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| Me in a submarine...no reason. |
It’s the holy grail of writing. Seeing your book in print is every author’s dream. Elusive for so long, what I learned about getting published once it happened came as a surprise. Here a few things I’d like to share with you.
· It takes a long time. Not kidding. A long time. I used to think that signing with an agent meant publication was just around the corner. Not so much. It may take a year or more to find a home for your manuscript and then the real waiting begins.
· The editorial process isn’t as painful as I’d feared. I used to hear horror stories about evil editors with blood-red pens slashing the life out of stories. This couldn’t be further from the truth. They want you to succeed. They want to help you make your book better, tighter, more compelling. Let them.
· Your proposal informs a lot of what marketing says about your book. This was my biggest surprise. The blurbs and taglines you create all get used both by your agent and the publisher for your media kit. From back cover text to book trailer snippets, your words help to sell your novel, so make sure your proposal is amazing.
· You have to learn marketing. No matter the size of the publisher from big box to small imprint, you need to educate yourself. How to give great interviews. How to deal with bookstore owners. How to connect with readers. These are all important skills, and you have to teach them to yourself.
· It’s not the finish line. One book release does not a career make. You have to keep producing for your agent and the publisher. Get on a schedule. Write your ideas down and find the time to keep writing.
Publication is only as wonderful as your outlook. It’s not about numbers or validation. It’s about achieving a dream and sharing your love of storytelling. I’ve learned to keep in mind why I started this crazy journey in the first place.
It’s the love of creating worlds and characters, a passion to tell a riveting tale, and my need to write no matter what.
(Post originally appeared on Purple Knot blog tour.)