Remember back in the summer, when I shared a submissions opportunity with you about Shaker of Margaritas: Bad Hair Day? You may recall that my sainted mother had a few issues when I “tried to write funny.” Thankfully, Linda Fisher, editor over at Mozark Press, did not.

My story, “Fluffo vs. Charlotte,” is in this newest anthology, just released! In fact, I recognized quite a few writers with stories in this anthology. And P.S. I read all the stories in the proof, and laughed out loud at how really bad a bad hair day can be. Check out this post at the Mozark Press blog for a preview of the stories (and writers you know!).

You’ll laugh, too. And as my mother’s still recuperating from her fall, I’m thinking I know just what she needs to perk up her spirits. Even if she likes the other stories way better than mine.

(You can order your A Shaker of Margaritas: A Bad Hair Day here. And you can get the Kindle edition as well. Just a quick reminder, too, that even if you do not have a Kindle, you can download for FREE the Kindle reading app for your PC.

I came across an interesting article yesterday over at International Freelancers Academy. It was called:

Why Low Self-Worth Drives Lower Wages for Women Freelancers — and What You Can Do About It

Sounds like a college course, doesn’t it? And honestly, the writer made some pretty well-researched and interesting points about freelancing. But even if you’re not at all interested in the freelancing side of writing, you may want to check out this article. In fact, you may want to spend some time over at IFA. It won’t be long before their articles and training and philosophy will start to seep into your psyche, encouraging you to value yourself as a writer.

Recently, I’ve spent quite a bit of time around family whom I love dearly, but family working in a 9 to 5, traditional work environment. And so, because I don’t work in a 9 to 5, traditional work environment, I’m invariably asked, “Now, what is it you do again?” And when I say (again) that I’m a writer, I’m also invariably asked what I write.

I suppose writers who can answer that question with, “Oh, I write for Cosmo.” Or “I write for _(insert large circulation newspaper)_.” might get an approving nod. But I stammer around, trying to think of something, anything that might sound familiar to a non-writer. Something that will erase that blank look from the listener’s eyes. Chicken Soup books usually come to my rescue, but of course, I know that they then think I write 9 to 5 for Chicken Soup for the Soul.

Oy. So on occasion, I need a little pep talk. I need to boost my self-esteem. I need to remember to value my work. The article at International Freelance Academy fortified me just in the nick of time. And now it’s time to get back to being a writer.