Dearest Readers of this Blog: I have been cheating on you. I’m not going to lie. I’ve been seduced by TikTok, BookTok specifically. A year ago, people in publishing were saying that it’s the only social media to move the needle (the sales needle). So while most people turned their noses up at it, and Colleen Hoover, I decided to check it out. I’m astonished at what I’ve found, dancing cowboys and kitten videos aside, there is a vibrant community of book lovers who read in every genre, including classics. It’s a way to discover what is popular and why. A lot of people are reading out there, and sharing their thoughts, and creating communities. I’m definitely a newbie, but when I make a video that people respond to, I have to admit it’s thrilling. If you’re interesed, check me out @betsylerner
In other news, my debut (!) novel has gone into production and will come out next year in November. My editor has kicked my ass seven ways from Sunday and I’m beyond humbled and grateful. Not only have I improved by book as a result of her painstaking work, I feel as I’ve become a better editor myself.
To anyone who is still hanging around the Lerner Home for Wayward Children, I hope you’re okay. I hope you’re bringing a writing project to fruition or starting a new one, or just writing in your diary, or a long letter to a friend. If you’re out there, catch us up. xo, Betsy
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Betsy Lerner 
Still here ! Congrats on the novel ! Started a blog this year for my poetry which is my first decent run of writing since the pandemic and that makes me happy. I know I’d get addicted to BookTok so I don’t let myself join TikTok but I trust the big stuff filters through (case in point – I just read Fourth Wing and Iron Flame 🐉).
Please post your blog URL for anyone who wants to check it out. That’s fantastic.
Hi! Thanks for coming back. All is forgiven. We are your faithful followers and if we have to switch platforms to get our dose of Betsy, we shall. No reader left behind!
Thanks for still being here!! My blog is my first love and always will be. Just getting a little distracted with the bells and whistles. BTW, people ask me how I create videos. It all started here, learning how to say stuff and use pictures and little headlines and connect with other writers.
You’re back!! We need your encouragement, so hoping that you’re back for a while. Your email encouraged me to keep at it, and yes…some of us still need encouragement. Hugely. Thank you, Betsy! Jude in Colorado
Thank you! I’m never too far. Honestly, I’ve been meaning to post but this tech challenged senior blogger couldn’t find or change my password to get back in for two week. Agh!!
There you are. Congratulations on the novel! 🎉
Still here. I’m on TikTok too, but I find myself already consumed by doing other social media – I “think” there’s a way to have a post go on TikTok, and Instagram w/out having to do them separate? Or vice versa? IDK. I’ve been too busy to do much about it.
In the throes of the current WIP at 90K. I was hoping to have it done by end of this month, but not sure that’s even possible at this point with all of the interruptions related to family illness, (flu! Not me, but my daughter’s entire household) trying to wrap gifts, ship gifts, bake, and it seems like everything under the sun disrupting the time to work. I found you out there and followed – AND made note of your post about getting up early and working before even cracking open social media. I do this too! Just not often enough.
Hi everyone else! 👋🏻
I’m following you!! Great to see you and you can have an extension to 2/15/24. xo
Ha – thank you! You can got to it when you need to sleep as NOTHING is happening.
😏
Hey Donna, congrats with your families new miracle baby. Such a sweetie. Hey all…hi!
Hallelujah! I knew you were still out there! Is there a bigger word for congratulations? I’m so happy for you and can’t wait until November 2024! I haven’t been I on any social media in ages, and now I’m gonna have to take the leap into Tic Tok, which I swore I never would but I should have learned long ago never to use that never word. I have been writing ideas and scenes and timelines and character descriptions (new and old) but they are all over the place – figuratively and literally! A notebook here, a sticky note, scrap of paper, back of receipt there. I don’t know how I’ll ever find it all. I’m writing, but with no sense or sensibility. But you, Betsy, why you have gotten your shit together! And it is exciting, inspiring and making want to write! XO
Life goal is to get one’s shit together. But it has to be all over the place first – sounds like you’re in the right place.
Hi Betsy,
Bravo! So glad to hear your good news. (Green with envy.) Also greenlighted by an unnamed so-called hybrid press who wants $10,000 to read the whole book + I pay for marketing and printing books. They call it hybrid, I call it a heist. If you are interested, I can send you the name privately via your email.
I am revising a ten-year novel project and can amost see the light at the end of the tunnel. Will report good news here.
All best, Gail
It is a heist. Don’t do it. You can always self-publish. Joyce took ten years to write Ulysses.
Happy to know you haven’t abandoned us, and congrats on the book news! Alas, my writing journey has detoured into (mostly) an on-line journal for friends and family – a necessity after getting a serious medical diagnosis (suffice to say it’s bad…just keep a good thought for me), but I did use NANOWRIMO to submit a proposal towards a grant to assist with a graphic novel project. Fingers crossed!
Wishing everyone all the season’s best.
Sending you many good thoughts for recovery and return to health. Happy to see you here and inspired.
“Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow”?
Yes, of course I will. I’m like one of those old hounds who returns to their beloved humans’ graves day after day, never to be dissuaded, patiently awaiting some magical return. Good to see you are living long and prospering.
I’m presently working on various projects, one of which you have a passing familiarity with. I have followed up on the advice given me about that project by an editor and agent you are also familiar with.
I don’t know that I’ll see you on the TikToks. Time goes by so slowly, yet time can do so much. I may pop by.
All else is sorrow and complaint. Transmission out.
As this is the place for sunshine and roses, it’s good to have you back. Thanks for coming back to the Lerner Graveyard for wayward writers. I’ve missed us.
2Ns here. So glad you are out and about. Have missed you. I retired my column for the second time. The relief of shedding a deadline is life changing. Life is good ! On to other projects 🙂
Shedding. Yes. Sometimes that is the best path forward.