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

-Grab your copy exclusively on Amazon HERE
-It's available for purchase, and you can also read it for free with Kindle unlimited!
-Add it to your Goodreads HERE or Bookbub HERE
-Let others know what you thought of my first dark fantasy romance by leaving a review on Amazon, Goodreads, or Bookbub!

The winning name will be drawn at random on March 25th, 2022.

The name will be revealed only in my upcoming novella, Angel's Abdication (pre-order before its April 9th release HERE), and in an announcement to my newsletter subscribers (sign up HERE). 

**Entries are now CLOSED. The winning name will be e-mailed to my e-mail list and written in Angel's Abdication​.**
​

This blog post is something different from my normal news. Today I want to share how you can help Bekah Berge write without pain again.

As a thank-you for stepping up in support, I will also be giving out some FREE books to those who donate before 11:59pm CST on March 21st 2022.

Bekah is a pillar of the Indie Author Community. 
Despite a painful battle with CRPS, she remains encouraging to others, selflessly uplifting, and a warrior. 

Her battle has been an inspiration, and today she is working through treatment at the Spero Clinic in order to regain a life with less pain.

One of the big goals of her treatment is regaining the ability to write without pain. Bekah supports others' written worlds, and it's our turn to support hers.

With that being said, I am offering THREE free book offers to anyone who donates to Bekah's GoFundMe HERE:

-Donate $5 US to Bekah's GoFundMe for a free Amazon US e-book copy of both Down Falls The Queen AND Down Falls The King; my duology about Tengu Warrior Princess Rei.

-Donate $10 US to Bekah's GoFundMe for a free Amazon US e-book copy of The Vow That Twisted Fate, my Amazon bestselling novel

-Donate $20 US to Bekah's GoFundMe for a free Amazon US e-book copy of both Angel's Abdication AND Angel's Ascendance, my dark fantasy romance duology about Demon King Draco and Angel Princess Seracuse, on release day (April 9th and August 9th 2022).

**This giveaway has now closed. Thank you for your support!**

International Disclaimer: If you are not in the USA, you may not be able to claim Amazon US gifted e-books. Please e-mail contact@katherinedgraham.com in order to claim a generic e-book instead of Amazon.

Now that my second year as an indie author is officially rolling, a new chapter in my writing journey is here. 

When I began this journey in October 2020, my mentorship with Lindsey Teske from Of Ink and Pearls Publishing set me on my path and gave me the tools to make it where I am today. To say Lindsey's advice was invaluable is a gross understatement. I truly believe that without her foundations, I would not have had the success I did as a debut Epic Fantasy author.

Once The Vow That Twisted Fate launched, though, and Lindsey and I parted ways, I found myself riding the waves that are the highs of a book release and the lows of imposter syndrome. 

Self-publishing isn't necessarily easy.

Who am I kidding? It's downright challenging.

But it's the most rewarding thing I've ever done as an author.

With that being said, after 7 months of trying to find my place in the indie author scene, of writing multiple novellas and participating in interviews, live chats, and more, I am ready to move into a new chapter in my writing journey. 

I have signed an Elite Mentorship contract with Dragon Realm Press!

One of the most important lessons I've learned as an indie author has been to be humble and teachable. There are always new things to learn, always ways to improve, and being open and eager to learn from those who have achieved what I myself wish to achieve is the key to growth.

How does this affect my book/publishing schedule?

For already-scheduled books, it doesn't affect the schedule.

-The Slayer Queen is still in the works to be included in an anthology this summer
-Angel's Abdication (April 9th) and Angel's Ascendance (August 9th) are both still on schedule for release as planned
-Splitting Dawn is still a part of the Realm of Darkness box set, which comes out in October

What this new chapter does mean, though, is that I will be learning how to better share my work with the world, and how to make the most of the non-writing time I have. I am ready to be more intentional with my time, and move beyond 'coasting'. 

I am excited for this new step into potentially becoming a full-time author in the future! My hope is that this means I will have more books for you without the long waits, and that those books will find homes on new shelves, too. 

Thank you for joining me on my writing journey!

If you're an aspiring author or indie author who'd like to hear about some tools/tips that have helped me make it this far, check out my YouTube series (the March schedule can be seen HERE ).