Celebrating One Year of 50 Fifties
Embers ~ December 2024
Hi everyone,
I don’t usually post on Thursdays, but I wanted to share a fun milestone with you. Exactly one year ago, I published my first book: 50 Fifties: A Justin Deming Literary Project.
50 Fifties is a collection of my short fiction. The book contains fifty of my personal favorite fifty-word stories I’ve written over the years.
The book came into existence because I reached a point in life where I wanted to hold my own book. I was tired of half-finished manuscripts, stories collecting dust, and not following through with projects I’d started.
50 Fifties was something I needed to bring into the world. So, I conducted some research and began my self-publishing journey.
Ultimately, did it make me rich? No.
Did I sell thousands of copies? Nope. (Ha!)
Did I quit my day job? Negative.
But I feel rich in other ways. I feel connected to those in my life even more now. I’m sharing my love of writing with my children, and I sometimes catch my daughter saying she wants to “write like Daddy.” We write together. I’ve created friendships here in my town and with others who live across the country (or halfway around the world). And, call me crazy, but I’m a hell of a lot more grateful to be a middle-school teacher than ever before.
Why, you might ask?
I’m still trying to figure it out myself, but I have an idea or two.
This past year, I pushed myself way outside my comfort zone. Publishing the book was the first step, but announcing its release on social media almost brought on a panic attack. In the months that followed, I chatted with other writers on their podcasts and even mustered up the courage to approach two of my local bookstores to see if they’d sell the book.
The first store said no, but the second said yes.
Publishing this book—and taking these additional steps along the way—gave me the confidence I didn’t know I needed. In my heart, I now know that being a writer is an important part of who I am and what I do.
This renewed sense of self, confidence, and belonging has impacted me in nearly every facet of my life.
I discovered that when you take risks, you’re going to fall flat on your face sometimes. But each time you try, it gets easier to stand back up. It also becomes more of a routine to push through nerves or an unsettling situation. Muscle memory.
However, on occasion, when putting yourself out there, you’re going to connect with another human being who cares or shares a similar passion. And this means everything.
These small ripples may not bring me money or fame, but damn it, I’ll tell you what. . . they bring me joy. They bring me peace.
The connections I’ve made through the creation of 50 Fifties have inspired me to keep going. I want to continue to hone my craft, write stories, and find ways to share them with whoever wants to read them. And, who knows—maybe 2025 will be the year I publish my second book.
Maybe.
For now, if you are shopping for books this holiday season, I hope you’ll consider 50 Fifties. It’s a small book, and on the shorter side, but it could make a great stocking stuffer for a fiction lover. It’s available for purchase on Amazon, and I can also ship to anyone who lives in the United States. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to send me a message.
Thank you for reading and considering!
And a very special thank you to anyone who has already picked up a copy, left a review, or reached out to me about the book. You have no idea how much your support means to me.
Wishing you all the best,
- Justin
Below are several reviews of 50 Fifties:
Hi Justin!
Just yesterday I talked to a friend who is preparing to publish her first book. Like yours, it’s a collection of 100 word fictions she’s written over the last year.
She’s in that exciting spot where she’s learning the skills between “I’ve got these stories…” and “How do I turn them into a book?”
I pulled 50 Fifties from my shelf and shared photos of it with her. Inspiration?
So often our work and effort touches others in ways we’ll never know.
I’m so happy to be able to share this with you!
Congrats - few people realize how difficult it is to push through and complete what you did. the struggle, the inner fight, the persistence. Keep up the good work.