For years, Reg Forder, at his ACW writers conferences, liked to ask his faculty panel, “What is one thing you wish you had known before you became a writer?” Since I joined the publishing side of things after being a bookseller and later became a literary agent, I have given the question some thought.
Coming from retail, the hardest thing to grasp was how long it takes to get from a book idea to seeing it in print from a major publisher. Two years or more is not unusual.
As a retailer, we saw our customers’ instantaneous gratification when they bought the book. Depending on our inventory, within minutes a customer’s needs were met or not met.
As an editorial director, it was a challenge juggling the 50 new books a year for which my department was responsible. Coordinating acquisition, editorial, production, marketing, and sales can get complicated, especially when overseeing multiple projects simultaneously. I might have acquired and contracted a book, but then it had to be written. Then there were marketing meetings to discuss plans; editorial meetings to discuss workflow; and production meetings to make sure design, editorial, typesetting, etc., were all on track. (The “ease” of indie publishing for the writer seems to circumvent much of that, but shortcuts are not always the best routes to take.)
As an agent, the preparation time with the author to get the proposal right can take a lot of time. (I will occasionally push back on clients, challenging them to raise the stakes in the book they are writing. The input is appreciated, but it takes time to fix things.) Then we send out the proposal to the publishers and wait. Some respond rather quickly (I’ve received rejections within minutes); and other times, it can take forever (the record is 22 months before a publisher said yes). The norm is 3-5 months before knowing whether or not there is interest in a project. Then after securing the right publishing partner, there are contract negotiations, a review of contractual paperwork (sometimes taking 2-3 months to complete the discussions), and any number of things that can make the process seem endless.
I guess you could say my answer to today’s question is, “Knowing how long the publishing process takes.”
And the lesson learned from it? Patience.
What about you? What is the one thing you wish you had known before you entered this adventure of writing and publishing?
Fun Fridays – July 5, 2024
I really wish that I had known
just how fast the good days pass,
for now so many flowers blown
are seen only through looking glass,
the ghost of smiles upon my face,
the shade of laughter now departed
to leave caress, lingering trace
on me, bereft and broken-hearted,
beating back against the flood
(or such the great Fitzgerald said),
knowing that if I but could,
I’d raise again the lovely dead
and appreciate the joy they’d bring,
my back turned on the brassy ring.
Just last year, I learned the concept of “failing forward.” That is, learning as we go, each failure is a step closer to the goal. I look back on my many mistakes, rejections and do-overs and see how far I’ve come. I’ve been failing forward for years and didn’t know it.
My first book was released June 24: a graduate social work textbook traditionally published by Springer, the world’s largest textbook publisher. I’m pleased, of course, but I long to publish my fiction. I wish I had known how much the publishing industry was going to change and I had begun submitting proposals for my novels and YA fiction before a platform of thousands of followers was routinely required to acquire an agent or a publisher.
I wish that I had known that even in Christian publishing it’s more about making much of self and gathering followers than making much of Jesus and pointing others to Him.
I don’t yet have an “I wish I had known.” Why?
Because if I had known the time, money, effort, and tears involved, I would never have walked this path with my Lord. He hid it from me, knowing I was not yet ready to handle the knowledge physically, emotionally, or spiritually.
We serve a good Master, a loving Father, and a gracious Savior.
Love this. So true.
I wish I had gone to a writers conference. I THINK I know how to write but need evaluation and feedback.
In my youth, I definitely thought having a single book published guaranteed fame, riches, and complete life fulfillment. 39 books later, my feet are firmly set in an entirely different reality.
I challenge writers to save money before their book sees the light of day. Writers need money for book promotion and marketing and even to support a “platform.” Gathering domain names, creating websites, graphics subscriptions, and even a blue check mark on X will cost you some cash. Readers like to connect with authors, so an author has to be a cheerleader for promoting their story.
All the advice on here is great. I agree with all the wisdom shared. Always remember to pray while you are writing, and for your Christian Fiction to touch as many people as possible. One lady at my church discovered Jesus through reading a CF novel.
I love this wisdom, Barbara. I have two books being shopped to find publishing homes. Your counsel is sound. I know an author who spent her $20k advance all in marketing her book. That seems like A LOT to me, but your thoughts on how to connect with readers resonates. While I don’t have a spare $20k laying around, I can take this time to set money aside for when the times comes for my book to see the daylight. 🙂
I also pray for my future readers. My heart is to see people who may not attend church out of hurt or other reasons come to faith in Christ or at the least explore their faith through my work. Thank you for sharing that encouraging testimony of a lady in your church.
You’re very welcome, Dawn. I always think of my sister in Christ when I am writing. I pray many more people come to know Jesus through reading Christian stories.
I love the writing process–mostly–but I wish I had known more about the marketing process. Not my cup of tea, but I want to sell books, so . . .
That word count for debut novels is important.
I did not know the financial investment ratio to the financial gain was so skewed to breaking even with a lot of work and luck. So much for a bit of retirement income. But, I consider it an investment in future publication and sales and if even one soul turns toward the light and faith in God because of my writing, than I shall consider it gain.
I wish I’d known a lot more about the non-writing side. My trad publisher for my first book taught me none of that. Period. I was expected to figure it out on my own.
I second the emotions of all who commented about the marketing side of writing. I thought books just got sold when they were published.
Also, I thought I knew how to write a novel because my grammar, spelling, and sentence structure were just about perfect. Oh, my. I didn’t know what I didn’t know.
One thing I wish I had known was the information I know now before I started publishing my books.
Lovely post, thanks and God bless.