A year ago, I had a brilliant idea: write a book called 15 Steps to Starting Your Business. Simple enough, right? Well, flash forward to today, and I'm sitting on 4-5 partially edited manuscripts like a literary squirrel hoarding nuts for winter. On October 27, 2024, I published that first book, later adding an audiobook and two toddler coloring books. Apparently, I'm more prolific than I thought. So why am I dragging my feet on the rest?
Briefly, AI completely commandeered my attention. The long answer involves $13,000, a lot of trial and error, and enough Facebook group drama to fuel a reality TV series.
My unwitting enrollment in a $13,000 education.
Let me paint you a picture. Last June, I dove headfirst into the publishing world with a low-content book called True Confessions of a Hooker, a guide for newbie crocheters, not what you're thinking. (Though the double-take factor certainly didn't hurt with visibility!) I cranked out that little gem in six days and suddenly found myself with the intoxicating title of "published author."
What nobody warns you about is that writing the book is the simple part. It's like learning to drive. Sure, you can operate the vehicle, but nobody prepared you for parallel parking in downtown traffic during rush hour while it's raining.
The Facebook Group Chronicles
Armed with advice from my $13,000 training course, I ventured into Facebook groups like a digital door-to-door salesperson. The strategy? Engage authentically, build relationships, then casually mention your book to potential "VIP Early Readers." Spoiler alert: This approach worked about as well as using a fork to eat soup. Lots of motion, minimal results.
When my book finally went live, I pivoted to pubby.co reviews to rack up the 15 Amazon reviews needed before launching ads. Because apparently, Amazon has more entry requirements than an exclusive country club! Plus, the 125 VIP Early Readers I collected didn’t leave a review.
Amazon Ads: The Final Boss Battle
Speaking of Amazon, dear sweet Amazon Ads, the ultimate boss in the publishing game that nobody can seem to defeat. I've attended more trainings on Amazon Ads than I care to count, and I still feel like I'm trying to solve a Rubik's cube blindfolded while riding a unicycle.
The AI Plot Twist That Changed Everything
Just when I thought I had this publishing thing figured out, AI waltzed into my life like a shiny new toy that makes everything else look boring. Suddenly, I found myself more fascinated by artificial intelligence than my own manuscripts. It's like I went from being a focused author to a kid in a candy store, except the candy is machine learning and I can't stop sampling.
Now I'm spending more time exploring AI possibilities than actually publishing the books I've already written. Talk about getting distracted by the next shiny object!
Where Do We Go From Here?
So here I sit, manuscript-rich but AI-obsessed, wondering if I should get back to my publishing roots or fully embrace this new fascination. It's the classic entrepreneur's dilemma: stick with what you started or chase the exciting new opportunity that's captured your imagination. One thing's certain, whether I'm hooking yarn, publishing books, or diving deep into AI rabbit holes, this journey has been anything but boring.
What's your take? Have you ever gotten completely sidetracked by something shiny and new? Drop a comment and let me know how you handle the entrepreneurial equivalent of ADHD!