Your best advice for a debut author?

[TrevorD]

Hey, sorry if this has already been beaten to death on here. But times a changin' in the industry! Those of you who have gone through the process, can you say a few words about things you wish you'd known, things you wish you'd focused on earlier, things you learned after having gone through it, things that helped you, things that were a waste of time, advice you got that helped, etc.??

Participation earns you a virtual high five!

 

[Louanne Learning]

Be outlandish. Believe in yourself. You have something worth saying. Yeah, yeah, learn the grammar rules. Have respect for the language. But f*ck the inner critic. Spill on to the page as if there is no speed limit. Go as deep as you dare. We all like a dare.

 

[Pik]

I'm more of a freelance writer than a published author. In terms of getting published, I had more luck in getting my reviews (and similar texts) out there than any of my plays or screenplays (that I often feel need more rewriting and mostly seem out of control to me, like the stories have their own intentions and at the same time reveal too much about me). I'm more comfortable staying away from the spotlight but it can probably suck to forever stay unrecognized among many successful writers and they'll eventually kick me out of those social/professional circles if they haven't already. I'll probably try to get some of my screenplays read in the next few years.

 

[Stuart Dren]

I haven't gone through the process. But sometimes I'm observant, like a star-nosed mole with a monocle.

Self publishing:

They hustle constantly. I reckon the successful ones almost spend as much time marketing as they do writing. Not only online. They go to in-person events, do cross-promotions, send out review copies, start writing advice or book review Youtube channels, or do weird things on Instagram and Twitter. They change and re-release books they're not happy with. It's so all-in that it really is like starting a business, and like with any business expect it to take several years of constant effort to see any profit.

Traditional publishing:

A lot of people don't know that the incantation circle has to be drawn with non-iodized salt. Goat's blood is okay for the rune itself, but it has to be a virgin goat. Always up-left-left-right-down with the brushwork. NEVER start with the down stroke, and make sure it's facing true north, not magnetic north. The newt's eye is a complete fabrication; it's just left as an instruction to make the process seem out of reach to those 'not in the know.'

 

[CatrionaGrace]

You mean a debut writer as in someone whose first novel is appearing in print, or a debut writer who is just starting to put stories on paper?

 

[TrevorD]

You mean a debut writer as in someone whose first novel is appearing in print, or a debut writer who is just starting to put stories on paper?

I'll take anything you got. If it could help at any stage, let us know.

 

[CatrionaGrace]

My main contribution can be summed up as "Ask questions when you need answers." Had I actually talked to my agent and publisher instead of being politely reticent for fear of bothering someone, the first six months after publication wouldn't have been so anxiety-ridden.

My debut novel was trade published. The number of human hours and amount of money invested in producing and advertising a single novel is staggering. I worried that the book wouldn't even pay out the advance, much less make money for the publisher who'd taken such a risk. Four or five months after publication, I hesitantly asked the communications director if she knew how Book I was doing. She told me it was the publishing company's third best selling historical novel, then said, "Hasn't anyone talked to you about this?" Well, no, but I hadn't asked because I thought someone would tell me what I needed to know.

Contribution#2: be prepared to talk to groups of people. If the idea gives you butterflies in the tummy, start practicing now in order to conquer your fear. Share in writers group, Bible study, or AA. Take a publc speaking course at the local community college. Ask willing acquaintances to listen to short practice presentations after explaining you don't want feedback on the presentation, just the experience of standing in front of an audience. Seriously: speaking in public is part of the deal, so deal with it.

Contribution #3: learn to say no. You don't have to speak to every Rotary Club or retirees group that asks you. You don't have to speak pro bono at writers conferences that charge big bucks to attend. You don't have to give everyone who asks a free copy of your book. You don't have to give your agent's name to anyone. You don't have to read someone's manuscript. Say no politely, but say it firmly. My fallback phrase is, "I'm sorry, but I can't do that." If someone presses to know why I can't accommodate their request, I say, "It's simply not possible,"and change the subject.

Huh. I'm thinking I should turn this into a topic for a writers convention presentation. See how the whole process can mess with your head?