Happy New Year to all pre-published and published authors!
by Anne R. Allen
I’ve been looking over some old journals from 25-30 years ago, and it’s amazing how many years I made a New Year’s resolution to become a published author.
And it’s amazing how many years it didn’t happen.
The journals gave me a rush of memories of how it felt to be down at the bottom of the publishing ladder, trapped on the query-go-round, desperately hoping for the smallest bit of encouragement. Sometimes I’d send out ten queries a day. I spent tons of money going to conferences, pitching unpolished books to agents and editors who tried to be kind, but I could see by their faces I was doing something wrong.
What my fledgling writer mind didn’t comprehend was that it takes way, way more time to learn to be a successful writer than anybody tells you.
I found one entry written when I was about to give up writing. I’d had seven rejections in one day — including the return of a full manuscript with no explanation. (I know that happens even more often now, and I wish agents knew how that can throw the most optimistic writer into pit of despair. Give us a nice form rejection. That doesn’t take long and it’s so much kinder than silence.)
What I didn’t realize then, which my present self can see so easily, is — I needed more time before I jumped into the marketplace.
Enjoy NOT being a Published Author
Once you have a book published, you’re likely to be committed to one genre. But when you’re not in a multi-book contract, and you don’t have readers clamoring for the next book in a series, you can explore other genres. Write screenplays. Poetry. You can enjoy writing for the sheer joy of it.
What? The joy of getting daily rejections? Having my friends and family laugh at my “delusions” of being a published author?
Well, yes. It’s the only time in your career when you will have the freedom to just…write.
I know sometimes you think you can’t stand this torture one more day. How long can anybody be expected to live on hope alone? Time’s wingèd chariot hurries near! You’re tired of the rejection, humiliation and frustration!! You’re desperate to —
- Show all those skeptical friends and relations you really do have talent.
- Let your significant other know all those pep talks weren’t wasted.
- Show up at Thanksgiving dinner and tell your brother-in-law who always makes digs about your “career in navel-gazing” to #&%! off.
- Say to all those condescending customers at McChili’s that you may be bussing tables now, but you’re a WRITER dammit.
I know how it feels to be filled with that desperate longing to see your work published. I lived with it for over a decade. And felt the euphoria when I finally got my first book contract — I doubt there’s a drug in the world to match that high.
But it doesn’t last long. Because after you sign, you’re defined by that first book. And you’ve committed a whole lot of your “writing time” to marketing.
But Hasn’t Self-Publishing Changed All That?
It’s true authors don’t always need to go through the heartbreak of the query-go-round anymore, but self-publishing isn’t going to make you a successful author if you don’t know the business.
Self-publishers spend an even larger percentage of their time on marketing.
Recently I got a sad email from a new writer who wanted a review of an overpriced self-published book in a genre I don’t read. They didn’t offer a copy. They asked a perfect stranger to buy their book and review it. (BTW, this blog doesn’t post book reviews.) From the writing sample I saw, this author is not going to build a big audience.
And earlier this year, I saw a perplexed FB post from another new writer who had a bunch of negative reviews on their new self-published book. A click-through to the Amazon buy page showed a “Look Inside” full of errors, typos, and formatting problems. It also had an amateurish cover. On top of this, the author had put out a request for “5-star reviews” on social media, All anybody could tell them was: unpublish, get an editor, and learn about the business.
Here’s the thing — even if your writing is polished — you’re unlikely to get readership unless you know something about the business of getting your work into the marketplace. You don’t ask for reviews without offering review copies and you never demand a certain type of review.
So if you’ve made a New Year’s resolution like those old resolutions of mine, make sure your publishing plan includes educating yourself about the business. That’s true whether you’re planning to go the traditional route or self-publish. The rules are a little different, but both paths require business savvy and insider knowledge.
But I sure do relate to the huge pressure you’re feeling to get this career on the road, NOW:
Why a Newbie Rushes to become a “Published Author”
The external pressure, from:
- Mom, who thinks the fact you’ve written 80,000 words of anything is so amazing she’s already written up the press releases.
- Your significant other, who wants to know when exactly his/her years of sharing you with that manuscript are going to start paying a few bills.
- And those friends who don’t understand how you can spend all that time writing and have nothing to show for it. “How long can it take to write a book anyway? My Grandma can type 55 words a minute!”
- Your critique group and betas, who are so tired of helping you revise that WIP …AGAIN, they’re screaming “Send it! Away! Immediately!”
And the internal pressure, from:
- Your battered self-esteem and those eye-rolls you get every time you tell somebody you’re “pre-published,” and you’re only working at the café until you make it as a writer.
- Artistic insecurity: you won’t REALLY know you have talent unless you’re validated by having a published book.
- Financial insecurity: it’s tough to pay off the loans for the MFA when the only paying writing gig you’ve had since you got the degree is updating the menu for your brother-in-law’s food truck.
- Your muse, who says: “This is pure brilliance. The world totally needs this book!”
So How does an Author Relieve the Pressure?
1) Realize the “Rush” is an Illusion
If you’re feeling pressure to rush, remember it’s all in your head, like my New Year’s resolutions.
Yes, at the beginning of the e-publishing revolution, some of the biggest self-publishing gurus said stuff like “every day your book isn’t published, you’re losing money.” I think the gurus intended to speak to traditionally-published mid-listers who had out-of-print backlists.
Unfortunately, it became a mantra for all the beginning writers with practice novels in their files.
Whatever the reason for the advice, it’s not wise to follow it any more. The “bubble” in which the random amateur’s 99-cent self-pubbed ebook could make the big time has long since deflated.
You’re probably making better money working at McTacos than what most writers make, even if they’re traditionally published, so if you’re writing because you’re pressed for cash, choose another profession. It takes years to build the readership that can provide you with a living wage.
2) Get Lots of Feedback
There are many ways to get free feedback before you get to the editing stage. Most of them didn’t exist when I was starting out. There are now online critique groups and beta reader connection sites. There’s also self-editing software. Use whatever technique works for you, but don’t write in a vacuum.
I have to stifle myself when I see comments from new writers who say they won’t use a beta reader or editor, and they won’t even query an agent because, “I’m not going to change a word of my novel for anybody. I write to please my muse, not follow a bunch of phony rules.”
Then they lament that agents or reviewers won’t “give them a chance.”
These people are deliberately choosing to remain amateurs and not enter the professional marketplace. And there’s nothing wrong with that! As I have blogged before, writing can be a wonderful hobby. Does an amateur golfer not say he’s a “real golfer” because he’s not on the pro tour? Does an amateur skateboarder feel ashamed because he’s not Tony Hawk? There’s nothing wrong with writing for pleasure.
But for goodness’ sake don’t take up the time of agents, acquisitions editors, or reviewers with stuff you’re not willing to work on.
I’m not saying you should change your book after every comment you get from a reviewer or critiquer. Far from it: you should ignore most of it. And even professional editors can fail to “get” every kind of writing. But do be aware that readers have expectations, and if you want to be read, you need to write for the contemporary reader, not just your own ego.
Musicians need to learn to master their instruments. Truckers need to learn to drive big rigs. Golfers need to perfect that swing. Writers need to learn to craft words and sentences into a story. Learning takes time.
3) Practice, Practice, Practice
Easy self-publishing doesn’t mean the learning process has been shortened. Learning to write narrative takes way longer than most people realize. (It took me about a decade longer than I expected.)
Self-publishing guru Kristine Kathryn Rusch once put it this way:
“Do you remember how much work you had to do to learn how to read a novel? It took you years to get to “big” books of more than 20 pages…It’s much easier to read a novel than it is to write one. Why do you think that writing a good one is possible on the very first try? If you want overnight success, this is not the profession for you. If you want a writing career, then learn it… It takes practice, practice, practice, learning, learning, learning, and patience, patience, patience.
And Kristen Lamb often reminds us of Malcom Gladwell’s advice that a person needs to work at something for 10,000 hours to master it..
” …all you indie/self-pub authors who put your first book up for sale and you haven’t sold enough copies to buy tacos? Keep writing. 10,000 hours. 3 books. Traditional authors? Three books. Rare is the exception.”
4) Write and Publish Short Fiction and Creative Essays
Remember you get great practice from writing short stories, essays, and novellas. They are the best way to get yourself noticed now — and they’ll be a goldmine later on. One of the biggest regrets of my career is that I spent so much time working on unpublishable novels instead of short pieces that would be valuable to me now.
Short stories and creative nonfiction pieces are easier to get published and you may even get paid or win a money prize. Which can get all those pressuring voices in your head to shut up.
This can include guest blog posts, which will get your name known and make you Googleable: all-important in the digital age.
5) Learn the Business
We don’t only need to learn to craft book-length narrative, which involves a steep learning curve. We also also need to be savvy about the business we’re trying to enter. These days, being an author means not only knowing how to write, but understanding the business of publishing as it exists now. (As I say above, this can mean different things depending on how you publish, but every business path has rules.)
For all of you who are screaming “No! I just want to write. I’m not going to corrupt my soul with any of that crass commercialism,” scroll up to my link to the post on writing as a hobby.
For years, I was firmly entrenched in the delusion that somebody could “just write” and be a professional author.
I knew you couldn’t run a restaurant and “just cook” or a own a dress shop and “just buy pretty clothes.” But I didn’t want to accept that writing is a business.
So now I’m grateful all my rotten queries got rejected. Even when I got those seven rejections in one day.
This is the simple truth: we have to become professionals before we join an industry. Any industry.
This post isn’t meant to discourage anybody. It’s meant to urge you to learn to be the best writer you can be this year — so you can have that career you’ve always dreamed of. Even if you don’t become a published author right away.
You’ve finished a book! That’s an amazing feat. You owe it to your book to get the publishing part right.
***
by Anne R. Allen (@annerallen) January 1, 2023
What about you, Scriveners? Do you feel pressured to become a published author? Did you self-publish before you were ready? Have you decided to be a happy amateur and leave all those pressures behind? If you’re farther along in your career, what advice do you have for newbies who feel the pressure to publish before they have several books ready to go?
BOOK OF THE WEEK
Parts of this book come from the “practice novel” I queried for years. When I finally landed a publisher (with a different book) my editor finally showed me how to turn a series of vignettes into an actual novel.
THE LADY OF THE LAKEWOOD DINER
A comedy that pokes fun at the myth of a Golden Age, making parallels between the Grail legend and the self-mythologizing of the Baby Boomer Generation.
Someone has shot aging bad-girl rocker Morgan Le Fay and threatens to finish the job. Is it fans of her legendary dead rock-god husband, Merlin? Or is the secret buried in her childhood hometown of Avalon, Maine?
Morgan’s childhood best friend Dodie, the no-nonsense owner of a dilapidated diner, may be the only one who knows the dark secret that can save Morgan’s life. And both women may find that love really is better the second time around. Think Beaches meets Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe.
“A page turning, easily readable, arrestingly honest novel which will keep you laughing at yourself. Who doesn’t remember crashing on a mattress at a friend’s apartment with the stereo blasting Iron Butterfly and no idea where you’ll stay the next night? A cultural masterpiece for the discerning reader.“…Kathleen Keena, author of Adolescent Depression, Outside/In
All Amazons Kobo Barnes & Noble
plus AppleBooks and GooglePlay
***
Featured image: New Year’s postcard, 1920s, Francis Parker
Anne,
What an excellent post to start 2023.
My new year’s resolution for the past 7 years is to become a published author. I had come so closed (from generic rejection letters to personalized ones with invitations to please submit again). And still, nothing.
Nevertheless, I keep writing and submitting. The rejections still hurt, perhaps not as much, but they do. Many people pressure me into self-publishing but I keep refusing.
I will finish my novel and query potential agents. I will keep submitting my short fiction to contests and magazines. I believe in my dream.
Also, one thing I learned from attending writing conferences and fan conventions is that many big name authors like Brandon Sanderson, C. J. Cherryh, and JohnScalzi took 8-10 years before they sold their first work. So there is still hope.
By the way, happy new year 2023 to Ruth and you. Thank you for all you do for us aspiring authors. Keep up the good work. You are a role model and a lighthouse.
Ingmar–Your story sounds a lot like mine. Keep sending out those short stories. A short story led to my first big break, and the same was true of Amazon superstar Catherine Ryan Hyde. Agents and editors do read literary magazines, and they judge short story contests. That can be the path to a publishing contract that can change your life. And you’ll be ready, because you’ve been doing your homework. Best of luck in 2023!
Learning does indeed take time. And you are so right about enjoying the time before one is published. A certain pressure to produce again comes with being published.
Alex–I produced so much good writing before I was published that I’m still mining it 30 years later. And back then, it was sheer fun. I got to play in genres I’d never written in and I wrote poetry and prose poems. Lots of lovely stuff I don’t have time for now. Being “pre-published” is a fun time if you let go of the anxiety.
Happy 2023, Anne & Ruth! Thanks for this post and telling it exactly as it is and yet remain encouraging about it. Rejections – I think most of us have heard Stephen King’s bigger spike story. And sometimes when I’m feeling overly confident in self-pubbing… I’ll send myself a rejection letter.
Garry–The best advice I got from my college career counsellor was that I should take “collecting rejection slips” as a hobby. “You’ll need enough to paper a room before you make it” she told me. I burned them all about 5 years ago. It was quite a bonfire.
This is a wonderful post for all of us authors. I am now self-published because for 9 years I couldn’t find an agent to represent me. However, self-publishing, as you say, is very expensive. I keep on writing and the only advice I have not participated in is writing novellas or short stories. Other than that, I’ve been doing everything else. I have now decided to go back to querying since it’s now been 12 years and I’m not getting anywhere. This is a very, very hard business to break into.
Patricia–I hope you’ll dive into those short stories in 2023. As I told Ingmar, I got my first publishing contract because an editor liked one of my stories in a fly-by-night UK literary magazine. The same thing happened to Catherine Ryan Hyde with Pay it Forward. A new agent was looking in literary magazines for potential clients and she loved one of CRH’s stories. The rest is history. I’m not saying that’s the normal way of doing things, but it happens more often than you think. Also, agents often judge writing contests. You’ve been working hard for a long time and you deserve that big break!
Anne—Thanks for starting a new year with a bracing dose of writing/publishing reality. You are soooo right: everything takes longer (and is harder) than inexperienced writers realize.
I will also add that one of the disorienting aspects of becoming a published writer is that you go from 100% per cent control (as you write your book) to 0% per cent control as your book lands in the callused hands of an overworked/stressed out publisher.
It’s different (maybe) if you’re Tony Hillerman or Louise Penny. But it takes a long time, a lot of work, and lots of luck (seriously—never underestimate the significance of luck) to get there.
Ruth–That is so true! That’s why I’m telling pre-published authors to enjoy this stage of the game. It’s the only time you’ll be in complete control. Once the editors and marketing people take the helm, you’re just a worker bee. Unless you become a superstar.
I recently read a book by a superstar writer from California. They kept referring to highways as “the 61” and “the 95”. Only Californians put “the” in front of a highway number. Other parts of the country say “highway 61” or “route 66.” An editor would have caught that in a newbie, but a superstar doesn’t get edited with that kind of attention.
Great advice, Anne! Publishing that first book is such an achievement, but it needs to be done well.
Happy New Year to you!
Kay–It’s such a great moment in your life when you hold your own book in your hand, isn’t it? I will never forget it. Most of us work for it a long time. Happy New Year to you too!
Enjoy the ride.
Yup. As Ruth says, it’s the only time you’ll be in complete control.
Sadly, I did publish (self) before I was ready and learned things the hard way.
I don’t feel that much self-inflicted pressure any more when it comes to publishing. I’m currently moving at my own speed, so I hope to get something in 2023, especially since I have four total manuscripts ready and the fifth one being created as I speak.
The only real advice I can give to newbies is to practice, practice, practice, open your eyes, open your ears, and practice (sorry, I have visions of Wiley Miller’s wonderful comic panel going through my head), and above else, do not self-publish until you polish your stuff to a high glossy finish and after you spend quality money on an editor.
Did I mention you have to open your ears?
GB–You are not alone. I know so many writers who published that “Practice Novel” before they knew it was just for practice. Yes, we need to listen and learn. And keep learning. 🙂
I will be eternally grateful to my creative writing program as an undergrad: the prof told us to forget about publishing until we had learned our craft. Mastering it would take a good ten years. Those four years were incredibly liberating to me as a young, “prepublished” writer.
Liz–It sounds as if you had some good teachers!
I did! One in particular: Tony Ardizzone.–Liz
Thank you Anne for wonderful encouraging truths. I’m entering my fifth year of writing. I’ve produced a fair share of flash and shorts, and never intended to get myself involved with novels until I’d practiced the craft longer. But that’s not what happened. An idea happened, and then another one, and another one … My first novel is shelved for good. My second—after countless rewrites and edits—will be my debut this year. I’m editing my third book a t m. Being somewhat of a control freak, I’ve decided for indie publishing. I love learning new stuff and I’m actually enjoying the huge learning curve I’m now in. So not in a hurry and not stressing. I’m not in this business for the money, but it’s not a hobby either. Any future extra income will be a bonus. What I dream of is to delight readers. I wish you all the best for 2023.
Charlotte–Congrats on your upcoming debut! Yes, we all have that “Practice Novel”. Sometimes a good editor can fix it, but usually, we can see later on that it probably can’t be salvaged. If you like having control, indie publishing is the way to go. Lots of indies make more money than their trad-pubbed counterparts. It’s all about learning how to reach the right readers.
I haven’t heard the Steven King story. Care to share?
This is King’squote from On Writing “By the time I was fourteen the nail in my wall would no longer support the weight of the rejection slips impaled upon it. I replaced the nail with a spike and went on writing.”
(That was a propos of Garry Rodgers’ comment. And yes, King spells his name with a “ph”.)
🙂
Thank you, Anne. I will have to research “writing a short story” and such. I’ve never written one before!
Patricia–Just put “short story” in the search window on the right of this page. Here’s one from Jodie Renner on how to write a prize-winning short story.
Read your blog is a great way to start a new year, Anne. Having more than one manuscript primed and ready is such a smart move. In fact, this article is full of helpful advice. Thank you for it.
Leanne–Thanks! And Happy New Year!
As always, great advice, Anne! I’m hardly a “new” writer (started over half a century ago, haha!) but I still feel new because I’ve only been traditionally published twice (and both times in Italy, and it was just the work I had written in Italian).
I don’t count as “being published” all the 7 books I self-published some years ago, from 2010 to 2013 (now on Amazon forever!!!). So, still trying – almost 10 years have passed, I can’t believe how the time flies! So it’s good to remember that to give into the feeling of “rush” is absolutely the wrong way to go about it.
Yeah, no rush! And a happy 2023 to you, looking forward to more of your excellent blogs that keep us all going!
Claude–Thanks! Yeah, a lot of books that were self-published in the frenzy of 2010-2013 weren’t the authors’ best possible work. And a whole lot of people in that “indie” club have disappeared from the Internet. The competition got so fierce people weren’t making the money they did in the early days, and readers who had read too many unedited work made it a rule to only read books from trad publishers. That “rush” mentality was everywhere in those days. Now we realize we have to take a lot more time with each book to be competitive in today’s marketplace.
Those early days are so magical. They may not feel like it at the time. After all, we can’t know what we don’t know yet. What no one tells you is, the real pressure comes after you sign a publishing contract. When I received my first contract, I thought, Where’s the fireworks? Where’s the marching band? All I get is an email? That doesn’t seem right. LOL
Sue–It was magical! When I read my old journals, I saw my old self–immersed in creativity and full of possibilities. But what Ruth says in her comment is so true, when you sign a contract, you give up a lot of control. I have to admit I made some fireworks when I dot my first contract. I threw a party with a lot of champagne. 🙂 Then I realized how much work I had to do…
Great advice!
Thanks for stopping by, JG!
Yet again I failed to become a published author but hopefully this year I can get closer to my goal.
I have been so busy with my full time job the last 5 years and also with life in general, I haven’t had time to devote to the research I need to do. But I plan to retire in 3 months and hope I can make progress on one if not more of the three books I want to write. Fingers crossed.
Tony–Congrats on your retirement! Yes, you’ll have a lot more time to work on honing your craft and learning about the business. Best of luck!
Happy new year to you and all your readers. I really liked the article and the Practice, practice, practice bit is “the truth” but I just wished to share an opposing tale to show that even with a publisher not everything is plain sailing. A regular contributor to Sci-fi and Fantasy mags (back when such things sold in droves) and having short Stories included in anthologies by such luminaries as Micheal Moorcock, Larry Niven, and Piers Anthony, with two great novels already written I walked into a publishing deal and had my first novel released a little over a year later. Reviews were good but sales lacklustre . The second novel; similar. It was suggested that I move to “Horror”, which I dutifully did but almost all the people that bought my books were sci-fi and fantasy readers and many did not enjoy horror. Horror fans had no idea who I was. I lost half my fan base very quickly and gained few new readers. My contract was not renewed. I went back to Magazines (where with the coming of the internet sales had dwindled) and so I bought a couple of the mags I once worked for. This made me a publisher and so others would not take me on. Conflict of interest. I now self-publish and can write what I want when I want. I love it.
Raynayday–Oh, yes. What Ruth says in her comment is so true. Signing that contract means giving up control over your writing life. I’ve never had a publisher ask me to change genres, though. That sounds like a seriously bad idea. But it’s hard to argue when they hold all the cards. Other pitfalls are losing your editor, or even the company going out of business, which is what happened with my first publisher. I too went back to freelance writing, which was harder with the demise of so many magazines in the digital age. I didn’t get another publisher for a couple of years. Nobody wanted a “failed” writer, although what failed was the company, not my book.
Many writers do better as indies. But I don’t recommend self-publishing until a writer has several books polished and ready to go, and they know the marketplace.
Excellent info as always Anne. Nothing like starting the year off the right way without illusions. You nailed home all the criteria. Joel Friedlander was a wealth of information to help Indies learn the publishing biz. I learned much of the biz from him. Sadly, we lost him a few years ago, The Book Designer.
Wishing you and Ruth, a beautiful, healthy and prosperous New Year. <3
Debby–The loss of Joel Friedlander was a big one for all of us. I had a chance to meet him and hear him speak at a writers’ conference 5-6 years ago. He was vibrant and healthy. Hard to believe he’s gone. Somebody bought his blog, but I don’t know if they saved his archives. They had a wealth of information. And I miss his monthly “book cover of the month” contests. I learned a heck of a lot about what not to do in cover design.
My New Years Resolution as a writer is to step up my game in the social media world since I’m a boomer whose a late bloomer to writing AND next month my novel is being published with assistance of a hybrid publisher. I’d love to make money on this but the novel has baked into it my 15 years experience as a mall cop along with family history and a nod to my ancestors. Therefore, at the very least, there will be a book to pass down to my kids. When I told one of my sons this, he said “dad we’re gonna remember you whether you write a book or not”. I told him “thanks Brendan but I still like the idea of having a book on the shelf to accompany the Dunn ancestry book that sits on the shelf in our living room.” I enjoyed the blog and I’m looking forward to any and all advice since my other goal is to write a memoir while I’m marketing the novel (2 birds with one stone as the saying goes). Last but not least, thank goodness for social security enabling me to put the petal to the metal on this writing career. Let us hope it continues and do all we can to prevent the sun from settinng on social security. Thank you FDR!
Dunn–Social media has always been a bear for older writers, and it’s about to get much worse, with the slow self-destruction of Twitter. I’m addressing the problem on this blog next Sunday. Yes, I think all “seniors” (juniors, too) can say a big “thank you” to Mr. Roosevelt for social security. And to Mr. Johnson for Medicare and Medicaid. 🙂 Let’s hope we can keep morons from taking it away to line the pockets of billionaires who buy social media companies and destroy them just for the LOLs. Best of luck with your book launch!
I’m so with you Anne. Yes, I know someone took over his blog, I used to get emails but nothing for quite some time. I learned so much about the publishing aspect of our biz from him. And one of my covers was chosen for a gold star once. I was quite saddened at the announcement of his passing. 🙁
Thank you!
Late to the party… again! I know its a little late but wishing you, Anne, and Ruth a happy, productive, healthy and prosperous 2023!
Great post! I’m still in a holding pattern, as it were, as I will not publish without having my work looked over by an editor first, and that’s something I’ve put on the back burner for now. About writing short fiction, that’s one thing I committed myself to last year – not only did I enjoy the challenge but it also went a long way to getting me back into writing mode, and my poor, neglected WiP is getting much-needed attention (and quite the rewrite!).
Joy–Best of luck with the short fiction. I got my “big break” and my first book contract by grabbing an editor’s attention with a short story, and I know many other authors who had similar experiences. By the time that WIP is done, maybe one of your short stories will grab an editor or agent’s attention, too.