August update - important

Who can believe it's August? Not this girl.

I was chatting to an author friend yesterday and we realized it had been exactly a month since RARE London. In fact, as I write this post, it's been a month since the signing day in London.

In the last few weeks I've been feeling a little like a failure. I've struggled with deadlines and doing everything that needs to be done but sometimes you have to stop and look back at what you've achieved.

When I travelled to London I'd just finished The Fiancé. As soon as I was back I got to work on a novella which I also finished at just over 20k words.

In between all this writing I managed another Island chapter, a couple of foreign translations releases, family visits and life stuff.

So what am I up to now?

The Fiancé came back from edits so I've been working on it and it's almost done. I may need to add a few more scenes to the book. With the book so close to completion I'm starting to think about release dates.

Nothing ever stops here so aside from working on chapters of The Island I've also plotted the second book in the Spencer Brothers series and that's Noah's book.

Did you read the chapters I posted? You might find a not-so-subtle cue about what's about to go down with Noah in his book.

The book is half plotted and I've written a few words but no complete chapters yet.

Tomorrow I'm picking up my niece from my parents and she's staying with us for two weeks. I'm really looking forward to having her because she's a super squishy marshmallow who loves cuddles as much as I do, but I know it's also going to put my schedule out of wack completely.

Keep all your fingers crossed for me to get my act together and manage to do some work.

In just 41 days I'll be traveling to the US. I'm so excited but also 41days??!!! Is that it?? I'm not ready yet. I have so much to do before I leave!

Belinda was the winner of the July giveaway. Her swag pack has already been sent. Congrats, Belinda! The August giveaway is ready for your entry. This month I'm giving the winner a Small towns were made for *gay* romance cushion. I love this design and I hope
  you do too.

I've gone back and forth on this too many times to count. Every time I get close to it, I talk myself out. This time I'm going to let my instinct take over.

In the last couple of years my work load has increased so much that I'm practically working without a day off unless it's enforced. Any time I'm not doing anything with someone else, I'm working.

But I've never published so little before. Last year I published four books, I believe, and this year I've published one.

I have my hand on too many things that take up a lot of energy. Some times what we get back from all that work is priceless, which is what makes these decisions so hard.

Engaging with readers is one of my favorite things to do. Every time I send out a newsletter and a reader emails back it makes my day.

But, I'm at a stage where I'm juggling so many things at the same time that something has to give. I've decided that for now that's Ana's Attic.

You joined to support me so why am I closing it down?

I love you so, so much for being here. I love that you want to support me.

The reality is that there are only a handful of you here. It costs more to run the attic than what I make from your membership payments. I bet that knowledge upsets you, right? Because you want your money to come to me. You want me to use it to produce audiobooks, to commission art, to create special editions, to do anything else other than to pay to run the website. Right?

When there are enough members, the costs of running a commercial website are easily offset, but I've been trying really hard to grow the membership and it's just not happening. I've offered discounts, there's a seven-day free trial, there's only one tier so no one misses out.

But it's still not happening.

This isn't the time for me and I'm okay with that.

You can continue to support me by buying/reading my books, or chat to me on social media.

I'm always up for a huggle so if you can attend any of the signings I'm in, I'd love to see you.

Now the practical stuff...

Please cancel your membership before the next payment comes out. I don't know what happens if I cancel it on my side and I'd hate for you to lose access you've already paid.

Please enter the giveaway for August as that's the last one.

Those who haven't cancelled their subscription by the end of August I will then cancel it on my side before the start of September.

I will continue to post as usual until the end of August.