How much change can this Capricorn handle?
I’m a Capricorn, and one of the stereotypical characteristics of Capricorns is that they are ruled by their wallets—materialistic and money-hungry. This does not describe me at all, and so I tend to hate reading my horoscope, because while I’m looking for insight into my personal relationships, they almost always focus on my financial situation and whether I’m likely to get a promotion at work. There are, however, some traits assigned to Capricorns that do apply to me. One of these is being fiercely loyal, and another is a dislike/fear of change. This blog post focuses on the latter, because there has been a crap-load of change in my world over the last two weeks, and I’ve lost a lot of sleep over how the modifications will affect my life.
The first and most major change is that the publisher of my five novels, Booktrope, announced that they are closing their doors effective May 31st. I’m not going to comment on why this is happening, or how I feel about this development or the company for that matter, because it is what it is—it doesn’t matter what I think because the circumstances are out of my control—but as a result, all five of my books will be temporarily off the market after May 31st.
If you’ve already read my novels, great. If you’ve downloaded them, but haven’t had a chance to read them yet, have no fear as they will not disappear from your e-reader and you’ll still be able to read them at your leisure after June 1st. If you haven’t downloaded some or any of my books, now is a great time as three of them are only .99 cents—Just Friends With Benefits from May 16th until May 22nd, and Blogger Girl and Novelista Girl for the rest of the month. But if you’re not ready to take the leap, no worries as the books will be available again at some point in the future.
Some of you are probably curious what I plan to do with the novels when the rights revert to me on June 1st. I can’t tell you—yet—and this is because I don’t know—yet. What I can tell you is that the books will not be unavailable indefinitely and I am working on it! I want to do what is best for the novels and for my writing career in general, and sometimes these things take a little time. I promise to keep you posted. And I assure you that I’m still writing. Not only will the first five books be back after a brief hiatus, but there will be a sixth, seventh, and eighth book, too. I’m a writer. It’s what I do.
But back to my dislike of change. One of the reasons I love where I live is its proximity to my office building and my gym. I’m about a fifteen minute walk to work and, since my fitness center is right next door to my apartment, I basically roll out of bed and fall into the gym. This will not be the case after June 5th as shortly after I received the news of my publishers’ shutting down, my gym announced they were closing my location! I belong to New York Sports Club, and so there are several locations I can frequent instead, but I enjoy spin classes and the closest one with a cycling studio is about a fifteen-minute walk away. I go to the gym in the morning and I shiver at the thought of walking in brutally cold temperatures for a six-thirty a.m. spin class. There is a more ideally located Crunch gym across the street from my apartment, and I will definitely be checking it out soon. I’m not thrilled about having to cross the street after almost a decade of being able to run to the gym in shorts and a T-shirt in below-zero temperatures, but I’ll take it over a fifteen-minute walk!
To add insult to injury, ABC announced the cancellation of both Castle and Nashville! Although I’m not that upset about Castle, since I’d rather it be cancelled then proceed without Beckett anyway, I will shed some tears over the ending of Nashville, especially since I doubt the producers were given enough notice to give the show the finale it deserves, which means Gunnar and Scarlet, Deacon and Rayna, and Avery and Juliette will not live happily ever after. And Maddie will likely still be under the influence of that awful Chase! (Although, I just checked and it appears that (a) the writers wrote several alternate season finales in the event the show was cancelled and (b) a few other networks are looking to rescue the show! Perhaps all is not lost…
In general, the month of May has come with a bit more change than comfortable for this Capricorn, but it appears there is light at the end of the tunnel with respect to the fate of Nashville, and I do believe my writing career will eventually benefit from the temporary displacement of my books, too. Right now, I can’t find a silver lining for my gym closing, but maybe I’ll meet a sexy and available gentlemen at my new gym. Or perhaps something cool will open in its place, like a book store! Anything is possible and until I know for sure, I’ll write my own happy ending.
I’m a writer. It’s what I do.
Must be something in the air. As a fellow Capricorn, I have been feeling so overwhelmed by things lately in my life. Some days, I just want to up and disappear from everyone and everything. Take care.
Happy Monday to a fellow Capricorn! I’m sorry you’ve felt overwhelmed, too. Hopefully, the changes will do us both good. Hang in there!
Great post, Meredith. I love your positive attitude at the end, and agree that things will work out. I’m not a Capricorn, but am feeling a lot of the same stuff these days. So much unexpected stuff going on. But we’ll get through.
Yes, we will!!
You’ve got this!
Thank you for your confidence 🙂
That’s a lot of change! I am a creature of habit. I hear there is a private Facebook group comprised of Booktrope authors.
I’m a creature of habit as well, but sometimes change is good – once I get over the fear. I do think someone started a new page where folks could commiserate and discuss future plans for their books. I haven’t really participated – more focused on moving forward 🙂
Wow, Meredith, when it rains it pours for sure. At least you have options for the gym, and it would be wonderful if a bookstore (with a coffee shop) opened next door. I don’t watch television except for the news and a few specials, so I can’t comment on your shows. I have all 5 of your books on my Kindle and am working my way down to them. Keep your spirits up, there are brighter days ahead for you.
Thank you very much! There is a coffee shop next door – where I do all my writing. My next fear is that it will close as well! But a combination book store/coffee shop would be fantastic. Fingers crossed. Thank you for buying my books – I hope you enjoy them 🙂
I don’t do change well either, but many times have found change ushers in something new and amazing. I love ABC’s Nashville and am sad my favorite show has been cancelled. With American Idol and The Good Wife gone there will be little next season to hold my interest. Thank goodness Dancing With The Stars and The Bachelor have been renewed.
Hopefully, there will be some new good shows to take their place – ones that aren’t cancelled after a single season like The Family and Game of Silence (I liked both of them and there is no resolution!)
Good News!!! Cable Network CMT has picked up the fifth season of Nashville. Hulu will stream the episodes the day after they air on CMT. Perfect for someone like me who doesn’t subscribe to cable.
I know! I’m thrilled 🙂
So, I’ll give you more details when I see you in two weeks. (Can’t wait!) But apparently (and this could be total B.S.), excessive worry over change in this life, leads to an overly analytical mind in the next life. Sounds like you’re doing a great job rolling with the many changes happening right now – so I wouldn’t worry too much. You probably WON’T be reincarnated as a pension fund actuary. But I do wonder, are the analytical minds in this life – Capricorns in a previous life? Was I a Capricorn? Hm…
Like I said, could be total B.S.
Ha! I look forward to discussing this in further detail next week, Julie 🙂
Late comment, but I hope it still helps lol
Awesome post Meredith, as you know lightning doesn’t strike the same place twice. I especially love your positive conclusion and coupled with the fact that Capricorns are able to whether all storms of life, you’d be fine.
Thank you Joey. Late comments, especially positive ones, are always welcome 🙂
Glad you found it positive and I hope all’s a okay now 🙂