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Quitting the day job

As I write this I have been a full time author for one week. It’s also now the long summer school holidays in Australia, so I’m also a full time mum.

Lots of authors dream of that day when they can resign from the day job. For some it is harder than others. Hubby and I had agreed on the amount I needed to be making to quit after I sold the Shadowlands trilogy. However making the jump was still scary.

What if I never get another contract? The idea has crossed my mind more than once. Paranormal romance isn’t as hot as it was. Contemporary is the new favorite.

What if I run out of ideas? Probably unlikely but what if the pressure of staying home and writing causes crippling writers block?

While ‘what if’ is usually very useful, if not essential to the writer, when it comes to big decisions it can create fear.

Lots of fear. However I did it. I handed in my notice and crossed my fingers. As soon as I’d done it I felt so relived and excited to be on a new path.

Then something happened. People at work started asking where I was going as if I leaving to join another engineering firm, when I told them I was leaving to be a full time author they either were delighted and wished they could do something like that, or told me I was basically an idiot and no one read books anymore, or worse why pay for a book when they can down load it for free (I may have gone into an anti-piracy rant, after all they wouldn't like to be working for free).

I realize that I’m very lucky to have a supportive husband, and to be able to follow my bliss. While I'm a believer that when you clear space in your life new things arrive to fill the gap, I also believe in hard work and taking advantage of every opportunity that comes along. 

2014 should be awesome!

Look, pretty new cover :)
Lord of the Hunt (out January 2014) is available for pre-order:
Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/GVIurC
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1gmIwmI
Booktopia: http://www.booktopia.com.au/lord-of-the-hunt-shona-husk/prod9781402280191.html
Bookdepository: http://www.bookdepository.com/Lord-Hunt-Shona-Husk/9781402280191

She Wasn't Cut Out for His World...
The realm of the fairies might be unbelievably beautiful, but its people are notoriously treacherous. Raised among mortals, Taryn hoped to avoid her fairy heritage her whole life. But now she must cross over to Annwyn and appeal to the King to pardon her exiled parents, or they're sure to die. And to get to the King, she'll first have to face the Lord of the Hunt...
He Can't Imagine Life Without Her...
Verden, Lord of the Hunt, is sworn to serve to King. But the moment he sees Taryn, the attraction is instant and devastating. How can he not help the beautiful, brave young woman who refuses to bend to the will of the court? Yet the power in Annwyn is shifting, its magic failing. No matter how much he may love Taryn, the Hunter knows that abandoning his duty could bring down the mortal world forever...

“Surprising, sensual and full of magic!” - RT Book reviews
"Ms Husk writes a deadly novel of desire... " - Tea and Book



Comments

  1. What a brave decision, Shona. I'm sure you will flourish. You are a true professional.

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  2. Good luck to you, Shona! I love being a fulltime author, although I'm also a fulltime mom, so balancing that has been tough.

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  3. Hey, Shona, thrilled for you! When I began selling enough of my indie works, I realized I could quit my day job. I had to if I was ever going to have enough time to write. I was writing 40 hours per week/which included edits and promo, and working the day job 40 hours per week. I knew I couldn't last at that kind of schedule forever. Like you, I was worried about the decision. I don't have anyone to support me if this went South fast. I found it was the best decision I ever made. I earn lots more than what I did at the day job, and love it so much more!!! Enjoy being a full-time author! It's a lot of work, but it was before too! :)

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  4. Congratulations! You're going to love being a full time writer.

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  5. Much applause in the background!!! I made the leap to full time in Jan 2013. It has been a fantastic, wild, wonderful year...and it's working. (shocker!) My income was good this year and we project next year I will be making as much or more than I ever did in my 30 years of corporate insanity. And this job is so much more fun!!! Congratulations! Yes scary, yes worth it.

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  6. Congratulations on your "new" life. That mean more time for writing which is great for us readers!

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  7. I'm happy for you, Shona! You'll love it when you het used to it. Congrats!

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  8. Congrats on quitting the day job, Shona. I hung up my banker's hat in 2007 and have been a full-time creator of made up stuff since. It's the best job in the world. While it's true there are no guarantees, no steady paycheck, it's like Christmas every time an unexpected royalty or international sale rolls in.

    It really strengthens the connection between writer and reader. We aren't writing in a vacuum. It reinforces to me how much I need to do my best to deliver a satisfying read every time.

    However, a word of warning: Create a reason to get out of the house every day. Otherwise you'll end up working in your jammies!

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  9. Congratulations, Shona! I'm so excited for you. It was the hardest decision I ever made to quit my day job, but then something happened that I didn't count on--becoming a grandma and babysitting! I love it, but it certainly filled the hours that I'd spend at the office fill up fast!

    I'm still struggling to find the perfect balance.

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  10. I'm so happy you were able to do that. Great job in embracing your destiny. ;-)

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  11. Congratulations on having the courage to embrace your dreams!

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  12. Good luck, Shona! I made that same decision based more on the fact that I couldn't stomach the changes that had been made to my hospital more than how much money I was making as an author. It's scary, and it's had it's ups and downs, but I'm glad I did it!

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