Not really. 

If you're reading this as a fellow author looking for a reassurance that this is normal and it will pass, here is your encouragement. It is normal. It does normally pass. But you have to make your "why" front-and-center. You have to keep writing for you. 

Money comes and goes. So can fame. But the joy of knowing at least one other human being on Earth read your book and said, "yes! This is what I've been waiting for." is enough to make it all worth it. 

If you think of me this week, a note of encouragement means more than I can ever say. 

Dear Readers, thank you for reading my books. Thank you for making my journey one worth taking. I would happily go through a hundred slumps just to share my worlds with you.

​~Katherine

P.S., if you'd like to see which books I should be finishing right now instead of fighting the Slump, check out:

-The Slayer Queen
-Splitting Dawn
-Starfire Express