Heather Stewart Poetry

It has been one month since Shapeshifting was published and I have definitely learned some things.

Traditionally published does not equal available in all bookstores immediately but it is a hell of a head start. I’ve been going to local indie bookstores and seeing if their willing to stock on the shelves, as well as coffee shops that have local artist sections, and promoting a TikTok shop to buy signed copies.

It doesn’t sound like much, but it is taxing. It’s difficult to get out there and ask people who don’t know you to believe in your work. I’ve had mixed responses. So my book will be available on the shelf at Blue Cypress Books in New Orleans!

So far, other stores have declined for very understandable reasons that I am working on. Like draw. I still have quite a few to visit, so hope is not lost and several places where I can do signing and reading type events down the road. There are a bunch of poetry events that go on in New Orleans and Slidell, so I’m also going to those, bringing a few copies, and reading poetry at them. That is also….. vulnerable and uncomfortable, but nothing I want just appears in my comfort zone. I had to go get it, and I will continue going out and getting what exposure I can for my collection everywhere I can.

That also means continuing to post on social media, which is itself daunting but also going well. I’m not some kind of overnight success but it’s a good start and it’s progressing, which is about what I expect for now and for it to grow with consistency.

Consistency really is the magic ingredient in everything. So, the first month down. A plan and a pattern established. Here we go!

Also, I did find a flow to be able to keep writing, which has been nice. I’m gonna be posting new poems on Instagram as stories for a little while and eventually put those together on a book 2!

It’s kind of amazing that I already have plans for more books. I was always worried that this first one would be published and I would sputter, but it has had the opposite effect.