<3 Welcome to my
Mahalo,
I’m writing this edition of The Writer Gal Letter listening to a song called Body Parts by Yore. I first heard this song when I was sitting down at a Starbucks chatting with TEDx Chowringhee’s organizer, having what I assumed was a casual chat about life, the universe and all things. I did NOT think it would end up being one of the most monumental meetings of my life!!
Life is like that, Postmate. It really does take the path untraveled and makes it a wondrous and scary thing. The one thing I have learned in the last one week since my *Talk* is this - wonder and scared is the starting place for all the best things in the world.
I was scared when I wrote my first book. I was scared crazy when I self-published my first book. I was scared when I made Top 100 over and over again. I was scared GUTLESS when I stepped foot on the red dot and realized the magnificence I was going to be a part of.
It’s taken me the last one week and, really, the last eight years of being an author, maybe even all my life of being a writer, to realize fear and wonder belong together. They teach you the best lessons and take you places you’ll never go otherwise.
Look where I went!
I am not at liberty to share more than the bare snippets of THE TALK but suffice it to say, there was applause, there was a tiny bit of laughter and I enjoyed every single moment of my stage-time. I really did. Unraveling myself to 200+ people crystallized my own journey in my head, made me so damn proud of myself and worthy of ALL the love you give me daily, Postmate.
I’ll NEVER say I hope to live up to your love, Postmate. I’ll say thank you and hold you tight for the long, amazing ride I have planned for us.
NOTE: The talk will take about a month to be uploaded to Youtube and I swear, I’ll send you a special TWGL edition JUST to share the link the second it goes live!
NOTE 2: The giveaway winner for the previous newsletter is Teri! Congratulations Teri.
NOTE 3: I’ll be doing monthly giveaways of all kinds so you have that awesomeness to look forward to, Postmate.
Now, without further ado, let’s dive into other booksy news.
SURPRISE FLASH EVENT
Just for the next 5 days, that is from the 27th to the 31st, EVERY SINGLE Aarti V Raman single title (not counting boxsets) will be on sale. That’s more than 15 books available at a significantly lower price than usual. So, if you’d like to gift my books to a reader pal or download them forever, get them all now without hurting your pocket :D
This won’t be an often-repeated occurrence.
Here are the links to the various major Amazon stores to get a look at the books you’ve missed out on or NEED, like, right now. I am available in Europe -Germany, Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands - too so you can check me there too!
Click here: Amazon US, Amazon India, Amazon UK, Amazon Canada, Amazon Australia
2021 Wrapped
I’m going to try to wrap this year up as accurately as possible so you can witness the highs and lows and the insanity of Aarti V Raman/Writer Gal’s brain :P
Drafts trashed: 2 for Drake, 4 for Raahil and Niva, none for Wedding and Reunion.
Books read: 97 and counting! My Goodreads goal is 100.
Books written: Drake and Anya, Raahil-Niva, Lena and Shane (rewrites count!), Geeks’ Wedding, Foes’ Reunion
Books published: You know this! You’ve read them all!
No. of Aarti V Raman series: 3 finished, 2 on-going!
Books hitting Bestseller 50: 3 (because of you)
Books hitting Bestseller 100: 4 (Shane and Lena was 1000% because of you)
TWGL editions: 29 (all for you)
Words written: What is counting even?! (I’ll admit to being selfish and say my words are all mine first, though).
Content seen so I could write the awesome heroes I write: Do I need to count this? ;)
Nervous breakdowns: 1 mini and 1 major both of which have changed my life in ways I can’t fathom even.
Places visited in the pandemic fully masked up and socially distanced as possible: A magical city called Kolkata!
AND ONE freaking awesome TEDx Talk to round it all off!
These stats do not even account for the hundreds of hours I’ve spent low-key freaking out over everything - vaccinations, releases, covers, blocks, losing people - or disbelieving my awesome life where I get to be CEO of my own business AND tell stories that are universally beloved AND still take a mid-afternoon nap.
But, one thing I know, no matter how much I tell you how grateful I am to you, Postmate, for every share, every review, every like and comment on the posts and this newsletter, it doesn’t come close to how much I truly appreciate you. Whatever I am is because of you.
I don’t have much more on the news front at the moment, since I’m still sorting through pictures and memories of my time in Kolkata - the freaking magical city. I’ll write in as soon as I’ve organized them into semblance!
Writer Gal Recommends
Visiting Kolkata, especially Park Street during Christmas. The whole street was lit up like a light show was about to erupt any second.
Reading Mills and Boon romances because Imma go old-school on you with the Billionaires!
Cuddling around your loved ones close because this shit show of a year has come to a close.
And never give up hope that everything will work out for you JUST as you want it.
Writer Gal’s Writer Pals Present
For this edition of TWGL I have delightfully taboo romances by writer friends and two exclusive events of books. The BIG one, though is coming in a few days.
First up is Cole Denton’s Branded. Ryan and Russell are smoking hot and adorably angsty and I can honestly say that cover has me feeling all of the feels there are! LOOK. At. THEM!
Next up is Selena’s Bad Apple. Talk about a naughty cover and with that totally intriguing title, I’m sold on this book being hot, deliciously wicked, and oh-so-perfect!
That’s it from me for this edition of TWGL, Postmate. I’ll be sending just one more edition for 2021 and I’d hate for you to miss it. So don’t :P
Till then, stay safe and awesome.
xx
Aarti