21 Things You Don’t Know About Publishing (And Should)
1. It’s not about who you know. I mean, it is, but it isn’t. Knowing people helps, but not as much as most people imagine it does. The book is the most important part.
2. Writing is a business like many other business. But it’s also an art. You have to negotiate both sides to be successful.
3. Talent is a lot less important than most people assume. We’re not making widgets, but also, we don’t sit around naked, drinking alcohol and waiting for the muse to strike.
4. Being an asshole hurts more than most people think. See #3. Talent isn’t enough to make up for it. Trust me on this.
5. Writing a successful series (or having a “brand”) is important for success, but no one’s going to invest in other books until you get the first one perfect.
6. Editing is a negotiation, not a declaration. That is, you shouldn’t assume that the editor has the last word. But you should also not assume that the editor is an idiot and your creative vision trumps all.
7. Agents may be able to get you more money, but it doesn’t mean they’re useless if they don’t. Agents who are assholes may get things in the short term, but are not necessarily useful in the long term.
8. Finding the right publisher/editor really matters. Success isn’t just throwing money at marketing, even if it looks like it is.
9. Editors fall in love with books and this makes a huge difference in the way that those books are treated in-house.
10. Earning out matters, but not as much as you might think.
11. No one knows what books are going to be huge successes. No one. Of course, they make their best guesses and that’s why they’re in those jobs. But it’s also about good books. Editors don’t get paid enough to hate their jobs day I and day out.
12. You’re not going to get rich writing books. Yeah, there are always stories about authors who made it rich, but even those stories are mostly promotion to sell more of those authors’ books.
13. Being an author isn’t glamorous. Yes, there is some schmoozing at cocktail parties. There’s also plenty of writing in your pajamas.
14. It’s great to read books about writing, but like in many things, you can’t learn everything you need to know from books.
15. If you want to write a movie script, write a movie script. Don’t write a book because you want it to be turned into a movie. It’s extremely unlikely your book will ever be made into a movie. Also, don’t get too excited just because someone buys an option. Only one percent (or less) of options turn into a movie.
16. You’re not a celebrity as an author. I know that the Castle TV show makes it look like you’re one, but you’re not. You won’t be friends with the mayor. You won’t have an open bar at your book launch. Trust me. You won’t. And if your book does get made into a movie, no one will care you are the author. At all.
17. Wear a pair of comfortable shoes when you are doing conferences/book tour/BEA. This is the most important thing. Yes, you think you want to look good, but you’re not going to look very good when you fall down in exhaustion and agony.
18. Don’t go to an agent’s office. Even if you’re in New York and you just want to drop by. Unless you are a client, then call ahead. Agents aren’t going to look more carefully at your manuscript because you personally dropped it off. I don’t know what your business is that makes you think so, but it’s not true in publishing. It just makes you seem crazy and more likely your manuscript gets thrown in the trash.
19. The idea that you’re going to self-publish your book first and then get a big NY publishing deal is so rare it qualifies as a myth. If you want a publishing deal, get an agent first.
20. Amazon is not your best friend as an author. Indies are your best friend. Always, always treat bookstore employees well if you have a chance to meet them.
21. When you do book signings, most of the time there will be fewer than 10 people there to speak to you. Do not notice this. Do not even pretend to notice it. Never, ever remark on it to any publicist or bookseller. And most of all, do not act like it is their fault, even if it is.
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