I’ve survived a few shutdowns, and I’ll admit to being nervous about my job and paying bills. I prayed, took a breath, and decided to spend less time worrying and more time moving. If you’re on furlough or simply facing uncertainty, here’s a practical plan to use this time to promote your book, grow your audience, and bring in income.

First, steady yourself (mindset + basics)

Stock up on essentials. – Groceries and a simple budget reduce anxiety so you can focus on creative work.

Pick a calm daily rhythm. – 1–2 promo tasks before noon, one creative block in the afternoon, 30–60 minutes of learning in the evening.

Give yourself grace. – Short, consistent actions beat marathon sessions.

Personal care that still helps your promo

Exercise / fresh air – clearer head = better writing and friendlier marketing.

Binge watch—on purpose – note tropes, hooks, and lines that resonate; turn them into angles for your book.

Read from your TBR – Study comps; jot where your book fits differently or better.

Quick wins you can do (60–90 minutes)

Write 3 promo assets –  a fresh 150-word blurb, 10 short social hooks, and one “why I wrote this book” paragraph.

Create/refresh your offer – a 3-day “Furlough Read” discount, a signed-copy bundle, or a book-club kit add-on.

Update profiles – Author website Home/About, Amazon Author Central, Goodreads, and BookBub bios + photos.

Schedule your next week: 5 social posts, 2 Stories/Reels/Shorts, and 1 email to your list.

Set up your email signature – with a clear CTA.

I hope you find these suggestions helpful during your furlough.  Please stop by this week. I will continue to share more promotion tips while on furlough.

Want a deeper, step-by-step system?

My book Building Online Relationships – One Reader At A Time walks you through organic book promotion—exactly what you need during a shutdown. Start here: http://bit.ly/BORLCH

What are your promotion plans during the furlough?

Join My Community and download 25 Things You Can Do While On Furlough

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