Try, Try, Try…and Try Again.
By Brooke Moss
Thanks for having me here on Chick Lit Plus, I’m thrilled to be here!
Ever since I sold my debut novel, The What If Guy, to Entangled Publishing, I’ve been asked at least a dozen times for advice on how to break into the publishing world. And as much as I’d like to be able to share my amazing words of wisdom, and to map out the way to publication for all of the aspiring writers out there, I have to admit something:
I’m still as clueless as I ever was.
Well, maybe not quite as clueless as I was. After all, I was pretty clueless. But do I have all of the answers? No way, man. Not at all. Every day I move forward in this new career of mine, I learn more. I’ve learned about the editing process, and how grueling and painful it can be. I’ve learned about doing publicity for your books, and how time consuming that process is. I’ve learned about timelines and deadlines, and how important it is to learn the dying art of patience.
Since selling my book, I’ve been the student, so to speak. But I do have some sound advice for all of the aspiring writers out there. And this advice comes straight from the mouth of an author who was aspiring just a few short months ago. Follow these steps, and it may be your debut hitting the shelves next:
1.) Write a book. Don’t query it before it’s done. Sure, it’s tempting to do so, but it’s simply not a good idea. Because you never know how long your editing process might take, and if an agent or editor expresses interest in it, you’d hate to make them wait six months before it’s in the right shape to send. DON’T query a book that’s not finished. As the great Cherry Adair says, “Finish the damn book!”
2.) Once that book is finished, start editing. Now, this may take a while, and a few separate sets of eyes to look at it, but don’t get discouraged. Editing is a normal part of getting your book in the proper shape for querying. Take it from me, editing isn’t fun. Personally, I loathe it. But it is a necessary evil. So keep your chin up, and do it.
3.) Edit it again. I know, you were so happy when you thought you were done. You danced and celebrated and breathed a sigh of relief, because the worst was over…but no. The work is not done.
4.) Edit it again. Okay, okay, don’t stop reading…I promise that I know what I am talking about. Give your manuscript to a friend, and hand them a red pen. Ask them to mark anything that doesn’t read smoothly, or is confusing. When you get the manuscript back, go through it with new eyes, and fix fix fix.
5.) Write a query letter, and repeat steps three and four. That query letter is an agent or editor’s first impression of you. Make it short, sweet, and undeniably you.
6.) Make a list of agents and editors that you would love to work with. Never query an agent that you haven’t researched. You don’t want to wind up working with an agent that you don’t mesh well with, or have an unforeseen clash of personalities. Plus, what good does it do to query an agent or editor that only works with contemporaries, when you write paranormal, or vice versa? Do your research, and query the right options for you.
7.) Send the queries. And follow their guidelines! If they say no attachments, by gosh, they mean it. Don’t include a picture of yourself in a bikini, or send the first fifty pages of your manuscript, just because you think they’ll give it a chance out of pity. Not following their guidelines is a one way road into the slush pile.
8.) When you get rejected, and believe me, you will, don’t get down on yourself. This is part of the process, no matter how very much it sucks. And believe me, it sucks. Sometimes I even cried. The point is: Just keep sending out the queries. Thank each person who rejects you for pushing you even closer to the person who will offer you a contract.
9.) If you’ve been rejected more times than you can stand and you feel like you’re on the verge of a mental breakdown (which is totally normal) then table the book. Put it in a drawer and promise yourself to revisit it in six months. A year. A decade. Whatever feels right.
10.) Start a new book. I know, I know, now you’re rolling your eyes saying, Why the hell would I do that, when I’ve already written such a good book!? Believe me, I’ve been there. Here’s the deal: A writer who writes ONE great book is like shutting one’s self into a tiny room with no windows or doors. No room to expand. Write another book. Keep making up new worlds. Keep creating new characters. You never know when you’ll be given the chance to revisit that old book, but why limit yourself? Write another damn book.
11.) Edit the new book.
12.) Repeat steps one through nine. If that book doesn’t sell, repeat step ten.
Here is my point in a nutshell: Never give up. If you can’t sell one book, write another. Fine tune your skills. Go to conferences. Listen to lectures. Try new styles, perspectives, methods, etc. Never consider yourself to be at your best; otherwise you’ll never reach your best. Perfect your craft. The What If Guy was the fifth book I wrote. After I was offered a contract for it, my editor read on my website about a trilogy I’d written a few years ago, and asked to read it. This particular trilogy was rejected over forty times.
No, I’m not kidding.
The books you’ve tabled aren’t being forgotten. But never allow yourself to be so tethered to an old project that you’ve stagnated yourself. Keep trying. Try, try, try, try, try…and try again. That’s the best advice this debut author can offer to aspiring writers. Good luck to each and every one of you.
The What If Guy is available through Entangled Publishing, and I am thrilled to be sharing it with the world. It tells the tale of single mom, Autumn Cole, who is returning to the miniscule farming town of her youth, to reluctantly reclaim her role as daughter of the town drunk. Things become even more complicated when she realizes that her son’s history teacher is Henry, the college sweetheart she dumped, but never stopped loving. Be sure to grab a copy of The What If Guy, and then tell me what you think!
Find The What If Guy at Amazon, B&N, Books On Board, and at your local bookseller. A special thanks goes to Entangled Publishing for their amazing prizes and giveaways. Thanks guys!
Find me on the web at Website, Blog, Twitter, Goodreads, and Facebook.
Fondly,
Brooke Moss
August 10, 2011
