I can’t believe your year mark for quitting your job is in just a week! 2020 was the slowest and fastest year in the history of years for me. I’m so happy you were able to accomplish so much in December and January despite getting sick. I’m glad you’re finally feeling like yourself again too. What you said about setting boundaries and resting and coming up with a schedule resonated because I’ve been feeling the same. I’m a full-time author and a caregiver. I don’t have any other job so why am I working 7 days a week and staying up all night only to get back up in 4 to 6 hours to do it all over again? I’ve decided I need two days off from writing, editing and anything else with being an author. It’s going to take time but I’m practicing and hopefully it’ll work and I can come up with a reasonable schedule for myself.
@@TheCourtneyProject That’s good! It’s just so easy to work too much when you love what you’re doing. But I think breaks and actual days off will help a lot. I hope you can still find some me time this year despite your busy schedule.
Hi Courtney, You all have been on my mind for the past few days with all the snow storm madness going on in Texas. I know this vid may have been pre-recorded but I hope y'all are doing okay. It continues to be so inspirational to hear what's new in your journey. Congrats on practically completing your first year woohoo!!!! Keep on slashing through goals and being a superstar!
Aww thanks so much Deidre! I recorded this on Feb 1 so the storm wasn’t even a thing at that point but I’m lucky and didn’t have to deal with anything other than a few minor inconveniences compared to others. I never lost power, just water pressure, and we’ll be under a boil water notice for the next week. Not complaining though because all of my neighbors pipes burst. My dads place is running generators and my mom lost power for 12 hours and water for a day but got it back pretty quickly. ❤️❤️❤️ 2021 better not be 2020’s younger sibling. 😆
I know this was a year ago, but it broke my heart a little to hear you say to "push through sickness". It's completely okay to take off work and focus on healing! Oftentimes when we push ourselves, we start sicker longer, or the illness can even turn chronic in some cases (happened to me). This way of thinking is almost exclusive to the US; I've found many other countries with mandatory time off have much healthier attitudes towards work life balance, and it's the norm to take 6-8 weeks off a year, with plenty of sick time. Please take care of yourself, Courtney!
I was exhausted by just listening to all the things you did over the past two months! I understand pushing yourself to the limit. I learned that those behaviors aren't healthy (my problem back then was saying no) and you do have to be kind to yourself. At the very least give yourself one day off a week. If you were working for someone else, you at least got two days off work. I know you're the co-captain of your ship and you don't want to fall behind. But to be the best you can be, you need a break here and there. Anyway, good luck on reaching your goals this year just don't forget about your personal well-being 🙂
I have a problem with saying no as well. One of my many weaknesses! Haha I’m over here nodding my head. Breaks are good and healthy, I just have to make sure I’m doing it. ❤️❤️
Can you make a video on how you do your newsletter? What is the format? Do you just use word? How is it different than your blog? 🤗🥰 I’ve signed up for so many newsletters from authors and I never get them and I’ve checked my spam! 😠
Your description of hyper focus reminds me of myself. I have adhd. Excessive hyper focus can be self-destructive. I hope you figure out how to manage it.
I’m not one to self-diagnose but I think I have ADHD. I need to setup an appointment with my doctor and see what she says. The more I talk about my personal issues, the more it points to that. Hyper focus isn’t healthy and I need to learn how to manage it.
Take some vitamin d & c it help cause right now most of us have a low count of both. I hope everything is good for you & your husband & parents in Texas & be safe.
Hey Courtney! I didn't understand the bit about translating to more languages. I understand taking it one language at the time, and with your long backlist this takes years - but the bit about agent "permission" confused me, or maybe I misunderstood it.
I'm working on a report for work and I hear black soul from working in corporate-i laughed so hard, I cried. I so relate. Ty for keeping us updated! I look forward to them. I'm glad you are well! Keep it up! Can't wait to hear you made it to 7-figures!
Hope you’re feeling better, that sickness sounds gnarly! Thanks so much for posting these videos btw :) I’m another corporate critter / data wonk, so seeing you break self-publishing down like this is a treat!
I’m feeling so much better now. It’s been a few weeks since I recorded this video and I barely have any lingering effects that I can tell. Aww, thank you, I’m happy to share my journey! Breaking free from corporate was life changing and I always tell people I’m no special snowflake. I just work really hard for the things I want. Might take a decade, but it can happen!
@@TheCourtneyProject Glad to hear it! I’m another one of those people who considers sick days an offence to my schedule, so I really empathized with you there. I find it helps to remember that in an emergency, you have to put your own oxygen mask on first! (And truly, congratulations on your success, and thank you again for sharing it with all of us!) Stay warm and keep well :)
I started watching your videos when I was starting my book because I wanted to be sure I did everything correctly especially with marketing. I published my book trailer here on YT but it's also on my Instagram and FB. I'm so excited and its my first ever book.
Dictation has been life changing. I wrote a full draft doing it in 7 days. I could walk around the room and do the actions which made it easier to describe and all that
@@TheCourtneyProject you have truly helped me a million times! I’ve watched all your videos and only found you a couple months ago! You are my goals! Lol
Hey, you’re back to it and have some plans for ... well, your plans. 😃 Having insight like you do for your healthiness and what you want that to look like is great!
So you typically have 72 hours to upload your final copy when you have pre-order setup. During the holidays, Amazon bumped it by 2 weeks instead of 3 days which meant we had to have our final uploaded earlier than we had planned so we had to shave 2 weeks off our deadline! 💀💀💀
I love these videos! I'm so happy they are back. Question - I know Kennedy Fox ended up getting an agent, but did you guys start with one? At what point did you get an agent? Did you reach out to her or did she reach out to you? Also, I hope things are doing well in Texas! Happy thoughts for your mom and dad.
We didn’t start with our agent, we reached out to her because we were getting bombarded with foreign translations and audio contracts and it was too overwhelming at the time. I think we were 5 books in? Had made USAT 4 times at that point, I believe. It’s been awhile but I know we signed with her in 2017 after we had made lists.
I never lost power! I was super lucky, but our water pressure was lost and we’re under a boil water provision until next week. Glad you got power back!
Ello lovely, just wanted to say that I tried the select to speech extension and they took my money with no pro features. Support is lacking. It’s in PayPal claim now. Anyhow I found Natural Reader which has many different voices, and the ability to make MP3 versions for $60 a year. Plus support is plentiful and honestly it just looks a whole lot less sketchy. Lol. Congrats on your continuing success.
I typically emailed them when I had issues, but I think I cancelled it not too long ago because I wasn’t using it quite as much as I was before. Sorry that it sucked for you!
Can't wait for the video on dictation! I got Dragon for Christmas, but I just haven't used it a lot yet. What mic are you using for dictation? I've been researching them.. I think I want to pace around my home office. ❤️
@@TheCourtneyProject thank you! I watched it twice! The first time I wasn’t able to give it my full attention because I was working on a work project. ❤️
![Being a Full-Time Author: Month 9 Update | Self-Publishing [CC]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/NoOjjUtHbBo/mqdefault.jpg)
![Being a Full-Time Author: Month 9 Update | Self-Publishing [CC]](/img/tr.png)
![Bookish DIY!! How I Paint my Book Edges [CC]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/CfnbjLwf0zU/mqdefault.jpg)
I can’t believe your year mark for quitting your job is in just a week! 2020 was the slowest and fastest year in the history of years for me. I’m so happy you were able to accomplish so much in December and January despite getting sick. I’m glad you’re finally feeling like yourself again too.
What you said about setting boundaries and resting and coming up with a schedule resonated because I’ve been feeling the same. I’m a full-time author and a caregiver. I don’t have any other job so why am I working 7 days a week and staying up all night only to get back up in 4 to 6 hours to do it all over again? I’ve decided I need two days off from writing, editing and anything else with being an author. It’s going to take time but I’m practicing and hopefully it’ll work and I can come up with a reasonable schedule for myself.
Yes. It’s so important to take breaks. I think we’re going to reevaluate our schedule for next year so we don’t do this to ourselves again.
@@TheCourtneyProject That’s good! It’s just so easy to work too much when you love what you’re doing. But I think breaks and actual days off will help a lot. I hope you can still find some me time this year despite your busy schedule.
Thank you for always doing these videos! Love them! You’re so inspiring!
Thank you for being here!
Hi Courtney, You all have been on my mind for the past few days with all the snow storm madness going on in Texas. I know this vid may have been pre-recorded but I hope y'all are doing okay. It continues to be so inspirational to hear what's new in your journey. Congrats on practically completing your first year woohoo!!!! Keep on slashing through goals and being a superstar!
Aww thanks so much Deidre! I recorded this on Feb 1 so the storm wasn’t even a thing at that point but I’m lucky and didn’t have to deal with anything other than a few minor inconveniences compared to others. I never lost power, just water pressure, and we’ll be under a boil water notice for the next week. Not complaining though because all of my neighbors pipes burst. My dads place is running generators and my mom lost power for 12 hours and water for a day but got it back pretty quickly. ❤️❤️❤️ 2021 better not be 2020’s younger sibling. 😆
@@TheCourtneyProject 🤣🤣🤣 Nope not accepting any other family members lol. Keep warm. Stay safe!
Great video! I love hearing about your experience😄
Thanks so much!
I know this was a year ago, but it broke my heart a little to hear you say to "push through sickness". It's completely okay to take off work and focus on healing! Oftentimes when we push ourselves, we start sicker longer, or the illness can even turn chronic in some cases (happened to me). This way of thinking is almost exclusive to the US; I've found many other countries with mandatory time off have much healthier attitudes towards work life balance, and it's the norm to take 6-8 weeks off a year, with plenty of sick time. Please take care of yourself, Courtney!
Thanks for the reminder! I really buckled down on taking better care of myself in 2022 after the whirlwind of 2020-2021. :)
I was exhausted by just listening to all the things you did over the past two months! I understand pushing yourself to the limit. I learned that those behaviors aren't healthy (my problem back then was saying no) and you do have to be kind to yourself. At the very least give yourself one day off a week. If you were working for someone else, you at least got two days off work. I know you're the co-captain of your ship and you don't want to fall behind. But to be the best you can be, you need a break here and there. Anyway, good luck on reaching your goals this year just don't forget about your personal well-being 🙂
I have a problem with saying no as well. One of my many weaknesses! Haha I’m over here nodding my head. Breaks are good and healthy, I just have to make sure I’m doing it. ❤️❤️
Just realized we have matching keyboards. #clicketyclack 💙💙💙💙
Yay!!! It’s super clickity! I love it!
Can you make a video on how you do your newsletter? What is the format? Do you just use word? How is it different than your blog? 🤗🥰 I’ve signed up for so many newsletters from authors and I never get them and I’ve checked my spam! 😠
Your description of hyper focus reminds me of myself. I have adhd. Excessive hyper focus can be self-destructive. I hope you figure out how to manage it.
I’m not one to self-diagnose but I think I have ADHD. I need to setup an appointment with my doctor and see what she says. The more I talk about my personal issues, the more it points to that. Hyper focus isn’t healthy and I need to learn how to manage it.
Take some vitamin d & c it help cause right now most of us have a low count of both. I hope everything is good for you & your husband & parents in Texas & be safe.
Thank you! ❤️
Super video! I applauded for $2.00 👏
Aww thank you very much!
@@TheCourtneyProject no problem. I appreciate the content. Keep it coming.
Hey Courtney! I didn't understand the bit about translating to more languages. I understand taking it one language at the time, and with your long backlist this takes years - but the bit about agent "permission" confused me, or maybe I misunderstood it.
We have a subrights agent who handles all of that and she’s current pitching our books. It’s a contractual thing.
I hope you're doing okay with the winter storm and such. And yes hustle is not all the tine especially when youre sick
I was lucky! I never lost power, just water pressure! ❤️❤️❤️
I'm working on a report for work and I hear black soul from working in corporate-i laughed so hard, I cried. I so relate. Ty for keeping us updated! I look forward to them. I'm glad you are well! Keep it up! Can't wait to hear you made it to 7-figures!
Hahahaha, glad I could make you laugh. 😆
Love this video! Hope you are safe and well during the winter storms in Texas!
Thanks so much! I’m safe and well, didn’t lose power, just water pressure! I was very lucky! ❤️❤️
@@TheCourtneyProject you're welcome! So happy to hear you are safe and well!
Hope you’re feeling better, that sickness sounds gnarly! Thanks so much for posting these videos btw :)
I’m another corporate critter / data wonk, so seeing you break self-publishing down like this is a treat!
I’m feeling so much better now. It’s been a few weeks since I recorded this video and I barely have any lingering effects that I can tell. Aww, thank you, I’m happy to share my journey! Breaking free from corporate was life changing and I always tell people I’m no special snowflake. I just work really hard for the things I want. Might take a decade, but it can happen!
@@TheCourtneyProject Glad to hear it! I’m another one of those people who considers sick days an offence to my schedule, so I really empathized with you there. I find it helps to remember that in an emergency, you have to put your own oxygen mask on first!
(And truly, congratulations on your success, and thank you again for sharing it with all of us!)
Stay warm and keep well :)
Do you have any suggestions of conferences for not-yet-published writers?
I think inkerscon would be a good one for beginners! Sign ups started for 2021 too.
There is a reason they tell you to put the oxygen mask on yourself first on planes...its a life lesson too!
YES! THIS!
Off topic but I absolutely LOVE your computer set up
Aww thanks! It’s just a cheap tv plugged into my MacBook Pro with an HDMI to USB C cable!
@@TheCourtneyProject i need to do that when I have an official set up!!! I write non stop haha.
I started watching your videos when I was starting my book because I wanted to be sure I did everything correctly especially with marketing.
I published my book trailer here on YT but it's also on my Instagram and FB. I'm so excited and its my first ever book.
@@amyroseauthorofficial oh yay!! Congratulations!
@@TheCourtneyProject thank you!!😍
Can't wait to hear about your dictation experiences!
Thanks so much!
Dictation has been life changing. I wrote a full draft doing it in 7 days. I could walk around the room and do the actions which made it easier to describe and all that
It is so life changing! I feel like it always helps making sentences more active too. It’s just a different world.
@@TheCourtneyProject you have truly helped me a million times! I’ve watched all your videos and only found you a couple months ago! You are my goals! Lol
Always click on these videos. I’m so happy for you and excited to see how your 2nd year fully self employed goes!!!!
Thank you so much!
Hey, you’re back to it and have some plans for ... well, your plans. 😃 Having insight like you do for your healthiness and what you want that to look like is great!
Thank you!
What do you mean about Amazon changing their dates? Next month will be a year since I started this writing youtube channel.
So you typically have 72 hours to upload your final copy when you have pre-order setup. During the holidays, Amazon bumped it by 2 weeks instead of 3 days which meant we had to have our final uploaded earlier than we had planned so we had to shave 2 weeks off our deadline! 💀💀💀
And yayyyy! That’s awesome you’ve been at it for a year!
Sorry, I didn't get the name of the dictation app. How's it called?
It’s called Otter!
Thanks
I love these videos! I'm so happy they are back.
Question - I know Kennedy Fox ended up getting an agent, but did you guys start with one? At what point did you get an agent? Did you reach out to her or did she reach out to you?
Also, I hope things are doing well in Texas! Happy thoughts for your mom and dad.
We didn’t start with our agent, we reached out to her because we were getting bombarded with foreign translations and audio contracts and it was too overwhelming at the time. I think we were 5 books in? Had made USAT 4 times at that point, I believe. It’s been awhile but I know we signed with her in 2017 after we had made lists.
I’m doing good down here and my parents are making it! Grateful how easy I had it because others weren’t as lucky.
@@TheCourtneyProject Thanks for explaining! :)
@@TheCourtneyProject I'm glad to hear it!
hopefully you had power and water. we just got ours back today.
I never lost power! I was super lucky, but our water pressure was lost and we’re under a boil water provision until next week. Glad you got power back!
Ello lovely, just wanted to say that I tried the select to speech extension and they took my money with no pro features. Support is lacking. It’s in PayPal claim now. Anyhow I found Natural Reader which has many different voices, and the ability to make MP3 versions for $60 a year. Plus support is plentiful and honestly it just looks a whole lot less sketchy. Lol. Congrats on your continuing success.
I typically emailed them when I had issues, but I think I cancelled it not too long ago because I wasn’t using it quite as much as I was before. Sorry that it sucked for you!
Can't wait for the video on dictation! I got Dragon for Christmas, but I just haven't used it a lot yet. What mic are you using for dictation? I've been researching them.. I think I want to pace around my home office. ❤️
It’s posted! I use an app called Otter on my phone. Dragon is no longer available for Mac users. 😭
@@TheCourtneyProject thank you! I watched it twice! The first time I wasn’t able to give it my full attention because I was working on a work project. ❤️
"Life Lesson: You just can't sometimes" 💯From the Queen of Tough, that is saying something! All in moderation....sort of 😝
For reallllll!!! ❤️❤️❤️
Professional dictator --LOL
Hahahaha, I’ll keep my political jokes to myself. 🤪