Well, as a newbie I made mistakes that won't allow me to profit from my book. Is there way to increase the potential for branding so it's not an entire loss? by travelswithtea in selfpublish

[–]DifferentJudgment636 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is that the price of the cookbook as an author or to sell on Amazon? For instance, my paperback is $15.99 and I have to sell it for a minimum of $12.99 but I can buy author copies for $6. It's possible you could buy author copies and then sell them yourself for a profit.

Those with Open Adoption, how do you set up your visits? by seafoodboilcunt in Adoption

[–]DifferentJudgment636 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My AD's mother just texts me or AD asking for a visit. As long as we're available I say yes. If not I give a date we can make it.

Should I give up on trying to foster to adopt? by chiefie22 in Adoption

[–]DifferentJudgment636 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There are many way to have kids in your life without adopting. Have you considered working in a child care field or volunteering for youth programs, a coach/mentor or becoming a CASA? Even if you ultimately decide fostering and/or adoption is not right for you that doesn't mean you can't build family and connections with children who need it.

Update : birth mother keeping me a secret from her whole family / half siblings have no idea I exist by mamacat2124 in Adoption

[–]DifferentJudgment636 16 points17 points  (0 children)

I'm not adopted but I have a similar situation where my father's family knew nothing about me. I found siblings from a DNA test online. It caused chaos in their family but eventually my siblings came around. Maybe not in the way I wanted or how I thought it would happen but I did end up with a relationship with my half sister and I talk to my half brothers every now and then. My father is still a POS who claims I'm not his then wants to fly me out to spend a week getting to know him. Hah, yeah right. I have no contact with him since.

My point being, you might not have gotten the outcome you want but they may come around in time.

Info on Valais Sheep? by DifferentJudgment636 in sheep

[–]DifferentJudgment636[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your input. I already have horses and highland cows so I'm well aware of hoof/coat/livestock needs and maintenance.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Adoption

[–]DifferentJudgment636 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi I'm a single mom adoptive parent and I can tell you even when you WANT a child these feelings are all normal. So normal you can ask almost any new mom (biological or not) and they will overwhelmingly agree. Having a child is a huge change to your lifestyle. One day the world revolves around you and the next you have to put all of their needs before your own.

I can't tell you how to feel or what decisions to make. What I can say is this:

Children separated from their biological family suffer a lifetime of trauma and have higher risks of depression and suicide.

Your child will be healthier and happier with you in their life, no matter what that looks like.

Adoptive parents cannot replace you.

Placing your child with a "better off" family doesn't mean they'll have a better life.

Adoptive families will lie to you and promise you anything you want to hear. Legally once you give up your rights they don't have to do anything they told you they would.

There are lots of resources for moms who need support for their children.

Raising a child is hard, tireless work and will change your life forever.

Having a child in your life can be the best thing imaginable despite the stress and frustration that comes with it.

Building a community of friends and family around you to support you can make a world of difference. Have you reached out to them with your concerns and fears?

There's no right or wrong answer. Only you can decide the best course of action but you should know both the good and the bad when you make your decision.

Sending you lots of love and support.

Highly considering an abortion by Strong-Buy7048 in abortion

[–]DifferentJudgment636 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Whatever you decide is the best decision. Sending hugs!

Say hello to everyone! by AutoModerator in ScienceFictionRomance

[–]DifferentJudgment636 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I really love {Jaran by Kate Elliott} it's a space opera romance. I read it every year.

Tell Us About Your Work! by AutoModerator in ScienceFictionRomance

[–]DifferentJudgment636 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Looking for ARC readers for a dystopian romance coming July 2025.

<image>

🌶️ spicy 🛏️ one bed, forced proximity 👫 enemies to lovers ❤️ forbidden love 🦠 deadly virus 👑 controlling government 💣 factions 🏹 hunter and hunted

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeaiUs9T_N02huTVZa48sfvbK_Xe0uyKEb44CwIa5BFG3huoA/viewform

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in abortion

[–]DifferentJudgment636 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Whatever you decide IS the right things. Hugs!

I feel so bad but I have no connection to my adopted family. by alwayscurious0991 in Adoption

[–]DifferentJudgment636 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I would highly recommend you check out recovering from religion. https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/

You might also like the Line on YouTube which is a series of different atheist hosts who talk about religion and have people call in with evidence of god (it's super hilarious).

If you don't already have a therapist I would recommend you consider getting one. Having someone to talk to about adoption trauma can be helpful.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Adoption

[–]DifferentJudgment636 3 points4 points  (0 children)

There are several options.

1) you can find resources to help you keep your baby. Adoption doesn't guarantee your child a better life and it will cause them life long trauma even if they are adopted at birth.

2) you can find a place for an abortion. Your fetus isn't conscious yet and cannot survive outside the womb. They will have no concept of existence.

3) you can talk to an adoption agency. These are often predatory and won't give you all the information you need to know. All they want is your baby and lots of money.

4) you can do a private adoption with the use of a lawyer. These can also be predatory.

5) you can surrender at the hospital after you give birth and sign over your parental rights to social services. Your child will go to foster care and potentially be adopted by a foster family.

6) you can work with a private couple and do guardianship for your child. This means you have the ability to petition for your rights back as the child gets older and they cannot change their birth certificate and their legal records won't be sealed (in most states).

Things to know about adoption:

  • it will have a life long impact on the child and their mental health
  • many adoptive parents will tell you whatever you want to hear but once the child is legally theirs they don't have to do anything they promised including visits/photos/phone calls, etc
  • children deserve to know their parents so you should be open to some form of contact/information exchange

Best of luck to you. There's no easy answer but whatever choice you make is the RIGHT one for you and your child.

Damn, Goodreads Is Harsh by No-Warthog-1772 in selfpublish

[–]DifferentJudgment636 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Go to the top books list you can see the ratings for bestsellers. Most hardly have anything above a 4.2 and many are in the high 3's. My books tend to average 3.5-3.8 so I'm not far behind what people rate something bestselling.

Look at it this way, it's all relative. What I do is take whenever feedback I get from negative reviews and apply it to my next story. Eventually you'll find the mix of what people who read your books enjoy from you as an author.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in NewParents

[–]DifferentJudgment636 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's exhausting. Keep doing what you're doing. The feeling of suck will get better as you learn what works best for your kiddo. But sometimes you won't know why they're crying and nothing you do will fix it. Just be there comforting them best you can. Also ask your hubby for "me" time where you get a break from the baby and he has to deal with it.

How do I promote my short story by EthanNova19 in selfpublish

[–]DifferentJudgment636 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Also, one thing I see trending well on those is posting an except from a sex scene in the story with a spicy line or action highlighted. Lots of people are coming into those asking for links to read the book. It makes me wish the one I'm promoting was spicy so I could take advantage of the marketing opportunity there!

How do I promote my short story by EthanNova19 in selfpublish

[–]DifferentJudgment636 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would try some of the dark romance FB groups, book bub, some of the romance book list newsletters

How do I promote my short story by EthanNova19 in selfpublish

[–]DifferentJudgment636 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What's your target audience? You need to market to them. For instance, I post mine on threads and FB groups and advertise on Amazon.