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August 2024 Update

2024 has been an interesting year. I have more than a dozen books in the hopper ready. I just have not written them. Multiple of these books I think about on a very regular basis, if not daily, I just have not written them. This is the theme for 2024, I have not written them. I have done lots of other writing. I write sermons every week. I prepare a midweek Bible Study and a Sunday School lesson. I have provided half a dozen articles for a friends magazine, so I am writing. I am just not writing books so far this year.

Ian Minielly: Front Runner for the 2024 Did Not Write Any Books Award. This prestigious award could be given to any number of hundreds of millions of people who did not write any books, so it has to be more discriminate than that. To qualify for the Did Not Write Any Books Award, an author must have at least one book idea ready and unwritten, but for each idea that goes unwritten an author moves up the finalist list. Right now Ian Minielly is leading the nation with a dozen plus books and short story ensembles and even two books of poetry simmering in the background.

When asked why he was not writing any new books when he had so much material prepped and ready, Ian said, "Well it is a funny thing. I have only lost money on books. I give many away that I pay for and I only sell around 30 or so a year, not counting those I buy and sell or give away. So the act of writing means I pour my time and effort into losing money and if so few read what I write and even fewer leave reviews, then why should I write books to speed my way to the poor house? Maybe I can get one written in time for Christmas... I have some really good ideas."

Christmas season was good to me

The 2023 holiday season with all the people buying gifts was good to me as an author. I noticed a large uptick in purchases and I am very thankful for that. I hope the people who received my books as a present read them soon and I also hope they enjoy them. It is hard to know when people like your books as an independent author because all I have to see are sales and sales are not constant.

I suppose I could do more to advertise, but I just do not have the desire to do it. I am asking my wife to get more involved trying to locate a literary agent, but so far she has not put forth any effort. Hopefully soon she will! I think an agent would aid in the reach of my books as Amazon only goes so far . Let's hope 2024 sees 1-2 books written and published and many readers entertained and informed through the books.

If you have anything to add I would love to hear it. You can contact me via the website or Facebook. I would love to hear your feedback and thoughts. Thank you and have a merry 2024.

I am pleased to announce I have self-certified myself as the 2023 American Short Story Champion for Emily's Tears. While my first book has been available for years, I am very happy to accept this award given by myself. Sometimes recognition is slow to come and sometimes the accolades come swiftly. I am just happy it happened while I am alive so I can enjoy it instead of after I am dead when I won't even know it happened.

I am also happy to announce I am the first and only recipient of the Oddly Rounded Author award in October 2023. This award is given to the American author by me who refuses to stay within one single genre to capitalize on the marketability of a single genre and instead chooses to write on topics across different fields and therefore self-limit my own reach with each audience. While this is not the preferred method to reach and grow an audience, let alone sell books, I am happy to accept the award as an independent author making my own decisions and doing my own thing.

I look forward to seeing what the future holds!