September Theme: The more things change, the more they stay the same.
By Stephanie Blake
Because I'm a relative newbie and am just now going through my first experiences in publishing, I have some advice about surviving the highs and lows.
1. Mostly, you need to get an agent. And not just any old agent, either. You need to research and submit carefully. Get honest feedback from other writers. Search the Internet for information. Get a referral if you can.
2. No response means no. Deal with it. It's taking longer for editors and agents to respond. Have patience. This also goes for waiting for edits, cover art, release dates, etc. Write while you wait.
3. Editors are searching for the Next Big Thing (and they'll know it when they see it). Don't write to trends. Tell the story you want to tell. Don't throw in a vampire or a pirate, just because.
4. Blog if you want to, not because you feel you have to. Same goes for tweeting.
5. Get an author website. Even if it is only a page long. Go Daddy is cheap and easy.
6. Read. Read. Read. Read some more.
7. Be open to technology.
8. Pass it along. Talk about books you have enjoyed. Even a short tweet celebrating a book birthday is good karma. Don't say something spiteful about an author, a book, an editor, or the process. It will get around. And bite you later.
9. Be kind to newbies.
10. Stay on top of industry news. Publishers Marketplace, Publisher's Weekly, The Horn Book, Twitter, and Verla Kay's Blue Board are all good places to go for news.
Because I'm a relative newbie and am just now going through my first experiences in publishing, I have some advice about surviving the highs and lows.
1. Mostly, you need to get an agent. And not just any old agent, either. You need to research and submit carefully. Get honest feedback from other writers. Search the Internet for information. Get a referral if you can.
2. No response means no. Deal with it. It's taking longer for editors and agents to respond. Have patience. This also goes for waiting for edits, cover art, release dates, etc. Write while you wait.
3. Editors are searching for the Next Big Thing (and they'll know it when they see it). Don't write to trends. Tell the story you want to tell. Don't throw in a vampire or a pirate, just because.
4. Blog if you want to, not because you feel you have to. Same goes for tweeting.
5. Get an author website. Even if it is only a page long. Go Daddy is cheap and easy.
6. Read. Read. Read. Read some more.
7. Be open to technology.
8. Pass it along. Talk about books you have enjoyed. Even a short tweet celebrating a book birthday is good karma. Don't say something spiteful about an author, a book, an editor, or the process. It will get around. And bite you later.
9. Be kind to newbies.
10. Stay on top of industry news. Publishers Marketplace, Publisher's Weekly, The Horn Book, Twitter, and Verla Kay's Blue Board are all good places to go for news.
Some great tips Stephanie! Especially number 3 - so true. And 2 - it took me ages to realise that all the time I was spending waiting for replies I could actually be writing something new!
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