 | 6 Jun 06 |
I have a tween-aged and a teen-aged daughter, so one of the comments I hear out of their mouths, most often, is “that’s not fair!” And you know what? Most of the time, they are right. Life is NOT fair. My stock answer is, “get used to it.”
Like the rest of life, the publishing industry is not fair. There is no measure or meter to what happens. More often than not, when I ask a question of someone or ask advice, the answer is, “Well, there’s no guarantee.” And there isn’t.
You write the manuscript, and there’s no guarantee it’s good, or that you know what you are doing.
If, by chance, it is good, or at least good enough an agent or editor will pay attention to it, there’s no guarantee it will get approval from a publisher or someone higher up from the editor.
If, by chance, they do approve it, and you manage to sell it, there’s no guarantee you will have a decent print run. Or that publicity will push your book. Or that you will get good reviews. Or a million other things.
In short, this business is not fair. And one of the biggest “not fair” divides comes between traditionally published and alternative or “unpubbed authors. Never mind the fact that at one point every author was unpublished. Once you “cross over,” in the eyes of many who have not yet succeeded in a New York sale, you become “the enemy.”
Suddenly, everything you say is suspect. Every time you try to give advice, it is taken as “advice from the enemy.” People who were once friends are suddenly unable to get past the idea that you are writing “for the other side.” It sounds so dramatic it’s almost silly, and yet it’s true.
They forget that you were once there, too, and when you remind them they BELIEVE that you have forgotten the same fact. The truth is, the journey from unpublished to alternative published to New York published is one you can never forget.
I have nothing but respect for those still trying to sell to New York. I remember how it feels, and I am here to share that when you DO sell, it’s a great feeling, too. The angst does not go away after that, of course. It only increases, as does the pressure. But that is something that you have to experience first hand.
And if you have the drive, desire, talent, and of course, a certain amount of luck, you can make it. But of course, there are no guarantees…..
© 2006 – 2009, Natalie R. Collins. All rights reserved.
Natalie R. Collins was born in Logan, Utah and attended the University of Utah. She worked for eleven years at The Salt Lake Tribune, Utah's largest daily newspaper, before leaving to devote more time to her family. During the ensuing years, she wrote five novels. She also worked for the 2001 and 2002 Sundance Film Festivals as an editor. Natalie is a member of the International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, and Romance Writers of America.
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GREAT post, Natalie. (And I can soooooo related to the “that’s not fair!” comments that seem to come out of my girls’ mouths every other phrase.)
by Allison June 6th, 2006 at 10:23 amThanks for the insight Natalie. It’s nice to hear that the ‘New York published’ still remember what it was like for us struggling to be standing right next to you in the published world.
by Tami June 6th, 2006 at 10:45 amAmen, Natalie! It’s an odd thing that happens, isn’t it? And the thing is, so many of my unpubbed friends have tremendous talent. I KNOW they are going to be published and successful. But every now and again I come across someone made bitter by rejection. I have news–rejection doesn’t end once we are published, but now, we’re supposed to be a profession and let it roll off us.
by Jen June 6th, 2006 at 10:55 amGood post, Nat. lol, growing up my father had a saying. “There are no free lunches.” It’s true.
by Karin June 6th, 2006 at 10:59 amI was just having this talk with a fellow author the other day. I never could have or would have imagined how difficult and almost cutthroat the literary industry is. I have ran across very talented writers who have had the worst time because either their publishing company hasn’t given them enough publicity or their publishing company has spent way more money on authors of less caliber.
by Patricia Pickett (Greeneyedrican) June 6th, 2006 at 11:53 amI self published my first book (of poetry) and recently was picked to be included in a short story anthology with an already best selling author, but I know that the whole experience is going to be more difficult then I’d ever imagined. I guess all I can do is hope for the best and try my hardest. Either way it goes, I am just gonna continue writing for the love of writing.
Interesting post..thanks for sharing.
Amen, Sista! You said it all and write on.
I am amazed (constantly) by those who haven’t been published yet with great books written and more still inside them. I feel for them and fear they will give up. I am boggled by some who get published as I sit back and wonder how on God’s green earth did that happen? Then I marvel at the bonds of friendship because the person raving about the book has to be a friend.
I am amazed at the great books written that I learn about through word of mouth, that didn’t get the promotional support of their houses… additionally amazed at some of those who did get that same support.
It seems to me a crap shoot – right place/right time business. I am thankful for the great authors who don’t give up, whom I will revel in reading.
by Cele June 6th, 2006 at 1:15 pmIt’s amazing to me. So far I haven’t had this problem come up yet, but that’s probably because my first book is coming out this fall, so I’m published, but not yet, you know?
Last night, a friend in my crit group actually said I inspired him, because he’d known me for years and had seen the evolution of my writing over time. Somehow, my getting published encouraged him to get his own work finished and reworked and all so he can start submitting it again.
I felt stunned, but still pleased that I’d somehow inspired him. A strange sensation, to say the least.
by Candice Gilmer June 6th, 2006 at 6:02 pmAllison, boy those kids and their “it’s not fair.” They drive ya nuts. Thanks for the kind words on my post.
Tami, I don’t think that I’ll ever forget that time. I spent six years trying to make it, and am fully aware ALL the time that it wouldn’t take much to knock me back down.
Jen, I have always said that once you get to “that level,” the New York level, then it’s a matter of hitting the right editor, on the right day, with the right project. It does not help to ever tie yourself to one thing, especially if you’ve been told repeatedly, “It won’t sell,” or “I cannot sell this.”
Karin, I agree. No free lunches. And if they DO come free, look for the catch…
Patricia, if you write for the live of writing, you have the right outlook. You MUST keep writing, and keep improving, and keep trying.
Cele, I’m with you. I hope they don’t give up, because I know how hard it is, and how disheartening it can be. And I really think it takes some people longer than others. Whether it’s your fifth manuscript, or your fifteenth, you can’t stop writing and you can’t give up. That’s the REAL measure of whether or not you are cut out for New York. If you give up too easily, this business will eat you alive.
by Natalie R. Collins June 6th, 2006 at 6:11 pmCandice,
It usually doesn’t present itself immediately. It takes time. But you will get it. That said, there are SO many writers that are truly happy when someone else makes it and they are willing to keep on keeping on until it’s their time….
by Natalie R. Collins June 6th, 2006 at 6:13 pmI believe in the Wear Blinders approach, because it’s not a race. It’s you walking your own path to wherever you want to go.
And if you can’t do that, I think maybe you should either quit writing, or stop talking to other writers.
Getting published can be like reacting molecules (according to collision theory). One molecule has to hit another molecule with a certain amount of energy at the right angle for it to react. IOW, the writer has to write something good enough and connect with the right editor/agent to get published.
by May June 6th, 2006 at 11:35 pmGreat post, Nat!
by J. Carson Black June 7th, 2006 at 4:38 amMy post went off before I could finish it.
One thing for unpublished writers with lots of potential to remember: it’s no bed of roses when you finally do get published. Not that you should feel sorry for us, or anything.
If you think of it as a journey, as May says above, being published is only one part of that. A desired part, yes, but it doesn’t change the fact that it’s you and your computer, your imagination, your love (and sometimes hate) of what you do.
It’s the writing. Sure, you want to share it, but even when you’re published, it’s all relative. You could have a small hardcover with a print run of as few as 1000 books. The publisher could (and usually does) throw you against the wall like spaghetti to see if you stick. You’re hanging your face out there for anyone to slap.
Of course there are great things, too. Getting a great cover, a great review, recognition from peers—but you want to earn that. It’s an accomplishment to be published, but it’s also a burden. All of a sudden there are deadlines. All of a sudden, there isn’t enough time. Enjoy the luxury you have now, to write a book the best you can, to learn your craft and enjoy yourself doing it, because when you’re published it’s only going to get harder.
I’ve always had this saying. Life sucks, and then you get published!
by J. Carson Black June 7th, 2006 at 4:44 amI meant to say: life sucks…and *then* you get published!
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