How do self-published authors like us build a solid and loyal readership when we have one or more chronic illnesses? How can we be consistent and appease the All-Mighty Algorithm if our flare-ups are unpredictable?
If you’re like me, these questions haunt your writer-ly nightmares. They cause countless hours of handwringing, sudden nausea, and that wicked little self-doubt devil on your shoulder. We’ve all heard it before: the key to succeeding as an author, especially when you’re self-published, is to build and maintain loyal readers.
That’s easier said than done under the best conditions. Here are five actions that have helped me. You might find them useful as well.
1. Be consistent with medication: Chronic illness makes any sort of consistency, but the one area we can’t fail in is our medication.
I do this by setting a series of reminders. I have an alarm on my phone, reminders on Alexa, and someone to ask me daily, “Take your meds today?”
2. Take advantage of the “good” days: What constitutes as a “good day” when dealing with chronic illness can vary. For me, a good day is when I have energy and can think clearly enough to string words together.
During this time, I try to do a lot of pre-work. This can be hard if you have executive dysfunction (here’s looking at you, my ADHD’ers), so I try to have a list of things—prioritized,
- Take a day or two to batch (or bulk) prep my social media content. Film or edit graphics to have at the ready.
- Speaking of batch prep, I now keep a folder called Evergreen Content. Like the evergreen tree, the content is always fresh and relevant. If I’m not feeling well, I can pick something from the folder to post.
- I use a calendar just for my marketing. It lets me know what I have due in the coming month and I can plan accordingly.
3. Be transparent: I’ve found that a way to build a connection between my readers and me is to be open and honest about my limitations. I don’t have to detail every little thing I struggle with.
I do share my chronic health journey, including flare-ups that interfere with scheduled plans. Whether I need to move a planned live chat or delay the release of a book. Readers will connect, understanding shared struggles.
4. Keep a journal: Journaling looks different for many people. For me, it comes as physical planners. I can write what I’m doing, what changed, and why. Next, I review it, searching for patterns. Flare-ups don’t stop me from doing some things at night. Conversely, my most productive time is early morning when I’m feeling better.
5. Practice self-compassion: This is an everyday struggle for me. I actively choose to give myself the compassion and generosity I so easily give others. That self-compassion means I don’t beat myself up as much. I don’t dwell on what I didn’t get to finish and pile on embarrassment and shame that may keep me from publishing content.
It’s amazing how often I will convince myself that having been away from social media longer than I promised makes it too awkward to return. I’m afraid no one will be interested in what I have to say anymore, or they will be upset, and thus I avoid and hide.
This isn’t good for me, my career, or the relationship I’m working on strengthening with my readers.
