When you work on something for almost two years, you get pretty darn excited when you learn that the kind folks who pre-ordered it well over six months in advance will have their copies in time for Christmas. Yay!

So, yes! The Writer’s Workout will indeed be “home” for Christmas (or Hannukah or Kwanza or by the New Year), if you placed an order or if you place one now.

Don’t dilly-dally if you want a copy or a gift to arrive by Christmas. Place your order right away!

A little reminder, given the tight budgets at most brick and mortar stores, I would not necessarily expect them to all have my book (or books) on their shelves. So if you support the indies, be sure to call now and ask them to place an order for you to guarantee arrival by December 24th.

I have been as busy as a little elf with a pre-launch blog tour for the book, but this mama needs to switch into Xmas/Hannukah high-gear prep or this whole holiday season is going to pass the Katz family right by.

So thanks for helping me spread the word about my new book. It’s as simple as sharing your enthusiasm about your purchase. I would love for you to share your enthusiasm about The Writer’s Workout before, during, or after you read it.

Here’s a short phrase you can use to describe the book on social media:

Christina Katz’ third book from Writer’s Digest Books is now shipping in time to put a smile on writers’ faces this holiday season. The Writer’s Workout contains daily career-building prompts addressing challenges contemporary writers face in the gig economy in an encouraging yet no-nonsense tone.

I know you will all shop your values. I’ve listed all the ways to order that I know of here.

And for two more days only, you can order copies of The Writer’s Workout for just ten bucks from WritersDigest.com. Just click on the banner below:

Thanks to everyone who has already ordered and thanks to everyone now ordering in time for the holidays.

Don’t forget to save your receipt! You will need to email it to me to be admitted to the “Flash Class” on January 10th.

Happy Holidays, writers!

My iPhone is plugged in and charging in the kitchen as I type this blog post on my laptop in the sunroom when the phone starts to ring.

Am I going to get up and go get it?

Nope.

Because I’ve got something to say and you can bet that as soon as I pick up that phone and say, Hello?, I will lose my train of thought.

The phone is ringing again. This person is persistent. They clearly think I should answer the phone.

Am I giving in?

No.

By the way, my daughter is with my husband right now. His call has a special ring, so I would know if he was calling. And, naturally, I would answer.

Ditto if my daughter was at school, and I hadn’t programmed a special ring from the school (I haven’t yet), and the phone rang, I would immediately get off my duff and go check the phone to make sure it wasn’t an emergency call regarding her.

That’s just how working moms are. We have our priorities. They are not negotiable.

Everyone else can wait. At least when I’m focused on my work and there is nothing else so critical as to merit my immediate attention.

Writing takes concentration. Administrating my career also takes focus. Maintaining my schedule of what I choose to freely give also takes considerable time and energy. Why would I give my time, my most valuable resource, away to others?

If you are having trouble with focus, let me run down a quick list of things for you of things that can probably wait:

• E-mail reading and responses can wait.
• Social networking, including all of the usual suspects, can wait.
• Paperwork can wait.
• Chatting with girlfriends can wait.
• Planning your family trip to Disney or your business trip to New York can wait.
• Perhaps blogging can and should wait. (For me, today, it could not wait. Other days, it certainly can.)
• Sales calls coming in not only can wait, those people can be put on a do not call list.
• Anyone who thinks you just sit home and play on your computer all day can definitely wait (and needs to be gently reminded that you are a working professional with a daily work schedule and deadlines).
• People who want to create drama can not only wait, but you should put them on special rings that make doom and gloom sounds because that’s the impact they are going to have on your career.

Basically, if you are a working writer, the only people you should allow into your workday are those who respect you and your time.

You will recognize them because they  will either come right out and ask, “Is this a good time to talk?” or they will send you non-urgent e-mails that you can reply to when it’s convenient for you. Certainly, they will never take it personally or feel rebuffed if or when you say, “Sorry, I’m busy. I can’t talk/tweet/meet right now.”

And, naturally, there are plenty of situations you cannot ignore. You will decide what they are and respond to them more spontaneously.

Part of being a grown-up is not getting thrown off your game by someone else dictating when and how you should be available to them.

I was a late bloomer when it came to becoming a grown-up. I have since witnessed sixteen-year-olds who are so good at managing their time that I am in awe of their self-respect.

I would like to be in awe of your self-respect too. I would like you to be available when you wish to be available and not available when you’d really rather not be. And please don’t feel like you have to apologize for your lack of availability.

It’s not up to me how much time you spend with your arms wide open. It’s up to you.

Capitalize on your ability to choose when you are available and when you are not available. It’s the only way you’ll get your work done. It’s the only way to succeed in the long run as a creative.

Photo by dragontoller

It’s pretty rare for me to read a book and think, Wow, this book is the perfect compliment to Get Known.

But I’ve just found one, and now I’m in search of others. Got any ideas for me? Know any books that cover topics that are complimentary to the author-platform topics covered in Get Known?

Here’s my review for Gary Vaynerchuk’s book, Crush It, Why Now Is The Time To Cash In On Your Passion (Harper Studio).

I had heard about Gary Vaynerchuk from a few folks when I decided to attend his talk at Book Expo America 2009. Naturally, my first response was, “Well, this guy is a little over the top for me…but I’ll see what I think.” Far from being put off by Gary, I was charmed by his laid back no-baloney cut-to-the-chase message. It was then that I decided to get and read his book. Now that I’ve read “Crush It,” I’m convinced that, like Seth Godin’s books “Permission Marketing” and “Tribes,” “Crush It” is a book that everyone needs to read. And hey, if you are at all down in the dumps after what has been a tough year for many, I highly recommend that you drop whatever you are doing and read this book. I’m not sure that passion can replace a paycheck in anything less than six months to a year, but certainly, if you have ever contemplated that possibility, this book will give you the nudge you need to focus on your strengths and turn them into prosperity. I look forward to reading more of Gary’s books, which I hope will be coming down the publishing pipe soon.

Why do I think Crush It! is a nice compliment to Get Known? Well, in Get Known, I focus on finding a niche that can result in a traditional book deal. Whereas in Crush It!, Gary focuses on finding what you are passionate about and then turning that love into work. Obviously, since his passion turned into a huge multi-book deal, his method works, as well. (Okay, perhaps a bit more effectively than mine.)

But let’s not forget that Mr. Vaynerchuk, just like every bestselling author I’ve ever heard of has been working on his platform tirelessly for many years. Consistent hard work is still going to be the best indicator of future success whether you are blogging or writing for a book in partnership with a publishing house.

And finally, I agree with Gary’s definition of passion. I also like his explanation of DNA and how it impacts choices and decisions in business. And, probably the most important point, I like Gary. He’s present, he’s energetic, and he keeps things real.

I think every writer should read Crush It! as we head into 2010 and then read Get Known. They make a great one-two combination.

Feel like you need a kick in the pants to get you airborne as we head into 2010?

Seth Godin put together this terrific preso of writing by authors called What Matters Now. These messages will inspire all writers as we head into 2010. For all of us platform builders, the content offers great examples of how successful authors think. Click on each author’s  URL as you read along to catch a glimpse of how they have each designed their online shingles. Seth’s next book, coming in January 2010, is Linchpin (but the book of his that I wish everyone would read or reread is Permission Marketing).

Author Lee Silber created an inspirational end-of-the-year message on YouTube that will be helpful for just about anyone. What I like about it is that it asks each of us questions to consider. Watch it and get focused. His latest book is The Wild Idea Club.

Chris Brogan did a series of video posts on his thoughts about Overnight Success in 2009. I like to think that I might have been a catalyst in his coming up with this idea, because when he attended my session at The Writer’s Digest Conference in September, I emphasized that there is no such thing as overnight success for authors. I guess he didn’t believe me. (Chuckling.) Have you checked out his book that went straight to the New York Times Bestseller List? That’s eleven years of preparation for overnight success paying off.

Slow and steady wins the race. Hope these gems help you get pumped up for 2010. Enjoy!

Photo by artjunkgirl