Life as a Writer...did you know?

Over the past few months I have had the pleasure of meeting many authors. Some, like myself, have just entered the crazy literary world having published a first book, while others have more than a hundred books to their credit.

I’ve said this before, but humour me, I thought writing the book was my contribution to this endeavour. (This is where most authors can be found literally rolling on the floor laughing).

My book came out a little over 6 months ago, but it wasn’t until December that I really started to understand and get involved in the marketing of my novel. I take marketing webinars when I can, join book/literary/author groups, ask questions, share frustrations, and learn as I go…(I am always happy to share what I’ve learned. If I can help someone avoid wasted efforts, then good).

Last week I was reading about 50 authors, their routines and income around their passion. I would think I'm on the right path, but I know now that it's not an easy road to travel.

Here’s some of what I’ve learned:

-Don’t quit your day job, not until you’re income from writing is sufficient enough to support you.

-Learn how to use your computer, you will be spending hours on it every day…no, not writing, but marketing, answering emails, preparing blog posts, and answering interview questions about the strangest things…Most writers do this every day, easily up to 20 hours a week (and this is besides the writing we are thought to do. Wait! We have jobs, families, responsibilities…)

-Authors have to buy their own books. Just because we wrote the book doesn’t give us free access to the book…so if an author gives you a book, chances are they’ve had to purchase it. Relish it.

-Those who publish with a traditional publishing company can benefit from a cash advance, most wisely used to market the book. (If it’s a huge amount, you might want to look into a publicist.) Chances are, regardless of HOW or with WHOM you have published…YOU have to market the book.

-Learn all you can learn about marketing. As great as your book might be, no one will be banging on your door to buy one if they don’t even know it exists.

-If you’ve always wanted to write a book, but just never had the time, start. Things won’t get any better once you publish, so roll up your sleeves and get on with it.

-Writing a book takes time and money. The money might be to have the book critiqued, edited, published or marketed. It can be to support you while you write…but somewhere along the way, you’ll need to invest in your writing. (At least until you’ve become the next household name).

-Rejection is part of writing, don’t take it personally.

Louis L’Amour, author of over 100 western novels had received over 300 rejections before publishing his first book

John Creasy, author of 564 mystery novels had received 743 rejections before publishing his first book

Ray Bradbury, author of over 100 science fiction novels and stories had received around 800 rejections before selling his first story

The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter had been rejected so universally the author decided to self-publish the book

If you get feedback (from rejections, reviews, critiques), learn from it. Don’t hesitate to talk to other authors about it. Never give up. If you need to find a sympathetic ear, try another author…they know what you’re going through.

-Be proud of yourself, you have accomplished something great.

Publishing Your Book

If you’re like me, the last thing you want after having spent all that time writing, revising and editing your manuscript, is to have to wait to hold your book in your hands. When I was looking at my publishing options, I sent out letters to agents and publishers (A&P’s) and then I waited for a response. I didn’t sit back and do nothing while I waited. I read, researched and continued to work on my pitch.

As I researched A&P’s I couldn’t believe that some asked me to give them up to six months to answer my query. Some of these asked to be exclusive, now my thoughts on that were this: If I send it and have to wait six months for a NO, then I’ve wasted six months. So, I skipped over those A&P’s.

I was even more surprised (and disillusioned) when I found out that once my manuscript was accepted, it took an average of 12-18 months before the book was in print. (I’ve even seen 24 months).

OK, so worse case scenario 30 months…and that is if I didn’t get continuously rejected.

There had to be another way.

I looked at self-publishing and assisted-publishing options. After having read some self-published books, I decided to stay away from that format because of the way some of the books turned out. I turned to assisted-publishing. I had been having regular conversations with a rep from the time my manuscript was finished (first draft) up until I was ready to submit it. (I had had my manuscript professionally edited, checked every line and paragraph to make sure it was properly formatted).

I was offered an amazing selection of publishing packages, from ‘just print my book’ to the complete package including editing, reviews, marketing packages, a publicist, book signings, etc.…well, you get the idea. Yes, the more you took, the more it cost, but I quickly learned that even with a traditional publishing deal, the author had a lot of work to do in the way of marketing the finished product.

I did not have an endless budget, so I went the less elaborate route, choosing a reasonable package and adding a few extras. I was offered assistance throughout the process and there was always someone available to answer my questions. I purchased my package on Aug 8^th, submitted my manuscript on the 17^th, and on Aug 31^st the title went ‘live’. Somehow the author copy took its sweet time getting to me, and so some of my friends who had purchased copies through Amazon, Chapters and a Finnish bookstore, received their copies before I did.

I was surprised and thrilled to find my book popping up in online bookstores all around the world. I’ve counted over 100! I am still in contact with the marketing department and continue to review my options for promoting my book. So even now, months after my book has been released, there’s someone there, offering assistance.

There’s one more thing, in choosing my publishing format, I own the rights to my book.

My book is offered in either paperback or e-book format and I am satisfied with what I got. For the record, I chose iUniverse, and I plan on using them again in the future.