It's still always such a buzz when I sell a book and while I get excited about stats to do with the online retailers that my books are available on, when I get a direct sale, it just somehow means more. And today I got two sales!!!!

Somehow these readers stumbled across my writing, went to my shop, and chose to buy a book from me. It feels more personal and visceral. So getting an email while I was at work was just so deliciously thrilling, I wanted to celebrate it.

I'd encourage all writers, no matter what stage you're at, to establish an online shop. I use PayHip which has no monthly fees as a small percentage is deducted per sale. I've connected it to BookFunnel to sell my ebooks and audiobooks. I sell paperbacks where I package and post, however this is only within Australia due to fees. 

There are options to integrate with Bookvault to do print on demand physical books internationally, but I haven't done that. And can also integrate with Printful for merch, which I might do.

I connected my store to my own domain so it's my own branding

​https://pishukinpress.com/

🎙️ "."
Writing about trauma means navigating pain, truth, and compassion. In this episode, I talk about writing my memoir while protecting my mother’s dignity—acknowledging the harm without being cruel. Because you don’t owe your trauma to the page. You choose what to share.
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🖋️ If you're writing from wounds, this one's for you.

Listen to the full podcast episode about Writing from Wounds
https://www.amrapajalic.com/podcast.html

Got a lovely email from my podcast host Buzzsprout that my podcast has had 50 downloads! This is data only from my audio podcast provider, and there are also about 87 downloads on YouTube so nearly 100 downloads all up.

Very exciting considering this whole podcast idea came as more of an impulse and was more about building up new skills so that I can apply for funding for my history podcast. In the process have discovered that I really love podcasting and the opportunity to share information.

My goal is to record 10 solo episodes to build up my confidence and tech know-how and then I want to expand it into an interview format. The theme will be evolutions and transformations, and it will be all about sharing stories of becoming.

Have started the process of setting up my studio with two armchairs and want to invest in more hardware-a camera and microphones. 

Here are my episodes so far, and 3 more to record to achieve my goal. It's all about consistency and just plodding along. And before you know it, you create something pretty spectacular!!!

8-Own the Stage, 26/05/25
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7-Wounds to Words, 12/05/25

6-Evolution of an author, 28/04/25

5-How Short Stories Build Publication History 14/04/25

4-Balancing the pen and the paycheck 31/03/25

3-The Art of the Pitch, 17/03/25

​2-My Journey to Self Publishing, 03/03/25

1-Benefits of Residency, 17/10/25

🎧 Catch all the episodes on Amra’s Armchair Anecdotes 

​www.amrapajalic.com/podcast.html

My weekly writing update where I talk about my upcoming writing workshop
Short Story with Amra Pajalic, Wyndham City Council online, Thu, 22 May 2025, 6:30pm - 8:30pm

​https://www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/whats-on/short-story-amra-pajalic

​🚨 Calling all indie authors, aspiring self-publishers, and creative hustlers! 🚨

Want to turn your passion for writing into a thriving author business? 📚💼 Join me, Amra Pajalić—award-winning author, educator, and indie publishing queen—for my upcoming course "Self-Publishing as a Small Business" with @WritersVic.

Learn the ins and outs of: 
✔️ Setting up your self-publishing imprint
✔️ Budgeting, pricing, and getting paid
✔️ Marketing that actually works
✔️ Treating your author career like a real business (because it is one!)

This course will also cover financial aspects, including pricing, royalties, and revenue streams like audiobooks.  

📅 Session 1, Tuesday 17 June 6PM-8.30PM (online): Understanding publishing options and exploiting your intellectual property 
📅 Session 2, Tuesday 24 June 6PM-8.30PM (online): : Preparing for publication and the process of publishing 
📅 Session 3, Tuesday 1 July 6PM-8.30PM (online): : Marketing and promotion and sustainable business practices 

Sessions will be recorded and available to watch later.
You Will Learn:
• How to self-publish books. 
• How to prepare your manuscript, including editing, formatting and cover design. 
• The way in which you can distribute you book in different formats. 
• How to set pricing and how royalties for self-published books work. 

💥 You’ll walk away with the tools and mindset to run your publishing journey like a pro.

🎟️ Spots are limited so book now via link below or in bio:

🔗 https://writersvictoria.org.au/calendars/events/event/?id=1328

I am celebrating my first international conference presentation.
First, some background. I have been doing a PhD in Creative Writing for seven years now. This is my last year. I have written a novel (which actually ended up being three novels) set in Srebrenica and my thesis is about non-Bosnian writers writing about Srebrenica.

In the process of writing my books I undertook a lot of research that I will be publishing as essays for those interested in the real story behind the fiction.
I have been struggling with my thesis, struggling to find motivation, and to see it through. So I have regular newsletters about conferences to present at and saw an invitation to submit abstracts to "Somewhere in Between: Borders and Borderlands" International Conference at Birkbeck, University of London / Online.
This fit in well with my research and so I proposed a paper "From Safe Zone to Mass Grave: How Srebrenica’s Borders Were Rewritten."

Yesterday I attended the conference online and watched speakers present their research which helped to prepare me for the process, and also watched some YouTube tutorials to prepare.

Today, I regretted very much submitting my proposal and actually doing it. And then came the moment of truth, and I did it, I presented. I had such a great experience hearing from other presenters that were in my session, and then taking part in the discussion afterwards.

I feel more confident in my academic journey and identity, and more importantly, I have the impetus and drive to do one more deep dive into my thesis and get it off my back.
​
There truly is something amazing that happens when you push yourself out of your comfort zone, survive, and thrive, and then feel confidence and a sense of accomplishment. Sigh. So happy!!!