Get ready for a magical ride with "Mamacadabra" by Carrie Monroe O'Keefe virtual blog tour sponsored by Bewitching Book Tours, This book is a memoir on motherhood that unfolds the spellbinding chaos of marriage, step-motherhood, and the daily juggle of a full-time job. In her third year of wedded adventure, Carrie injects a daring "what if" into the mix, navigating life with humor, raw honesty, and a touch of sarcasm. As she reveals the highs and lows of modern motherhood,
Today, Carrie is set to share her insights on getting published and building a successful blog in a guest post. Brace yourselves for laughter, vulnerability, and a sprinkle of magic as "Mamacadabra" casts its spell on your heart. Also, find my review of the book below along with an excerpt.
How I Got Published and Created a Successful Blog
By Carrie Monroe O'Keefe
I started blogging in 2012 about my experiences navigating the world of step motherhood. At the time, I felt lost and like I was probably doing a terrible job at parenting, wifing, working full-time, and likely any other single thing I was trying to do. I'd tried to find books to help me understand this tricky world of blended families but wasn't able to find anything that resonated with me. Not sure where else to turn, as I knew no other stepparents at the time, I decided to just start writing myself.
In the beginning, I didn't tell anyone I'd started a blog because, yikes! I didn't need even more added to my plate in the form of criticism and mean feedback. I just wrote, every everyday, and nobody knew. I finally told some friends, and after two months, I started publicizing it. The craziest thing happened - I started getting not only feedback but incredibly positive feedback. It became clear that my writing didn't only attract readers who were in similar familial situations but anyone with kids, or partners, and trying to juggle all of the things. I received comments from friends and strangers after almost every post was published.
I continued writing my blog for a few years and loved it. Through my writing and connecting with readers, I realized that I actually did kind of know what I was doing. I learned to trust my gut and my inner voice. My confidence grew and I was able to parent and be a partner with less fear and hesitation. The writing was life-altering, for me.
In the later 2010s, we were struggling mightily in our blended family situation and it became harder and harder for me to live that during the day and then write about it at night. I decided to switch gears and write fiction. I wrote a middle-grade novel and sent it to a very long list of agents. The feedback I received was good, great in fact, but there were no takers. Eventually, I decided to self-publish that book through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
I always knew I wanted to get my story of navigating step motherhood out into the world. I'd been thinking about it, and talking about it, for years and years. It took many iterations until I finally realized I'd written much of what I wanted to say in my original blog. I went back to those pieces and spent a very long time re-reading, organizing, and editing it into what made the most sense for a book. I worked with a book coach - for me this is important. I am great with a deadline. I am not great without one. She and I began working on Mamacadabra in the spring of 2023 with the hope of publishing in the fall.
Because my self-publish experience was positive, I decided to release this book myself as well. I worked with a book designer and they also designed my cover. I had a good idea of what I wanted the cover to be and the person with whom I worked knocked it out of the park. Once the months of editing, organizing, and cutting was over, I was so excited to get this book out into the world.
It is so easy to think that we are alone in our struggles. Having the ability to see that we aren't, that there are others out there who have had similar experiences, is such a relief. My hope is that people will read Mamacadabra and, in some of the stories, see themselves and feel a connection. I know that's all I was looking for when I started my journey as a stepmom.
Thank you, Carrie, for this exciting story of your success. Be sure to get the book by clicking on the links below. Now onto my review....
My Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Picture this: you, me, and a cup of coffee, spilling the beans on the enchanting chaos of motherhood. "Mamacadabra" by Carrie Monroe O'Keefe is like that cozy chat with your best friend, but instead, you're in the company of a witty author who knows how to sprinkle humor, sarcasm, and raw honesty into the bubbling cauldron of everyday life.
It's the "Sex and the City" of motherhood, with Carrie Bradshaw herself nodding in approval. Carrie Monroe O'Keefe takes you on a ride through marriage, step-motherhood, and the 9-to-5 hustle, all seasoned with a daring "what if" attitude. Reading this memoir is like catching up with a friend over brunch, sharing stories, and realizing you're not alone in the trials and tribulations of being a modern mom. It's a roller coaster, it's a magic show, and most importantly, it's a damn good time.
"Mamacadabra" is the easy read you didn't know you needed—a delightful blend of laughter, relatability, and a touch of magic that leaves you wanting more.
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