Expressing your feelings out loud is one of the healthiest things you can do. I say this as a nurse and a writer. Feel free to engage in this kind of sharing with us anytime. 🙏
This right here.... wow. Visceral. Gutsy. Human. TY for creating this window into your psyche. I’m sure I speak for many and feel like I understand publishing on a much deeper, more humane level now. You’re okay, better than okay.... you’re doing a GREAT job :)
Thank you for sharing. You have written such a true statement that affects all of our mental health: "We have been living in an endless, urgent news cycle since the pandemic." I feel we're all in a trauma state, and we can't regulate because society can't.
Thanks for sharing this. I would imagine the vast majority or your readers can relate. It takes a lot of courage to be vulnerable and share your struggles, but you are helping so many people with your words. I hope things get better for you soon. ❤️
Kathleen, thank you for writing about this tough subject. Mr. Rogers used to quote his mom who said, "In times of trouble, look for the helpers." It sounds like you have wonderful helpers in this difficult time. Publicity is a thankless job. Most people are busy with their own families, jobs, and lives. There's less time than ever to pay attention to an author and a book. Best to you. Be well and take care. ✨ ~TK
I am shaking and close to tears. I feel this so, so, much. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your honesty and vulnerability.
I read a book with a book publicist as the main character that included the line:
"I work for a middling publisher of middling authors who are absolutely sure the one thing coming between them and literary stardom is my incompetence."
Add to that the managers and sales people who share the sentiment and you get how hard it can be to spend your days doing this job.
I've joked that they don't call it a publicity "hit" for nothing. It's the high that keeps us going and jonesing for the next one.
I'm wishing you good health and a balanced life, and the appreciation you have earned and deserve.
PS: I always thought Al Franken got a raw deal when he was forced out of the Senate. And while I don't think that the poor choices that he made, taking that photo or the comment he made to you are cancel-level offenses, they clearly indicate a man who has some work to do to unpack his misogyny. I hope he did.
That’s a gutsy and I hope therapeutic post. Doing more is not always better for you and in my family we’ve started quiet time. It helps and I hope you get it too. We also got the calm app and even though we use it erratically it’s really helpful at times. Good luck!
The post I needed today, thank you. What came shining through for me was how you handled the meltdown, and processed those tough feelings. Not to be all kittens and unicorns about it, but that's what healthy people do. I think it's also how we get to change--and healing. I'm so very grateful that you shared and that you shared a light on a dark place many of us have been to.
Thank you for sharing Kathleen. I've been reading your newsletter for a while and always appreciate your honesty. I'm struggling with feeling unmotivated after being rejected or ghosted by agents and I hadn't really thought about the challenges of being a publicist in the book industry, especially when you're competing with the insane current events these days. The title of your newsletter resonates. Sending you hugs and I hope that you're in a better space now.
Been there, done that, have the tear-stained tee-shirt to prove it. It hurts to talk about but it feels better to HAVE talked about it, and yes, it helps other people in ways you'll never know (but you have to believe in).
There's nothing to say in response to something as honest and tough as this post that isn't (a) a cliche and (b) something you already know or have heard, so... fill in the blank. But I appreciate it. WE appreciate it.
Hi Kathleen. I really appreciate you writing this post. I'm glad to know that you are okay. We don't know each other personally, but I've followed you on here for a long time and the honesty and vulnerability of this post really hit me. I think, also, this is a really good reminder for authors (me) to remember that there's a TEAM of people trying to get a book out. I / we tend to focus on "my book," "my career," and forget that the people who are working their butts off around us are just as impacted by the ups and downs of this industry as we are. I'm in the thick of a book campaign right now and am definitely thinking I should get myself back into therapy to help ready me for the hits that I know are coming. These dark emotional moments can make you feel so isolated. Your post is a good reminder that there are other people out there feeling these things, too. I hope you're in a better headspace now. Thanks again. ~ Jennifer
Expressing your feelings out loud is one of the healthiest things you can do. I say this as a nurse and a writer. Feel free to engage in this kind of sharing with us anytime. 🙏
This right here.... wow. Visceral. Gutsy. Human. TY for creating this window into your psyche. I’m sure I speak for many and feel like I understand publishing on a much deeper, more humane level now. You’re okay, better than okay.... you’re doing a GREAT job :)
This is very honest. I'm glad you are okay.
www.writeradvice.com
I appreciate your vulnerablity in sharing this with us. Thank you for trusting.
I’m glad you’re ok and got help and support from your family and therapist and appreciate you writing this.
Thanks for sharing, Kathleen. 🐾❤️🩹
Thank you for sharing. You have written such a true statement that affects all of our mental health: "We have been living in an endless, urgent news cycle since the pandemic." I feel we're all in a trauma state, and we can't regulate because society can't.
Thanks for sharing this. I would imagine the vast majority or your readers can relate. It takes a lot of courage to be vulnerable and share your struggles, but you are helping so many people with your words. I hope things get better for you soon. ❤️
Kathleen, thank you for writing about this tough subject. Mr. Rogers used to quote his mom who said, "In times of trouble, look for the helpers." It sounds like you have wonderful helpers in this difficult time. Publicity is a thankless job. Most people are busy with their own families, jobs, and lives. There's less time than ever to pay attention to an author and a book. Best to you. Be well and take care. ✨ ~TK
I am shaking and close to tears. I feel this so, so, much. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your honesty and vulnerability.
I read a book with a book publicist as the main character that included the line:
"I work for a middling publisher of middling authors who are absolutely sure the one thing coming between them and literary stardom is my incompetence."
Add to that the managers and sales people who share the sentiment and you get how hard it can be to spend your days doing this job.
I've joked that they don't call it a publicity "hit" for nothing. It's the high that keeps us going and jonesing for the next one.
I'm wishing you good health and a balanced life, and the appreciation you have earned and deserve.
PS: I always thought Al Franken got a raw deal when he was forced out of the Senate. And while I don't think that the poor choices that he made, taking that photo or the comment he made to you are cancel-level offenses, they clearly indicate a man who has some work to do to unpack his misogyny. I hope he did.
Stay "bossy."
That’s a gutsy and I hope therapeutic post. Doing more is not always better for you and in my family we’ve started quiet time. It helps and I hope you get it too. We also got the calm app and even though we use it erratically it’s really helpful at times. Good luck!
The post I needed today, thank you. What came shining through for me was how you handled the meltdown, and processed those tough feelings. Not to be all kittens and unicorns about it, but that's what healthy people do. I think it's also how we get to change--and healing. I'm so very grateful that you shared and that you shared a light on a dark place many of us have been to.
Thank you for sharing Kathleen. I've been reading your newsletter for a while and always appreciate your honesty. I'm struggling with feeling unmotivated after being rejected or ghosted by agents and I hadn't really thought about the challenges of being a publicist in the book industry, especially when you're competing with the insane current events these days. The title of your newsletter resonates. Sending you hugs and I hope that you're in a better space now.
I wish there was such a thing as "easy." We don't know one another, but I'm sending all best wishes.
Thank you 💗
Been there, done that, have the tear-stained tee-shirt to prove it. It hurts to talk about but it feels better to HAVE talked about it, and yes, it helps other people in ways you'll never know (but you have to believe in).
There's nothing to say in response to something as honest and tough as this post that isn't (a) a cliche and (b) something you already know or have heard, so... fill in the blank. But I appreciate it. WE appreciate it.
Onward.
Hi Kathleen. I really appreciate you writing this post. I'm glad to know that you are okay. We don't know each other personally, but I've followed you on here for a long time and the honesty and vulnerability of this post really hit me. I think, also, this is a really good reminder for authors (me) to remember that there's a TEAM of people trying to get a book out. I / we tend to focus on "my book," "my career," and forget that the people who are working their butts off around us are just as impacted by the ups and downs of this industry as we are. I'm in the thick of a book campaign right now and am definitely thinking I should get myself back into therapy to help ready me for the hits that I know are coming. These dark emotional moments can make you feel so isolated. Your post is a good reminder that there are other people out there feeling these things, too. I hope you're in a better headspace now. Thanks again. ~ Jennifer