I put out another book into the world yesterday (link below) and I’m already feeling the post-release blues/anxiety. It’s a weird feeling, the high that you get from spending months (and sometimes years) creating something, then putting it out into the world. What’s followed—at least in my experience—is a crash. A low. My art is now out there, it’s not mine anymore and that is both equally thrilling and terrifying.
So, I’ll probably stay off the internet most of the weekend, to conserve my mental sanity as people are talking about my book. I LOVE hearing readers reactions and seeing all the reviews (the good ones) but it’s still a lot. And I feel like I’ve been running non-stop for the past several weeks leading up to this launch, so I’m going to take a mini step back from all things internet. I’ll be back on Monday though, because the work never seems to stop.
I also hope this doesn’t make me sound ungrateful, because I am so so grateful. To my readers, and to anyone who’s given any of my books a chance. I love being an author and sharing new stories. I also will be the first to admit that prepping for Begin Again’s release, I put aside my mental health and didn’t guard it like I should have. But I promised myself that as soon as it was live, that this would take a higher priority. And I plan to keep that promise, while also finding and connecting with readers.
Anyway, now I’m absolutely rambling.
beautiful & ordinary things this week 💕
My third romance novel was published yesterday. This one is all about healing and finding yourself after abuse. It tackles hard topics but in a tender way. I hope you read it, it’s a quick weekend read!
I’m still on the fence about how to use Instagram. Lately, it seems to be the only way to spread the word about my books. But this Substack gave me pause and a lot of things to think about.
The Tortured Poets Department is here (more on that in a second) but the
put together a special issue with poems based on the track titles. You can read all of them here (it’s one of my favorite issues!)
Currently 💕
📖 Reading - I just finished The Seven Year Slip (a new favorite!) and I’ve started reading A Fellowship of Bakers and Magic, which sounds like a fun and cozy fantasy.
📺 Watching - I’m on season five of my White Collar re-watch and it’s safe to say that I’ve officially made it to the point where I don’t remember a thing, and it’s all a surprise. Which is making it a lot of fun!
🎧 Listening - The Tortured Poets Department—all day, every day since it came out. Though I did have to listen to Karma and Bejeweled yesterday, because I was feeling a little down from all the heavier themes on TTPD.
🎶 On my playlist - My favorites from TTPD (today) are Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me, Clara Bow, and The Bolter. But ask me tomorrow, because my answer will probably change.
Happy reading,
Taylor