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How do I know if my book is good enough?

I have been thinking about self-publishing since I started writing this newsletter two years ago. I have been thinking back and forth if I should publish my poetry since they are mediocre. Then I thought about writing and self-publishing fiction when I have not even finish writing the story.

Publishing—either way—is not here to validate you. It’s not here to fill a hole somewhere. You’re not going to be much different the day after your book is available than you were the day before, except someone out there can exchange money for your book.

Can you derive pride and a sense of accomplishment from publishing, via either route? Yes. Can you be thrilled your book did a thing/reached a milestone/made X sales? Yes. Can you be sad that it didn’t do whatever thing you were hoping for? Of course. But try not to give it much more power than that. You can’t control it. It’s about as fickle as the weather. It’s like saying I’m only good at my job if it’s sunny outside. I hope you don’t live in Portland, OR or London or some other notoriously rainy place.

Dealing with burnout and 10 things I enjoyed

• Don’t say yes to everything.

• Sometimes as an artist, you should do nothing at all. Rest the mind.

Folio and book recs

I came across Folio, a book rec platform and online bookstore. The site has reviews from readers, just like Goodreads and The Storygraph. You would like the overall feel of the site if you are Gen Z.

I was recommended with some books with a quiz. Find your next read with the quiz.

• Conversations on Love — Natasha Lunn

• Time is a Mother — Ocean Vuong

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Take care,
Celeste