BOOK REPORT: What Sandra Learned This Summer

Okay, so summer isn't the vacation it used to be, is it? I'm still in denial about that. When my kid gets out of school in June, I'm still of the mindset that life should be should be all about popsicles, flip flops (I did not call them thongs, you'll note), searching for the perfect swimming hole, and lazing around in the hammock. Not only for him, but for me, too!

However, I think I work harder during the summer just to keep up than I do during the rest of the year. It's okay though. I love fall, too. Though the ubiquitous roar of leaf blowers (grrr... get a rake, people!) has replaced the more pleasant ka-chink wop-wop-wop of sprinklers, it's good to be back at work and thinking through what I learned this summer.

This summer I met editors and authors at conferences in Philadelphia, Oregon, Denver (twice), and Seattle. And I learned a lot. I think, though, I can distill my most important summer lesson into a quick three point report. Hopefully I'll get a good grade.

AUTHOR BE READY, BE WILLING, BE ABLE

Be Ready

If there ever really was one, the age of selling book ideas is practically over. Even well published authors are now having to work harder to get commitments from publishers than ever before. Considering this, if you have a semi-completed novel and are a first-time author, my advice to you is to not bother working on marketing it until it is complete, edited, and polished to a high gloss. Spend your energy doing the hardest thing first - finishing it! I talked with several authors over the summer who had great ideas for novels, but I can't sell ideas. Certainly not for first timers, and unfortunately, it's getting difficult to do for well established authors also.

The thing is, publishers (and therefore acquisition editors) are looking for a sure thing. Whether it's fiction or nonfiction, if they don't know you, nothing feels sure to them. If they have heard of you and you are represented by a well-known, reputable agent, it can help. BUT, the first question out of every editor's mouth these days is "What is the author's sales history?" The second question? "Is it finished?"

Be Willing

I'm working with a published novelist whose third book sold over 20,000 copies in the general market in the first six months. But when her agent went part-time, her editor left on maternity leave and decided not to come back, she and her book were more or less orphaned. When we started talking about a year ago, we decided it was best to keep her options open regarding her next project and try marketing it in both CBA and the general market. She reworked the proposal some, and I got to work pitching it, and her.

With her track record, writing experience, and work ethic, I thought it would be a slam dunk to find this author a new home. The proposed (finished) novel received lots of interesting feedback, but no commitments. After about six months of trying, we decided it was time to take a new approach. A year and at least six full-length synopses and dozens of sample chapters later, we have just received a commitment from a publisher. Given the current state of things in publishing, she may be looking at the smallest advance of her career, but this author understands the importance of keeping in the game for the long haul and she's willing to do what it takes to begin building her career again.

During the time we were looking for the right publisher to help her relaunch, she worked hard to respond to the suggestions and recommendations of several editors and was open to discussing other possibilities. Never once did she complain that she was too good (though I thought so), too busy (which I know she was), or too important to do what it took to get published. I don't like that I had to ask her to jump through so many hoops to get her here, but that is the reality and what it took in her case. The good news is that I'm certain her hard work and willingness will pay off.

Be Able

I see bad writing all the time. Given all the books, websites, conferences, lectures, and generous authors who lead critique groups and spend their time mentoring junior authors, there is simply no excuse for it.

After seeing lists and lists of workshops and classes offered at conferences, meeting successful authors who also freelance edit, hearing story after story of authors who spent years honing their craft before getting published, it's clear to me that while it may be more difficult for some than for others, writing is something which can be learned, practiced, honed, and constantly improved. I'll admit that the ability to write well is an innate talent for some. But, it is still hard work for every author. Some may say it comes naturally, or that not writing is not an option for them. But I don't think I've ever heard or read an author say "writing is easy". If so, I'd wonder who they were plagiarizing.

Being ready takes time. Being willing takes sacrifice. Being able requires resources. Becoming ready, willing, and able demands all three.

Perhaps now is a good time to head back to school in one area or another? Good news is, flip flops are optional.

Comments

[Lynn Rush]

Great post. Thank you.

[Jenny B. Jones]

Great advice, Sandra!

And the transition to using the word flip-flop vs. thong is tough. I was in a western shoe store with my mother last year. She started laughing from some distance away, and I looked over in her direction. "My thong just fell off!" she yelled. Every cowboy in the joint had to take a peek.
They were quite disappointed.

[Rachel Hauck]

Great post and advice Sandra! Great things to remember for published and unpublished authors!

[Jennifer King]

Thank you for sharing with us, Sandra!

This is refreshing to hear--to be able to better understand the state of the publishing industry right now, and the level of commitment needed to work well.

And to the end of summer and flip-flops ... I've already stashed mine away until next vacation. My toes already can't wait.

JK

[Stephanie Shott]

Although it sounds somewhat ominous for newbies like me to even think about getting published, your post reminds us all that it's doable.

Thanks for sharing your advice and encouraging those of us who are new to the world of writing and publishing.

My first book is contracted to come out next year, but I have so much to learn. I sincerely value the wisdom so willingly doled out from those who have been there and done that to those of us who haven't got a clue.

[Janice Thompson]

Thanks Sandra. I'm especially impressed with your tenacity to keep that author's name front and center with the editors. I know she appreciates your time/effort on her behalf. One of the things we authors love most about our agents is their ability to stick with us, even through seasons of redefining. That's what relationship is all about!

[Sharon A Lavy]

Thank you for sharing. Agent blogs like this help writers more than you can realize.

[Donna Frank]

Thank you for offering us hope; it seems to be in short supply recently in some of the publishing/agent blogs I follow. I like that your posts focus on what we can do as authors, instead of just reiterating the desperate state of the publishing world.

Being ready, willing and able are things that writers can prepare for, letting us feel like we have at least some control in the seemingly uncontrollable land of 'unpublished author'.

Thanks for your post. It came at a good time :)

[Pam Hogeweide]

I agree with all the comments above and would add that these fascinating times of transition we all find ourselves in require tenacity and imagination. The future of writing is so fluid right now, like a burst dam flooding everything since the invention of the printing press.

I also appreciate vets of the publishing industry providing valuable insights with blogs like this. Thanks for all the effort put into it!

[Brandt Dodson]

Now, Sandra, as a Podiatrist I must point out the fallacy that flip-flops are optional. Then again - they do keep me in business.

[Sandra Bishop]

Good to know my optimism isn't going to waste. Thanks for the comments.

The "state of publishing" may seem desperate lately, but I think what's happening is that publishers are just being forced to reinvent themselves so they can stay stay relevant. Which makes this the perfect time for authors to do the same thing, doesn't it?

[twitter.com/Writers_Cafe]

When someone hears the word 'writer' they often think of 'easy money.' All one has to do is sit down, put pen to paper, and - wa-la - instant money, and lots of it. Nothing could be further from the truth. Writing is hard work, from start to finish, and there is no guarantee that you'll be the next Steven King or Danielle Steele. In fact, the odds are more and more against it. It's nice to see an agent who tells it like it is, rather than sugar-coating it. If what was said here scares you, find another career! Thanks for the straight-shooting - we need to be reminded that we do indeed WORK for a living. Leave the romanticizing to the dreamers.
Have a great day!

[Carla Stewart]

Ahem . . . I'm of the "thong" generation, as in those flimsy plastic things we bought at the dime store that rubbed blisters between our toes. I've come around, though, and that's what I hear you saying, Sandra. We've got to be current and relevant, willing to stick it out. Thanks for another great post!

[Jill Kemerer]

"Be ready. Be willing. Be able."

Sticking those words on my post-it board. Great advice. It's encouraging to hear your open-mindedness and tenacity in getting editors interested in your clients' projects. Thanks for sharing this.

[david w. fry]

Sandra,

Thank you for distilling your book report into the "to be" attitudes. Active perseverance seems the common theme here.

You're the second person in a month I've heard who's alluded to the notion of shelving the marketing until the fine product is in hand. That's a message I think bears repeating for us neophytes.

After all, one cannot effectively market a 'non-product'. Well, we might try - but we're not going to get any traction.

Thanks for reminding us of the need to be relevant to the industry.