Are you finished learning when you get published?
Photo by valerianasolaris
With each book I write, I hone my craft. I learn new insights into the process, too. And I have to be vigilant about my pet problems. I believe getting published isn't a reason to get cocky. We should always be learning, always be challenging ourselves to produce the best possible book. I know my favorite authors do, and that's one of the reasons they are so successful.
However, there's more to learn than just craft. Newly published authors suddenly find themselves in a new world. Contracts, rights, title changes--all can send an already emotional writer over the edge.
Don't get too hung up on your book title or your book cover. You probably won't have much control over either. Editors change the title to make it the most marketable it can be. Accept that you aren't the only author dealing with this; trust your editor, and move on. Jody Hedlund wrote a terrific post about this last week, How Publishers Choose a Book Title.
I recommend reading about contracts now. You can get a book out of the library or go to agents' blogs. Check their blog archives or do a search of their blog for posts about contracts and rights. Also, if you know published authors, ask them questions.
If you have an opportunity to go to a conference, try to attend a workshop that focuses on the business side of writing. I mentioned this summer how terrific Stephanie Bond's class was. She made contracts, rights, and taxes make sense.
Join me on Wednesday when we'll discuss another aspect of career preparation: deadlines.
Jill, thanks for reminding me of the obvious- the work never ends!
ReplyDeleteReally, a book deal means so many wonderful changes and challenges are now embedded into your already crammed life.
Looking forward to your insight on deadlines.
Oh, super posts, Jill. I can't wait for the one on deadlines. I am giving myself deadlines to insure when it DOES happen, I'll be ready.
ReplyDeleteI will read about contracts now. Contracts to me have always seemed intimidating. But with preparation now, when the time comes for me to read mine I'll feel more confident. Thanks.
And thanks for asking if my sorrow has lifted at the beginning of unplug week. It hasn't. But I know in time it will. I appreciate you Jill.
Isn't that how anything in life is? We must continue to learn every day and push ourselves to be the very best. Even after we feel we've succeeded. Thanks, Jill!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jill. There's always more to learn. I love the face to face learning that conferences provide. Paul Levine came up to Alaska and did an excellent workshop on contracts. Really explained them in a way that was clear.
ReplyDeleteThere's always more to be learned, understood, explored. The beauty of it is that as our understanding deepens, we have more knowledge that can expand our work, or take it in new directions comfortably.
ReplyDeleteThere is so much to it. It is a business after all and no longer a hobby or dream once you sign that contract. :O)
ReplyDeleteI really admire the authors that continue to challenge themselves and grow even after they are multi-contracted/published. Writing can be a humbling venture and like you, I believe we can always improve :D
ReplyDeleteGood morning!
ReplyDeleteTamika: Hope your unplug week went well! I'm sure there's a level of excitement that will make meeting those newly-published challenges fun.
Robyn: Me too! Deadlines aren't the enemy! And I'm very sorry you're having to deal with this right before the holidays.
Heather: Oh yes! Even the routine things get changed--like the grocery store layout--and we have to relearn it all over again. Always something to learn!
Paul: Thanks for the tip about Mr. Levine. I'm filing the name away.
Joanne: I agree. New information layers over the old to give a more complete skill. Amazing!
Diane: Scary thought, isn't it? :)
Georgiana: I just picked up two books this morning by my favorite authors. Because they challenge themselves, I continue to purchase their books. And am I ever grateful to them!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
The learning never stops. One of the most encouraging things I've heard as a writer was from Angela Hunt. "We're all muddling in the middle." We might have come a long way in the writer journey, but there's always something new to learn, a skill to hone, a technique to perfect. Hearing that mega-multi-published authors like Angela Hunt still go to workshops and read craft books and try new things is an encouragement to me.
ReplyDeleteI love that the work never ends ;) I can't wait for more work, really. Now to figure out how to get it...
ReplyDeleteThe writing life sure gets complicated, doesn't it? I'm glad you help us wade through some of the waves, big and small.
ReplyDeleteAnother great post! Thanks... as it turns out, it seems that writing the novel was the easy part.. Who knew?
ReplyDeleteErica: I relate to that quote. There's always someone further along, and someone not quite as far along, isn't there?
ReplyDeleteT.Anne: Ha! Send some my way too...
Nancy: With each step, some of the complication fades!
Jm Diaz: Is any of it easy? :) Actually, I agree. I love writing!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
*sigh*
ReplyDeleteyou are right. the work never ends.
but, it's not all bad. if we love the work...embrace it... then the journey can be rather fulfulling.
So much still to learn isn't there besides just good writing:) Good thing we have friends along the way to help like you!
ReplyDeleteTess: I feel very blessed to know what I love and to be pursuing a career in it. How many people go to jobs they don't like every day? Fulfilling, indeed!
ReplyDeleteTerri: I'd shrivel up without all of you great friends. And I wouldn't know half as much as I do now!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
I have so much to learn ahead of me that sometimes I get overwhelmed at the immensity of it all. It's so much! But it's like eating the elephant--one bite at a time! Right now I want to do this part (submission/getting an agent) well. I'll focus on the rest when it comes.
ReplyDeleteDeadlines? Eek! ;)
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your wisdom, Jill.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Kristen T: That's my philosophy too--one thing at a time!
ReplyDeleteJanna: Scary, isn't it?? :)
Thanks so much for stopping by!
There is so much to the business end that you really do need to start early and take it in little by little I think. At least my brain requires it that way.
ReplyDeleteEileen: Your brain and my brain must be related. Some things make sense quickly, while others take plenty of small meals to digest. Contracts and rights are slow movers for this gal!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by!
Jill, wow, you are a fountain of knowledge. I had no idea that writers have no choice over the title. I have a bunch of titles that I really want to use. Hmm...
ReplyDeleteI remember a friend of mine telling me how the book cover for her book was so disappointing and that finally after many published books, being on the New York best seller list etc. she finally has a little say in the cover graphics! The business side of things is so much different that what I realized. I think it is great to start learning when you start writing!
ReplyDeleteDeadlines! I just wrote a post about them...a random post I'm not sure when I'll publish. I'm excited to read what you have to say!
ReplyDeleteFrom what I've heard, it only gets harder once you're published. The pressure from critics, having a reader base with expectations... I know just having an agent has changed things for me. I look at my writing differently...I have someone on the other end believing in me and this feeling that I can't let her down. It's no longer just for me...which is that first step in writing for others, I think.
ReplyDeleteAngie M.: It really depends on the publisher. Sometimes authors do get to keep their titles--just be prepared not to!
ReplyDeleteKara: Yes, it's true. I think as writers, we need to focus what's inside the cover, not what the cover looks like. Hard!
Katie: Oh, I look forward to reading it! You must be dealing with a lot of exciting changes right now!
Steph: I'd imagine having an agent is both exhilirating and frightening. Like you said, you now have someone who believes in your work, but you also have someone you want to continually impress. I know you'll do great!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Great info. I just got back from the La Jolla Writers Conference which focuses more on the publicity and promotion aspects. Also how to query and write a book proposal. My problem is I spend too much time learning about publishing and promotion, and not enough time finishing my revisions.
ReplyDeleteGutsyWriter: :) We all have our pets--yours is publishing/promotion! Mine is definitely NOT revising either!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!