Not for the faint of heart…

Posted by Susan in Blood Donors (guest blogs) | 4 comments

Not for the faint of heart…

an author’s journey through publishing
by Sandi Layne

An introduction…

Once upon a time, I was inspired to write. This was not something I had spent my life working toward – on the contrary, I never intended to make writing my life’s occupation! It was something I read about while trying to find a way to work at home and make some extra cash.  The notion that “some of our readers actually try writing their own novels” crossed the page, lodged in my brain and I was…

Intrigued.

After preparation and thought, I woke up at midnight on the morning of December 1, 1997 and started writing my first novel. Longhand.

I wrote six novels in the space of twelve months. I wrote them in isolation from any community of writers.  I wrote them in the face of absolute rejection and piles of discouragement. I wrote them because I had no choice but to write. For me, there is no choice in my life but to communicate via the medium of the written word.

So before we begin, before I delve into the discouragement and loneliness of this vocation, I want you to ask yourself if writing is it for you.  You should not write in the hopes of wealth – the chances are slim to none that you will be the next J.K. Rowling, Stephenie Meyer, Stephen King or Dan Brown.  You should not write in the hopes of fame.  That you will be a name like Dave Barry or John Grisham is highly unlikely.

The only reasons to write are because you feel you truly have something of value to share – your imagination, insights and experiences – and because there is nothing else you can do that will make you happy.

Still with me?  Excellent!  Let’s get to work.

There is a common misplaced belief that anyone can write a book.  It’s not true.  Writing a book is a complex process.  Getting published is more than complex. It is a delicate balance of skill, timing, style, and the elusive quality of literary magnetism.  And, of course, having a potential agent and/or editor who is having a good day.  You have no control over that one!

It’s not entirely about you, you see.  “I’ve read [insert title here].  I can write better than that!  I can, too, get published!”

Maybe. But there are many miles between your belief in your own abilities and seeing your book in print.  Before you begin fantasizing about seeing your name on the cover of a book someone is reading on the beach, at the bookstore, or even for sale at Amazon, you have to actually write. So postpone planning the peripherals – book signing tours or how to sign your autograph – until you’ve actually finished that first novel.

Do your research!

So you have a super idea and you want to write a book about it.  If you want to have your book picked up by an agent and then by a publisher, you need to do some research.

First, check out what is currently on the market. Most of the books you see on the shelves of Barnes and Noble or even at Target were written and picked up by their publishing houses over a year ago. (This applies to commercial fiction. Non-fiction is another matter entirely. It is not a genre I write, therefore I can’t really speak to it.)  Remember this when you think you want to hop on the next Big Fiction Trend.  The books the editors are buying now for their publishing houses won’t be out until next year or maybe the year after so the real “new trend” is still invisible to the general public. Is there, then, a market for what you want to write?

If you establish that there is, there is more research to do!  You need to know whom you are writing for, because you are in competition for their entertainment dollar.  My words are in competition with others’, but also in competition for money.  Will someone be willing to spend their money on my words rather than on the latest, say, Keira Knightley or Paul Walker DVD?  Writing is lonely, so it is important to write in a way that you are intrinsically proud of – but never lose sight that there are unknown people whom you wish to entice with your words.

When you know what you want to write and who will be reading it, I highly recommend researching publishers.  Check this website first: www.writersmarket.com.  Or buy their book or look for the latest edition (they put out a new one every year) in your local library. This is an invaluable resource. Invest in it.  Investigate who publishes the kinds of books you want to write or who publishes books for your target audience. Then, find out more about them. Do they have requirements for publication? Every page printed costs them money, so many publishers do have guidelines as to what they will consider for publication. Word count is usually one of the first things an agent or editor will want to know, just for starters.  Don’t expect to tell an agent you are querying how many pages your manuscript is; tell them the word count.  That is what will matter.  Industry professionals can tell you that a 55,000-word manuscript will translate into, say, a 170-page mass-market paperback.  They’ll be able to tell you how much it will cost to print that and what their cover price will be.  Will your manuscript entice readers to spend that much money?

Money, money, money! Yes, this is a business and it’s something you have to be aware of as a creative person.  Being a novelist sounds romantic maybe, but managing as a working writer is a very pragmatic lifestyle.  It’s not for the faint of heart. Or the “faint of art.”

Next time:  “Okay, I wrote my novel and it’s amazing. Now what?”