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April 22, 2026

The Novel Is Out! So What Next?

 

 

A few of my friends have been sending me pictures of Niccolo out and about in the world. He's a cat, so this suits him--he hates to be confined!

I'm hoping he manages to find all kinds of new interesting places to hang out. And I promise he won't claw your furniture or barf up hairballs. But he is a predator, with natural feline lust for a kill. So you never know what he might be capable of. Could be quite disturbing.

I think a couple of very kind blog regulars have purchased a copy, and thank you SO MUCH for that! And the link is right here if anyone else has an inclination to check it out: Niccolo Would Like a Word on Amazon. It's free if you have Kindle Unlimited.

 

Adopt me please!

So I'm currently at that awkward stage where I've already arm-twisted all my friends to buy my book. I'm  now trying to persuade strangers to read it. But the odds are long, and competition is fierce, and it's a quirky book that does not fit neatly into the normal categories. It's not a book everyone will love. But it's a book some people will love, and the trick will be finding them.

It's been about 3 weeks now, and there have been some very positive developments! Also some disappointments. We'll see how it goes. Three weeks is not a long time in the life-cycle of a novel.

Oh and I've now got an author website,  Jan-Graham.com, where non-existent readers can go to find out more!

Perhaps some of these nonexistant people who land there will sign up for a newsletter that at some future date will announce a new novel. And in the meantime possibly giveaways, discounts, free beta-reading opportunities, or quite possibly, nothing! If you already signed up here in the upper right-hand corner for the Just Cranky newsletter, I'll include any updates there as well. Or what the hell, make it easy for me and sign up for both.

In any event, if you click on Jan-Graham.com to check out the site, this will begin to alert The Google that the site exists. I'd like people who have actually read the novel and want to google the author to end up at my site and not that of the Other Jan Graham who writes erotic BDSM fiction.

So, what's next on the agenda? 

Those of you who have watched my Online Identity Crisis unfold over these last months will probably be amused/annoyed that I can't seem to figure out what I'm doing here.

Fitness blog? Expat blog? Lifestyle blog? Miscellaneous Complaints blog? I've changed the name twice, flailing around, trying to recapture some of the fun and community we had here back in the Cranky Fitness days of yore.

I think the problem is that I'm writing for myself, and not for readers clamoring to go back to the old blogging days. I had a great excuse with the idea that it was "marketing" for an upcoming novel, but surprise, surprise: that didn't really work. And no reason it would! I didn't put in the kind of effort it would take to draw in new readers. Plus: blogging is not a Thing anymore. I knew that, but couldn't resist.

However, it's been so great to catch up with those of you who showed up, and I'm so glad I did it! 

Probaby what I'll do is keep the blog up, but update only occasionaly, just to see who's still around and what you all are up to. It's actually pretty weird just how special you are to me, even though most of us have never met in person. I have so loved hearing from you! And I'm so, so grateful. 

There's no point saying "goodbye," though. Because I seem to be incapable of killing this thing off completely. So I'm confident I'll be back every now and again.

Maybe I'll just say "hasta luego?" 

Take care everyone! 

12 comments:

  1. Mary Anne in KentuckyApril 22, 2026 at 4:04 PM

    I think the internet needs a Miscellaneous Complaints blog, more focused (and better written) than the miscellaneous complaints from the many social things that now dominate it.

    If I still had a blog I would mention Niccolo on it, but nevermind.

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    1. Mary Anne, I've loved all the time we've spent complaining together and will miss it too much to ever leave the blog world entirely! And thank you SO much for giving Niccolo a try, I really appreciate it!

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  2. I love that you are busy writing and blogging. I'm with Mary Anne, a Miscellaneous Complaints blog would be interesting, and probably funny knowing you. I haven't the energy or ideas to blog again, but I do kind of miss it.

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    1. Right? Blogging takes just enough energy to add to the "to do" list, which at our age we'd like to minimize, but then NOT blogging, it feels like something is missing. I do love getting to chat with you all and follow what you are up to.

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  3. I'm glad you come back and update once in so often. I do have a Kindle now, I need to get on it and see if I still have a password. Meanwhile, keep writing!

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    1. Thanks messymimi, I was so excited when I wandered back to blogging and found you were still there, still doing so much with yours!

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  4. I am with you about blogging. I still have mine, but haven't posted anything for years and years. It was fun, back then, but feels like a lot of work!
    I don't have a Kindle, and have yet to purchase your book, but I promise I will...eventually!
    I look forward to reading anything you post here, even if it's intermittent. I, too, loved the community we built during the blogging days, and still consider many from that time my friends.

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  5. I loved when you were still blogging Bag Lady, and yes, I still feel connected after all these years! At least lurking on FB still works though, and I love to follow what you're up to.

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  6. Duck, living in a libraryApril 23, 2026 at 11:48 AM

    I already have more unread books than I'm likely to get through in my lifetime, but I'm curious enough I'll pick up a copy of yours. 😁

    ¿Hasta luego? No. Hasta pronto.

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    1. That is such a kind offer but you are completely excused! I'm not sure how it works in the E.U, pretty sure paperback isn't available although ebooks might be. If you are already behind on your books theres no need to add to the pile!

      ¡Hasta pronto!

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  7. I put your book on my wishlist for future purchase. It sounds like something I would really enjoy reading!
    I 'get' your issues with blogging. I am so thankful for you and my other online gal, who visit my blog so faithfully. I too, am finding it hard to write, even one post a week.
    My old blog was all about discovery of this and that, suggestions for weight loss, exercising, and healthier living. My new one has so many other topics. Perhaps it's a lack of direction?
    For whatever reason, I will still read every post of yours because I like you, I find you funny, and I just enjoy reading your take on things. I've signed up on the new website thing too.
    I guess we'll both just keep swimming in our little fishbowls until we figure out the answers to everything. (Is that even possible?) hahahaha

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    1. I really got a kick out of it when you started posting again Sherri, I love your honest reflections and sense of humor. And thank you for the kind words and for handing over your email address! Promise I will not spam you. And I sure hope someday we cross paths IRL!

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Thanks, I love hearing from you! Ignore the stupid google warning about needing an account. Just use the dropdown that starts wiith Anonymous.

And feel free to be Anon, that's cool! Or even better, keep going and drop a name in the name field. Made-up is fine! Even include an url if you're not spammy. You can find nice people here, I swear. Anyone nasty gets deleted.

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