a week in the life of a full time author and small press owner

As you might know I'm a teacher and am on long service leave for 10 weeks and getting to experience life as a full time writer for a few months. This week has been quite an exciting one and I want to share what I’m doing so that firstly, people have some insight into what it is to be a full time author and small press owner, and secondly, to have a record for posterity about this small window of time when all I have to do is focus on writing-related life.

Emailed libraries in Australia to let them know my book Sabiha’s Dilemma was available in all formats. Shared my beautiful new catalogue for Pishukin Press. 

Processed library orders with distributor James Bennett.

Designed and submitted my advertisement for the Small Press Network catalogue.

Wrote, submitted and had published an article on ArtsHub within 24 hours responding to Roald Dahl book updates.

I developed the questions and invited participants for my next ArtsHub article about female entrepreneurs. I know two of them, and the third is someone I am cold-calling, which is nerve wracking.

I signed a contract for the anthology that I will have a memoir piece published in. Details to follow when this is publicly announced. 

I finished uploading my eligible books for Publisher Lending Rights, books available in libraries. The due date is 31 March so get onto that.

I confirmed my participation in a penpal project devised by Kate Foster and Dee White connecting authors/illustrators to primary schools.

I booked an advertisement in the IBPA library blast to young adult author public librarians in the US.

I listened to male narrator auditions for my first dual narration audiobook, The Climb, and am hoping to find a narrator who will be Jesse’s voice in the third book of my Sassy Saints Series titled Jesse’s Triumph. So excited.

Got an update from my narrator, the fabulous Nina Nikolic, that she has finished chapter 9 of Alma’s Loyalty audiobook so can’t wait to hear that.

​Finished my last memoir writing workshop at Caroline Springs with some beautiful participants. Photos below.

Prepared a publisher contract for an author I am going to be publish. Some of you will know who this mystery writer is, but I’ll announce publicly in a little while.

Updated my published articles on Copyright Australia.

Drafted a proposal for an online course with some authors I'm excited to work with. So keep your fingers crossed.

Amra Pajalic at Caroline Springs delivering memoir workshop