Here's some advice for a book launch just in time for the March 2026 Insecure Writer's Support Group post.

Well, March is upon us. Over here in Utah, we are experiencing the driest winter we've ever had. I kinda wonder what will happen when the Winter Olympics comes here in about a decade. If there's no snow, do they just cancel the Olympics? Is that a thing? LOL. I guess we will find out.

Today is the first Wednesday of March. As a result, it is time for the Insecure Writer's Support Group. This is a monthly blogfest, and it's sign-up is on this page (if you'd like to join). So, what is the Insecure Writer's Support Group? Let's answer that question below.

What is the purpose of the IWSG?: It's to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds.

When do y'all Post?: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. That's when you should post your thoughts on your own blog or talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. You can discuss your struggles and triumphs and offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. As part of the whole experience, you should visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post. And please be sure your avatar links back to your blog. Otherwise, when you leave a comment, people can't find you to comment back.

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world.

The X (formerly Twitter) handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

The awesome co-hosts for the March 4 posting of the IWSG are PJ Colando, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, and Natalie Aguirre!

Every month, the IWSG announces a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.

Remember, the question is optional!

March 4 question - What elements do you include in your book launch? Or what do you have in mind for your future book launch? Or what advice do you have to offer to others planning to launch a book?

I haven't actually done a book launch. However, I've been to a bunch. The thing that seems to strike me as common among them all is a dedicated launch team for promotion and a mix of digital and physical engagement. There should be a social media campaign, a book trailer (easier and easier to do with Ai), a media kit, email marketing, and Advanced Reader Copies (ARC's). If you're against using Ai then the book trailer is probably going to be more difficult to do. However, I would urge you not to take that position. Ai slop is everywhere and if you aren't on board, then you're more likely behind because of your choices. Ai needs full regulation to curb its usage. People just choosing to "opt out" because of "integrity" are winning the high ground. But that's all you're winning. It would be the same as people volunteering to throw money at the national debt. It does nothing. Either we are all forced to or it doesn't work.

Anyway, that's all the advice I have to give. Thanks for visiting.

The IWSG asks what it's like for each of us to reread our old written works.

Is love in the air for February? 2026 just seems to feel different for many reasons, and maybe love is there for some. Anyone seeing Wuthering Heights? However, I do think that (overall) I dislike February because it feels like my March mortgage payment rolls around a lot faster. That being said, it's also a new month and being the first Wednesday, it is time for the Insecure Writer's Support Group. This is a monthly blogfest, and it's sign-up is on this page (if you'd like to join). So, what is the Insecure Writer's Support Group? Let's answer that question below.

What is the purpose of the IWSG?: It's to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds.

When do y'all Post?: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. That's when you should post your thoughts on your own blog or talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. You can discuss your struggles and triumphs and offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. As part of the whole experience, you should visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post. And please be sure your avatar links back to your blog. Otherwise, when you leave a comment, people can't find you to comment back.

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world.

The X (formerly Twitter) handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

The awesome co-hosts for the February 4th  posting of the IWSG are J Lenni Dorner, Victoria Marie Lees, and Sandra Cox!

Now, every month the IWSG announces a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.

February 4th question - Many writers have written about the experience of rereading their work years later. Have you reread any of your early works? What was that experience like for you?

I was pleasantly surprised when I reread some works that I'd written a few years earlier. I also noticed that there were mistakes that leapt out at me that seemed invisible at the time. I think it's a strange phenomenon to get so used to a thing that you can no longer see the mistakes and must rely on someone else to point them out. 

Thanks for visiting and see you next month :). 

Is there anything in my writing plans for 2026 that I couldn't get done in 2025?

Happy New Year everyone. Now that it is officially January of 2026, I guess it's time to post for the Insecure Writer's Support Group. To those who just stumble across this page randomly, the IWSG was started by Speculative Fiction author Alex Cavanaugh many years ago. It is still going, and you can sign-up to participate HERE if you'd like.

What is the Purpose of the IWSG?: It is to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak (I actually never realized how appearing weak was so undesirable to so many people). Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds.

When does everyone post?: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting. Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post. And please be sure your avatar links back to your blog. Otherwise, when you leave a comment, people can't find you to comment back.

The X (formerly Twitter) handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

The awesome co-hosts for the January 7 posting of the IWSG are Shannon Lawrence, Olga Godim, Jean Davis, and Jacqui Murray!

Every month, the IWSG announces a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story, but it is always optional.

January 7th question - Is there anything in your writing plans for 2026 that you are going to do that you couldn't get done in 2025?

If anything, I think that I might enter some more short story contests in 2026. Obviously, I couldn't enter them in 2025 because they are contests for this year. But as I've gotten older, I appreciate the format of the short story more and more. I feel like it is a lost art, and a writer can convey a lot in just a few pages. It also forces you to tighten up your prose, which I feel is always useful.

Thanks for visiting, and I'll see you in February.