Quote of the Day: The great gift of humans is that we have the power of empathy. Meryl Streep

Today is another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. You can also visit the founder Alex J. Cavanaugh for more info and links.

July 1 question – Is there anything you’d like to see changed, added, and/or rearranged about the book publishing industry?

More publishing houses with a budget to promote their authors. As with any career in the arts, it’s hard to earn a living. Really talented people who work hard for years to hone their craft barely see any return on their investments in time and money. Programs and grants are out there to help, but most of the time, someone wants us to pay them money with the hopes of getting a foot in the door.

Although, I have spent my fair share of money to develop my crafts, I have also applied for, and been awarded grants. My cousin Angie Anderson and I are writing a musical. We’re applying for a spot in play/music development through a theater company in the Minneapolis, MN area called Trademark Theater. They produce their own shows and offer support to other artists, as well. They have a program called “In the Works,” which helps theater artists develop new work. Send us your good vibes! I’ll tell you more about our project later, as we continue to develop it. It is my greatest joy to have a collaborative partner. Whether nor not we get selected for the development program, we will continue to write our musical and share it with audiences when it’s ready. (That’s not to say I don’t have some nervousness and insecurities about it, but you have to push those aside and try anyway.)

Happy Independence Day to all of you in the United States of America! I hope you get a chance to spend time with family and friends and eat some yummy food.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt: What is one brave thing you’ve done to promote your creative career?