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Everybody’s still up in arms about that publishing article, so here are some thoughts on what I’ve learned about the book business after 15 years of being a “professional writer” (thread)
Don’t spend money to bring yourself to library/teacher conferences. If your publisher isn’t bringing you, stay at home. They’re expensive and frankly I think useless unless your publisher is supporting you to go there. They’ll still promote your book. You don’t need to go.
Don’t spend a lot of money on swag. Maybe $100-150 on bookmarks, and get 500 or so. You won’t need more. Don’t buy stickers, tchotchkes, perfumes, buttons, whatever. They don’t convince people to buy your book. (Really)
If you can afford it, hire an accountant who knows how to work with authors’ incomes. These folks are hard to find, it’s true. Ask other authors for references.
Ask your editor: what’s the pub date, what’s the first print run, is it in B&N. They will respond with numbers, which will help you figure out what their expectations for your book are. If you need help understanding the numbers, ask your agent to explain.
The book cover is the Most Important Thing. I’m dead serious. Think about it as the #1 marketing tool for your book and educate yourself on what works for your genre and why. Think of it impersonally, as a marketing tool, not as a personal reflection of your heart.
Express your opinion to your editor and agent about the book cover and the cover copy. Figure out how to express your opinion in a businesslike way so that you’re included in the process. It’s your book; you do know it best.
Don’t pay out of pocket for: book festivals, school visits, writers’ workshops, any event where you have to speak except for bookstore events where they sell your book. Just don’t pay. They need to pay you for your time and your voice.
Accept that you’re not going to get invited to every book festival or school or library, because there are 100bazillion authors out there. Do a GREAT JOB at the events you are invited to so that folks will remember you for the future.
Focus primarily on the craft of your writing. Make every book better and learn from your previous mistakes. Everybody and their mother wants to be a writer; that’s why your job is valued so poorly. You have to be excellent at your craft.
Keep your eyes on your own paper. Practice resisting the temptation to compare yourself with others. Practice focusing on what YOU want from your creative life, because you’re the one living with your decisions.
That’s all I’ve got for now but if anybody has questions, specific or broad, I’m happy to try answering them.
I should add, this comes from my experience traditional young adult publishing. Folks in other genres/categories/indie pub will have different specifics.
There isn’t *zero* support for midlist writers but there isn’t much. Improving your craft is hard and is also subject to external judgement. People don’t agree on what’s good. You have to satisfy yourself or go batshit.
The good thing about being midlist and midcareer is (hopefully) you’ve learned from your early career experiences and can adjust accordingly. I didn’t know 99% of this when I started. You learn along the way — the author of that article has learned too.
Has this thread gotten big enough yet to end with “Please buy my books”? malindalo.com/fiction
If you want to try before you buy, here are some free short stories I wrote: malindalo.com/free-short-sto…
If you want to try before you buy, here are some free short stories I wrote: malindalo.com/free-short-sto…
FYI I’ve muted this thread because it’s gotten overwhelming so I’m not seeing your responses anymore, but if you’re looking for the actual publishing article this thread is about, it’s here: medium.com/page-count/how…
