I managed to get back online properly on Monday. After months of internet drama, being on and then off again, I now have a reliable connection. Interestingly, the guy who installed the system told me that mine would be the last installation in this town for the moment, so I’m beyond grateful to be reliably back in the online world.
Last night our President announced that we would go into lockdown at midnight on Thursday. Hopefully this will save a whole lot of lives that would have been lost without a quarantine in place here. South Africans are a tactile bunch. As with the rest of the world, fear is abounding, and with the already devastating poverty here, many, many people are only now getting over the freezing in terror moments and thinking of ways to help each other. It is truly wonderful to see petty differences dissolve in this crisis and compassion taking over.
I hope to start loading new Youtube how to videos up again very soon for authors wanting tips on the nuts and bolts of publishing their books, but I’m still open for business for anyone wanting editing, formatting, covers, maps, or children’s illustrations to be done for them. I’m also planning on slipping in a few general chat videos on writing and reading.
I have had a couple of emails from clients wondering what I think will happen in the world of Indie publishing now, and I must say that I have absolutely no clue. It is too early to tell where this pandemic will end. One thing is for sure, during these quarantines, and even beyond as the world counts its losses and people figure out the way forward for themselves as individuals, as nations, and for the planet itself, the world needs both fiction and non-fiction. For escape, for inspiration, for hope, and for instruction. Now is also the time for journaling. A time to record this disaster for future generations. I have a feeling that even if there is a slight lull in sales of books (apart from the prepping guides) once people truly understand the true fallout from this pandemic, after that I believe that there will be a huge demand for quality eBooks, so all I can say is, don’t stop writing. And stay safe.
By the way, most of my books are selling for 99 cents on Kindle Countdown deals at the moment, and the shorts are free, so if you haven’t already read them and need something to do head over to Amazon.
I haven’t done my first run in these conditions yet – not looking forward to it, but my birdies need the things they’re used to. At least it got me panicked enough to sort our my internet once and for all, so I am very happy about that. XXXXX
To keep things in perspective, COVID-19 has not killed as many people, since the 4 months that it has escaped into the world, as traffic accidents and heart attacks combined. The difference is that we don’t have a counter showing real-time deaths and cases of people with heart attacks or survivors of traffic accidents.
We are in nature’s reality show, where everything, including the steps in our home, have the potential to kill us. And yet we often run down the steps to our car, go through fast food drive-thru’s to get a meal that can cause a heart problem, and think nothing of it.
“It is truly wonderful to see petty differences dissolve in this crisis and compassion taking over.” I have seen this in previous crises, but less so in this one. The people whom I am close to take it seriously, and are generous, but I am overwhelmed by the number of people who claim that it’s a hoax or not here. As long as they refuse to wear masks and keep their distance, I’m staying home. I’d like to see “people figure out the way forward”, but I see too many who are clinging to what is behind us.
March 24, 2020 at 1:59 pm
Stay safe, Jo!
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March 24, 2020 at 2:08 pm
And you Olga! How are things in your area?
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March 24, 2020 at 2:34 pm
Stay healthy and safe!
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March 24, 2020 at 2:48 pm
Thanks Charles – and you! Are you also in lockdown?
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March 24, 2020 at 2:50 pm
Kind of. Only allowed to go out for essentials. Not everyone is listening though. Got a big hoarding issue in the area.
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March 24, 2020 at 2:51 pm
Looks like that’s happening here too. Last night people were waiting outside for the stores to open for hours. Did your stores run out?
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March 24, 2020 at 3:02 pm
Most did, but a few are managing to restock fast. Though they run out quick and I think some of the early birds are the same hoarders every day.
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March 24, 2020 at 3:05 pm
Hope they run out of money soon. It’s not fair on people who can’t afford to hoard.
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March 24, 2020 at 4:22 pm
In some areas, it’s the rich doing it. They won’t run out of funds any time soon.
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March 24, 2020 at 2:59 pm
Stay safe, Jo (we’re ok) 🦍🤗❤️❤️🤗🦍
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March 24, 2020 at 3:06 pm
Thank goodness Chris! I hope you stockpiled bananas. ❤ XXXX
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March 24, 2020 at 3:09 pm
We always kept a good stock of necessities to hand, so it’s mainly sorties to the shops for fresh foods every three days or so ❤️❤️❤️
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March 24, 2020 at 3:12 pm
I haven’t done my first run in these conditions yet – not looking forward to it, but my birdies need the things they’re used to. At least it got me panicked enough to sort our my internet once and for all, so I am very happy about that. XXXXX
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March 24, 2020 at 3:21 pm
Good Luck with it all, Jo ❤️❤️❤️
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March 24, 2020 at 3:08 pm
Great to hear from you, Jo. I really enjoy your books and blog
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March 24, 2020 at 3:10 pm
Hi Dannie – thank you! Missed you! How are you doing – are you safe?
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March 24, 2020 at 4:20 pm
To keep things in perspective, COVID-19 has not killed as many people, since the 4 months that it has escaped into the world, as traffic accidents and heart attacks combined. The difference is that we don’t have a counter showing real-time deaths and cases of people with heart attacks or survivors of traffic accidents.
We are in nature’s reality show, where everything, including the steps in our home, have the potential to kill us. And yet we often run down the steps to our car, go through fast food drive-thru’s to get a meal that can cause a heart problem, and think nothing of it.
The difference?
Media attention.
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March 24, 2020 at 5:47 pm
Welcome back, Jo. Glad you are up and running. Stay safe.
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March 24, 2020 at 6:23 pm
Good to see you back here, Jo! Wishing you to keep safe during these crazy times we are in. 🙂
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March 25, 2020 at 1:50 am
Hello Jo,
Very glad to hear you are OK. Please do continue to take care.
Best wishes,
Takami
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March 26, 2020 at 4:41 am
Yes, record everything … show who did all they could, and who … did not.
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March 26, 2020 at 7:14 pm
Good to see you again! Stay safe! We live in the woods, so we’re already about as socially distant as we can get without going into outer space.
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March 31, 2020 at 6:03 am
Take care, stay safe!
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April 1, 2020 at 3:00 pm
Congratulations, Jo. It seems things are improving for you. We’re on a 4-week lockdown here in India at present. —- Suzanne
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May 9, 2020 at 4:24 pm
“It is truly wonderful to see petty differences dissolve in this crisis and compassion taking over.” I have seen this in previous crises, but less so in this one. The people whom I am close to take it seriously, and are generous, but I am overwhelmed by the number of people who claim that it’s a hoax or not here. As long as they refuse to wear masks and keep their distance, I’m staying home. I’d like to see “people figure out the way forward”, but I see too many who are clinging to what is behind us.
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May 11, 2020 at 9:21 pm
Lovely post and glad to meet you! Stay safe! Kate
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May 14, 2020 at 10:09 pm
Keep moving Jo. Stay Safe…
Love to read more posts written by you. 🙂
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