Perspective Shift

Note to Self: It's not about me.

The first time I learn Create Anyway is selling for $5.39 on Amazon, I think it’s a glitch. Some weird pricing loophole that surely won’t last.

“Get it now!” I tell everyone, “Who knows how long this will last?!”

As it turns out, the joke’s on me. Because the low price has lasted for a very very very long time. Six months in fact.

Occasionally someone will excitedly DM me on Instagram. Did you know your book’s on sale?!

Yes, kind stranger, I am painfully aware.

Although I’m not sure we can call “80% off” a sale.

Because when I think of something being marked down 80%, I think: discarded. Useless. Expired trends. Forsaken and obsolete. I think: nobody wants this. I think: bottom of the clearance bin.

Create Anyway: book castaway. Tale as old as time. I can see copies sitting in Amazon warehouses now, collecting dust, some person in charge of purchasing wondering, “why the heck did we order so many of these?”

It doesn’t help that the price dropped shortly after I learned my book isn’t performing well.

Between the low sales and the low price, it’s been easy to spin a sob story and throw myself a few pity parties.

One of the hardest parts of writing a book is continuing to live out the message and practice what you preach. In Create Anyway, I write about keeping a “mission over metrics” mindset. I write about finding worth and value in the creative process itself, no matter the outcome. I remind readers that making art is essential to our flourishing and wellbeing—regardless of whether or not that art ever garners profits, subscribers, awards or applause.

And yet here I am with a blunt confession: I’ve had a hard time believing my own words lately.

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Last week I received three photos in the course of 48 hours from three different women who had purchased multiple copies of my book to gift to their friends.

The messages and emails came in one after the other, but it’s the last DM that wrecks me.

She’s referencing several self-deprecating jokes I’ve made about how the $5 price tag isn’t helping my self-esteem.

“But it allowed me to purchase the books for my whole MomCo table …”

When I tell you this DM convicted me on the spot, I mean it pierced me in the heart, in the very best way.

Here I am, making this about myself. About my insecurities, my failures, my shortcomings, my disappointments, my embarrassment. Instead of recognizing what this low price is making possible for others. Instead of recognizing how many new women are going to read it, and hopefully be encouraged by the message inside.

And with that, I’d like to take back all the self-deprecating jokes and simply rejoice in the fact that my book is insanely affordable right now. It’s still $5.39 on Amazon (with a limit of four) and also $5.39 at Christianbook (with no limit).

I am honored and humbled that anyone would want to gift my book, let alone so many copies to so many friends. Thank you to Kristine, Kamden, and Katrina for sending me these photos (just now realizing all their names start with K—which is a total ladybug moment considering the K I did in this post 🤯 ). Thanks, Lord, for that God-wink.

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While we’re chatting about it and I’m feeling that weird mishmash of brave and vulnerable, if you’ve read and loved Create Anyway, would you mind taking 30-seconds to leave an Amazon review? I would appreciate it so, so much! ❤️

Photos by my friend Jenny.