One Seriously Wild Year In The Books
One newsletter can barely contain it all
It’s hard to know where to begin recapping the wild year 2022 has been both in books and outside of them. Working with Yeehoo Press to develop my debut picture book has been a dream come true. Read on for more about that.
I also finished a middle-grade novel and wrote a few more picture books. Finger-crossed I’ll have news to share about those soon. While I learned a lot about book marketing last year for Heroic Care, this year I joined an amazing group of debut picture book writers, The PB Sunrays, who’ve helped me raise my book marketing game.
While all that’s been going on, life has been pretty - er, lifey. After much consideration I decided to divorce. I started a new role as the in-house interior designer at Endicott where I’d been teaching for years and moved back to my beloved Beverly with my son. I appreciate all the love and support from friends and family along the way and can’t wait to dive into 2023. New year, new house, new job and a new outlook on a life filled with inspiration.
Read on for a recap of what’s been going on in my writing studio.
The biggest news is my debut picture book coming out on April 14, 2023. All this year I’ve been working with the publisher to get the book ready. Just a few more months until launch! Originally scheduled for February the launch date was pushed back to April because the publisher signed with a new distributor that will give it a wider distribution. That’s a pretty good reason to be delayed. The book already has some great reviews and I’ve posted some fun videos on the making of the book and of the inspiration behind the book. Check it out here.
The best way to help an author is to PRE-ORDER their books so please pre-order today. I’m also set up to start booking author visits so if you know anywhere I should reach out to please connect me with them. I can live or virtual visits.
If you’re inspired to go a step further I’m looking for people to join my street-team. That’s a group of who will help promote my social media posts, review the book and just amplify the book in general. Interested? Email me or contact me here.
The PB Sunrays is an amazing group of picture book authors all with books coming out in 2022/23. I was lucky enough to be included with them. Not only have I loved supporting their amazing books, they’ve been a tremendous resource as I learn to navigate the new world of picture book marketing. I’m hardly an expert but having a team behind me has meant the world to me. Check out a post I wrote for our blog “Interview Your Way To A Better Story.” While you’re there check out posts by other amazing PB Sunrays and learn about their books.
I still think Five Minutes is the best thing I read most weeks and I was lucky enough to have to pieces published on the site this year. I also had the pleasure of participating in the Five Minutes Live event that was part of Salem Lit Fest. Check out my work here and then go ahead and read all the other amazing micromemoirs on the site.
I get asked a lot about tackling the massive work of editing a novel. I mean - it’s A LOT. Once you’ve thrown everything into the first draft, how do you take that mess and turn it into an amazing novel? Editing the Kitchen Sink is an article takes you through the steps of the early editing process.
Over on Instagram I’m still posting books I love both for kids and adult. Give me a follow to check them out. I’ve been giving Twitter a break but I’m checking out Mastadon and Post.news. If you’re on those platforms look me up @betsyellor
All in all, 2022 has been a year to remember. I’m looking forward to writing many more books from my new little writing nook. If you’re getting this email forwarded to you, click the subscribe button to join me on the journey.