Category: Projects/Work

A Pre-Announcement of Sorts (Journal Giveaway)

Published on by Christine Gabriélle2 Comments

You know how I like telling you exciting things? Well, I’ve got some news!

Side note: does anyone else feel the need to tell people when they’ve injured themselves because they think they need the “awws” and “I hope you feel betters” or is it just me? Like, I injured my finger last night (ripped my nail off almost halfway down the nail bed while changing bedsheets) and I feel like it won’t heal properly unless I tell people about it and they give me their sincerest faux pity. I even sent my brother a video and told him I had a “boo boo.” I’m laughing at myself, here. I have very low tolerance for pain and injury and this whole thing is mildly ridiculous.

ANYWAY!

That’s not even what I came here to tell you (see previous comment about injuries only healing when people know about them).

I wanted you to be the first to know that I have unofficially published my journal set! They are technically purchasable on Amazon right now, but I’m waiting on the bannerless author copies to arrive so I can take pretty pictures to post with the official announcement (and on the new NINE & TWO Press website).

Wait! Did I even tell you NINE & TWO Press has a new website? Oh Gosh, I’m slacking here! I’m sorry, my people, so sorry.

I have such big dreams for NINE & TWO Press, you know. And while right now it’s still just my self-publishing “publisher” name, I want it to grow into something much bigger—something that can’t be contained within my personal website. So, I created a new landing page at www.ninentwopress.com where I will have links to everything I self-publish.

In the future, I hope to be able to publish other people’s essays and short stories on the website as well as have a fully functioning online store where you can purchase books, journals, and all sorts of other stationery related things directly from me.

These are big dreams for the future, not anything I’m seeking to create this year. However, I wanted to establish my intention by putting this small piece into place. I hope you like it!

Now, back to what I was saying…

Along with the official journal announcement—which will come later this month—I will be doing a giveaway to celebrate. The winner of the giveaway will receive:

*1 journal of your choice (Daily Reflection Journal or Long-form Journal)
*An exclusive Book 2 Preview booklet with two short stories from my next book (unedited first drafts)
*A couple of extra goodies to make it even more special

The official announcement and giveaway rules will be posted on Instagram in the coming weeks, however, because you are subscribed to my blog and I love you for being here, you can enter early without Instagram.

All you have to do to enter the giveaway is comment on this post (you can do that by replying to this email, if you are reading from the post notification email) and tell me how journaling has been beneficial in your life.

That’s it.

Blog subscribers will automatically be granted two entries—that’s how much I appreciate you being here. The early entry period for blog subscribers ends Friday, March 17th, 2023 at 5:00pm EST.

I guess I had more things to tell you than I initially thought. Thanks for hanging out with me, and I look forward to reading your entries!

♥

Thick, Sexy Journals!

Published on by Christine GabriélleLeave a comment

I’ve been sitting on this for almost a week. Not hiding it, just a little unsure what to do with it. If you follow my IG account, you’ve already seen them.

I got my journal proofs and I love them!

I want to make these available soon, but I’m weighing the options on how to go about it. Also, if I’m really going to do “the journal thing,” I want to see if there’s a better manufacturing option. If not, I’ll stick with KDP to print them for as long as they allow “low content books.”

Thanks to get rich quick low content book “hacks” on these social sites, there are some angry people with very strong opinions about using KDP to print journals. A lot of platforms don’t allow it at all anymore.

My previous experience peeking into the journal manufacturing world led me to cheaply made 80-page journals or highly custom journals that cost $30 each to produce and required minimum orders of no less than 250. The barrier to entry seemed so far out of my grasp.

With KDP, I’ve been able to create nice thick hardcover journals in a much more accessible way. These are not your average low content books.

There’s still some planning to do on my end before I can feel confident putting these out. In the meantime, here are some pictures:

I’d love to know what you think about using KDP to print journals, alternative manufacturing options, and overcoming barriers to entry to create good products.

Until next time…

🖤

December Writing Cave Wrap Up

Published on by Christine GabriélleLeave a comment

So, we’re at the end of the first week of January and I still haven’t the nerve to log back on socials.

This writing cave month was very much needed even though I didn’t get as much writing done as I thought I would. There was quite a bit of reflection, clearing energetic space, making room for things to be moved out of or into my life. It’s been mildly cleansing and a lot reassuring.

There’s been validation of my intuition, confirmation that my desires, intentions, and moves are in the direction of God and the life I am creating for myself, and a consistent practice of regaining trust in myself through all of it. My therapist would be proud of me.

What I did get done during December in terms of writing:

1 Short story completed
2 Journal designs completed, and proof copies ordered
1 Short story started and stuck on

My goal is to have 5 of my short stories done by the end of February. Positive vibes, well wishes, and aligned prayers are welcome!

There have been some business document mishaps this week that I’m still working to correct, but I’m chalking it up to the new business owner learning curve. However, they have thrown a wrench in my writing plan for today. There’s always next week, though.

And since next week is not today, I’m not going to think too much about it.

I’m learning to practice mindful presence. We’ll see how that goes. I hope your 2023 has started well.

♥