Hello Writers and Crafters! I'm Valerie Ihsan, And I'm Erick Mertz, and this is Episode 106 of the podcast and it's March 22, 2023  as we record this.  Main Topic: Setbacks   PATREON: No new patrons this week. Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in us and in the podcast.  This podcast is sponsored by our patrons at Patreon.com/valerieihsan. For as low as a $1/mo, you can get a postcard from me, a shout out on the podcast, and we can make announcements for you on air. At other tiers, the benefits increase--free books, accountability Zoom calls, scene analysis, mastermind calls, and even free Writer Craft retreat tickets. Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan.  Patreon.com/strangeairstories for paranormal mysteries short stories   Comments: email from listener:   Questions from listeners:   Announcements:  1)  UPDATE:  Valerie:  book launch party, speaking event, author expo, pitching conferences, doing some group coaching for The Author Life Community this weekend, some health issues slowed me down a bit. Erick: website error took me out of a week's worth of work; mountain of little client work to finish before getting back to my own work.   Just finished:   You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero I'M READING:  Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix; Bones Would Rain from the Sky: Deepening Our Relationships With Dogs by Suzanne Clothier; Wabi Sabi: Japanese Wisdom for a Perfectly Imperfect Life by Beth Kempton.    Up Next: Pilgrimage by J.F. Penn and  The Blackhorse by Carole Johnstone Erick's Reading:  Fairy Tale by Stephen King   Show Notes:  "Everybody has a plan until you get hit in the mouth." Mike Tyson  It will happen--losing control. You can't insulate yourself or your business from setbacks. It's okay to get angry or sad. Let it out. Sometimes immediate response doesn't work, isn't helpful. Acknowledge the life shift and make a new plan. Making a new plan is empowering and gives space for new growth. "You might need a rest stop." And not every one knows how to merge, so there will be detours along the way. Take away: 1. Feel your feelings. 2.  Empower yourself to find a new plan 3.  Be analytical and reflective about why it happened. Sometimes there is no answer. 4.  Leave space for recovery. 5.  Start the new plan. 6.  Find support to carry on with the new plan. Next episode: interview author Jennie Komp Resources:  Author XP (marketing for authors) (bi-monthly promotions) Raven Publicity (publicity for authors) The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror Contact Erick for business-starting advice. Contact Valerie for book coaching for help writing your book. Other Resources: Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter. Valerie's new day book for the year 2023 is: Meditations from the Mat: Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga by Rolf Gates. I've published our 2022 Book List on the website: valerieihsan.com/podcast-news   The Author Life Community Passion Planner: https://bit.ly/3AUiJUx (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE188 ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)   Find Us:   Valerie’s Services: https://valerieihsan.com Valerie’s Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com Valerie’s Facebook Page and Instagram account Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor   Erick’s Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com Erick’s free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n Erick’s Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com Erick’s Facebook Page and Instagram account  Writer Craft Facebook Group Patreon: https://patreon.com/valerieihsan