My job is intense and the deadlines are tight. For the last month it's been pretty normal and breezy, but a new project just dropped with a super-short turnaround - just as my book is being released. Next week (including on Book Birthday!) I'll be locked in a room with a team of smart folks nutting out a solution and formulating responses. We'll have coffee foisted upon us as well as food to ensure nothing distracts us.

But.

But 'my precious' is being released and that's a big fucking deal for me.

It will be a real challenge to try to carve out time to give it the attention it needs on the day, and in the days after release.

It's important that I find the time to thank the people who are promoting it - off their own back, just because they are amazing humans - and saying nice things about it, and just being a generous community of authors and reviewers and publishers. It's something I simply need to do.

I'm hoping I can give it the attention it needs.

The conflict between job and passion/vocation is constant for me. It's not a new problem for any artist, but it's a puzzler.

(Here’s where I should talk about tips for mitigating any issues and how to achieve balance and “Here’s the top five things I do!” - but I haven’t figured it out yet. Damn you, work ethic!)