October Ketchup

October’s Ketchup

October’s Ketchup has arrived! For those of you just now checking in this month, Ketchup actually means “catch up.” At the end of every month, I write these posts describing what goes on behind the scenes at ShannonAThompson.com. Some of the topics I cover include my big moments, top blog post, guest posts, my top referrer, SEO term, and more in order to show insights that will hopefully help fellow bloggers see what was popular. I also hope it entertains the readers who want “extras” for this website.

Thank you for being a part of my life this October!

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Big Moments:

At the very beginning of this month, I had my first book signing in seven years! I was able to meet a lot of readers – both old and new – and we even shared muffins and tea while discussing books. It was a lot of fun! So quick shout out to Ice Fire Hookah Lounge for hosting the event.

Two amazing celebrities from South Africa quoted Seconds Before Sunrise this month. The first thank you goes out to DJ Fresh – one of the most influential muso’s in the South African music industry – and the next thank you goes out to The Big Break Legacy – a reality T.V. Show.

In other news, two of my poems were accepted for publication in a literary journal, but that’s all I can say for now! November will bring more information about that.

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Top Three Blog Posts:

1. Why Most of my Characters are Male: I wrote this after a Take Me Tomorrow book review was posted, mentioning the controversy that’s been talked about surrounding my latest novel. That controversy was having more males than females, and I finally addressed why this is with the book reviewer’s permission.

2. A Day in my Life as an Author and Publisher: I’ve been meaning to post this for almost a year! You can see into my daily life by reading this schedule of mine I live by during my publishing work week and my author life.

3. The Five Emotional Stages of a Book Signing: I had my first book signing in seven years, and I recorded every moment of emotional stress as well as happiness.

Guest Posts:

The Unconventional Working Habits of Brilliant Writers: Ninja Essays came to the rescue when I needed a day off, and they sent me a wonderful infograph along with a small section of text about authors and their strange habits. Who knows? Maybe you have something in common with Fitzgerald.

When the Protagonist Dies: Cogpunk Steamscribe wrote a beautiful discussion out in reflection of my post about parents dying in fiction. Her post, however, covers the fiction pieces in which the protagonist dies and how both writers and readers can react to this happening.

Other Blog Posts Organized By Topic:

Writing

• When to Stop Writing: I struggled with this myself this week, so I shared the top three moments that I know I have to take a step back.
• How a Writing Career Can Change in Two Years: While cleaning out my laptop, I found an old document outlining where I was two years ago – before I ever received a publishing contract or began this website.
• Writing is Misery: A reflection on one discussion I had about the stereotype that writers are miserable.
• The Pros and Cons of Setting Writing Deadlines: They can be helpful but just as destructive
• The Sequel Can Wait: Again, putting off writing isn’t a bad thing if it’s the right thing to do.

Entertainment:

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  Coffee & Cats: Episode 6: The Autumn Railroad won the second section of my interactive poetry series on Wattpad.

• Today’s Book Signing Event: I had a book signing!
• Why Writers Should Watch “Adult World”: a movie I recently watched that I believe all writers can appreciate, especially if you’re a poet
• Website Wonders

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At the end of the month, I also like to take a moment to thank all of the websites who supported me by posting reviews, interviews, and features. If you would like to review my novels or interview me, please send me an email at shannonathompson@aol.com. I always love speaking with new bloggers, writers, and readers! And I will share your post on all of my websites.

Reviewers:

(Take Me Tomorrow) People Like Books, ATROX, Reading in Wonderland, SDAV Reads, Note to Selph Book Reviews, Miss Heliotrope Reads, Southern Bred, Southern Read, The Book Spa, The Incorrigible Reader, Zoe Mortez, Krazy Reads, Rebekka B. Dan Thompson, Confessions of a Book Blogger

(Seconds Before Sunrise) The Incorrigible Reader, Red Sands Reviewz,

(Minutes Before Sunset) SDAV Reads, Real Rad Reads, The Incorrigible Reader

Interviews: Whispers in the Dark radio, Read to Write Stories, Life of a Young Adult Writer, People Like Books, Lit World Interviews,

Features: Ice Fire Hookah Lounge, Arvee Frenchie, Read to Write Stories,

Awarders: Deborah Wong