π¦ A Most Unreliable Narrator π Issue #216 It's another manic Saturday
Also this week: Zelda, #VirtualJaneCon, and AFSP Fundraiser
Dear Internet,
Itβs Saturday afternoon and Iβve been busy today! I taught a class this morning for authors on getting their books into libraries, created a full-page color ad for NGI, which was sent to the conference organizer for the RWA conference Iβm attending in a few weeks for their print brochure. Then I started working on the on-demand class I created, "Digital Hygiene for Everyone: Cybersecurity Basics" for Udemy and SavvyAuthors. The class should be available in a few weeks.
This is the ad I created in 45 minutes this morning:
The ad is a full-page ad (2550 x 3300) and in color. (Also, there is nothing on the QR code page yet, which is on my to-do list to do in the next two weeks!)
It was created so quickly because I bought the ad in May and then forgot about it. The conference is in three weeks, and it dawned on me the other day that I had not submitted the ad, nor had I heard from RWA about said ad! I emailed the conference organizer on Friday and whipped up the ad this morning. Not too shabby for 45 minutes of work!
I also have an ad in the brochure for Killer Nashville (a writerβs conference that specializes in mystery and thrillers), which is happening in August. The ad is 1/4 page ad (4β x 5.25β). Itβs got the same feel as the RWA ad, but in black and white with mystery/thriller puns.
My advertising budget is $0, so please be kind on the design!
Iβve been working with a business consultant on NGIβs purpose, so my shift on who my customer base is has changed. Iβm also going to create packages rather than a flat hourly rate, as this gives the customer a better grasp of my services. If youβre interested in keeping up NGI on NGIβs newsletter (every other week on Tuesdays).
#VirtualJaneCon
The other thing I need to do this weekend, which will more than likely happen on Sunday, is record my presentation, βMerchandising Jane: The 21st C Consumerism of Jane Austen,β for #VirtualJaneCon which happens in three weeks (July 19-20). The con is free and on YouTube. The organizers want the videos ready by July 1, so we have time to make tweaks if necessary before the con goes live. On my release day (July 20th), the video goes public, and I hang out for an hour to answer questions and all that good jazz. There will also be a moderator. You can see previous Cons here.
The videos range in length from 10 to 45 minutes, which gives me a lot of leeway. I woke up the other day at 5 a.m. with an idea for my presentation, and after completing my morning ablutions, I spent three hours researching and collecting data that morning. Iβm glad that videos vary in length because that takes the pressure off of me on having to fill potential dead air.
If you note the dates of #VirtualJaneCon are the same dates as RWA, you would be correct! RWAβs conference ends Saturday night, and my #VirtualJaneCon presentation is scheduled for 8 a.m. EDT on Sunday morning, so it works out perfectly, especially since I produced the video earlier in the month. Hotel check-out is 11 a.m. so I have plenty of time that morning. Pray to your gods that this remains true!
Confession
Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom was released in Spring 2024. I put a pre-order in because duh, Zelda.
In the year of our lord, June 2025, I just booted up my Switch for the first time in nearly two years and downloaded the game.
Animal Crossing was my jam for many years but I havenβt logged into it in over two years. Frankly, Iβm scared, as the characters become super bitchy and passive-aggressive if you don't log in for a while.
I used a Swiffer to wipe the dust off the console.
With Switch 2 now out (sorta) at a price point of $500 (what the ever living fuck), I need to take every advantage of my Switch!
Three or four years ago, when I was working in corporate America, I re-purchased my Switch games in a digital format, except for Animal Crossing, and sold the physical games on eBay. Iβm now glad I did this, as if I do get a Switch 2 in the future, I wonβt lose my games.
AND ALSO! They are porting over GameCube games to Switch 2!
Speaking of Nintendo, my brother found my N64 a few years ago, and not only did it still work, but the saved games on my Zelda carts were still there. Someone told me you can get a RGB to HDMI convertor if I want to play my N64 on a modern TV.
Technology!
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Fundraiser
Iβm fundraising for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention for a walk on September 14. As most of you know, a very beloved person in my life, the selfish bastard Brendan McAdams, killed himself on January 10, 2025. He would have been 46 this year.
My goal is to raise $1000 USD. I've got $700 more to go. Go to AFSPβs website to donate. I'll be posting an announcement in every issue of my newsletters and regularly on my social media until the day of the walk. If you can donate even $5 or share this link (https://bit.ly/AFSPWalk2025), you will be an amazing human being.
Thank you.
May the deku nuts not hit you on the head,
lisa x