Things New Writers Need to Know

I had coffee this weekend with a twenty-something who wanted to talk about writing. Here are some of the things we talked about and some of the lessons I’ve learned along my writing journey (that I wish I had known at the beginning).

1. You may be very fortunate, and your book is the next international best seller that takes the world by storm. But for every one that tops the charts, there are thousands or millions of other books that don’t. Dream big, but be realistic in your planning.

2. If you are going to go the traditional route of publishing (querying an agent, submitting to publishers,…), you will find that it is a slow process with a lot of waiting. Use your time wisely and write your next book in the down time.

3. Writing is a business. It’s work. If you want to be an author, you need to put in the time to learn/hone your craft and market your book. But don’t get too bogged down in reading “learn to write” books that you never actually start writing. I have found two books that have been really helpful, Stephen King’s ON WRITING and Janet Evanovich’s HOW I WRITE. (I donated all the other ones that I bought to the Friends of the Library.)

4. Rejection, bad reviews, and negative comments are part of the process. They stink. Nobody likes them, but you need to be able to learn from mistakes and keep trying if you believe in your work.

5. Your book needs to be the best that it can be before you start querying agents/publishers. It is rare that you get more than one shot at an idea.

6. Read everything you can get your hands on. Read books in the genre that you want to write. Make sure you know the conventions (rules/traditions) and word/page counts for your genre. Follow readers that you like on social media and watch what they do.

7. Self-publishing and book marketing (even if you are traditionally published) can be expensive. You need to set your budget and plan your strategy and spending.

8. Publishing is a business. Make sure you have a statement of work or a contract if you hire someone to do work for you (e.g. editing, formatting a book, designing a cover, planning a marketing promotion).

9. Agents/Editors/Publishers receive a lot of queries. They are looking for fresh ideas that will sell. Your manuscript needs to stand out in a pile of others. You need a unique hook that draws readers in. They are also looking or quality work. If you don’t follow submission guidelines, have something that’s riddled with typos, or doesn’t follow the conventions of the genre, you make it easy for them to move it to the reject file.

10. Make sure you read all of your contracts and royalty statements and understand them.

11. There is no other feeling like typing, “the end” on your manuscript. Celebrate. But this is really just the beginning. You need to make this work the best it can be. Editors, proofreaders, critique partners, and beta readers are invaluable. It is a rarity that anyone’s first draft is in a state ready to be published.

12. Watch out for scams on social media. You will be bombarded with offers. If they seem too good to be true, they probably are.

13. Find a writers’ group, preferably in your genre. You need a network who can help with ideas and advice and celebrate your victories. My membership in Sisters in Crime, Guppies, and James River Writers has been invaluable.

I Have News!

My agent received three offers on my new series, the Jules Keene Glamping Mysteries. And over the Independence Day weekend, I signed a three-book deal. The first one launches October 2021.

20 Things I Learned from JRW's "How to Sell the Heck out of Your Book"

l-r: Chanel Cleeton, Stacy Hawkins Adams, and Jane Friedman at the JRW Writing Show

I had the pleasure recently of attending James River Writers’ “The Writing Show.” The topic was “How to Sell the Heck out of Your Book” with Chanel Cleeton, Stacy Hawkins Adams, and Jane Friedman. Here’s what I learned:

1. Write a fabulous book. Focus your energy on your writing.

2. Readers and word of mouth sell books.

3. Authors have an advantage when they write a series. It keeps readers coming back for more.

4. Authors need to read a lot and know their genre.

5. Books with good covers sell.

6. Make sure that you keep an email list and create a newsletter. You own this list. Make sure you maintain it.

7. Be active on social media.

8. Make sure you have an author website. Keep it current. Your website is your business card.

9. Jane Friedman said that you need an email list, website, and social media platform, and you need to maintain all three.

10. Build relationships with your readers.

11. Be creative when you plan events and launches. Who can you partner with?

12. Look at where you spend your advertising and marketing dollars. Data is your friend. It can help you set your goals.

13. You should start your marketing plan for a new book four months before it launches.

14. Networking is important. Build relationships with readers, authors, booksellers, and others.

15. If you ask people to do something for you (e.g. post a review, blurb your book), make it easy for them. Send them a summary and an information/press sheet.

16. Time management is an issue for authors. There is a lot to juggle. You need to find balance.

17. Hope is not a strategy for book marketing. You need a plan.

18. Don’t get in panic mode over book marketing. You need to be in it for the long-term.

19. Always be professional.

20. Know where your readers get their information or hang out. Figure out ways to reach them there.

Book Promotion Tips for Authors - What I Learned at JRW's The Writing Show

l-r Karen Chase, Sarah Lapallo Beck, Angela Dominguez, and Ellen Whitfield - James River Writers' "The Writing Show"

Recently, I attended James River Writer's "The Writing Show." The topic was Discoverability: Beyond Social Media with Sarah Lapallo Beck, Angela Dominguez, and Ellen Whitfield. Here are some of the things I learned about book and author promotion.

1. Being an author is a job, and you need to be professional.
2. You need a unified presence (e.g. website, give-aways, blog, social media sites, etc.)
3. Always do your research on agents, publishing firms, and those you hire to assist you with your book.
4. Networking is key for authors. Go to conferences, book events, and join writers' groups.
5. Newsletter swaps are a great (low cost) way to expand your audience. Find another author who does a newsletter, and be a guest or do a take-over of his/her newsletter. When you share, you introduce your book to new readers.
6. We almost always think about editing and proofreading our work. Sometimes, we forget about our marketing materials and website. Make sure that your materials are as polished as they can be.
7. As an author, you need a press or media kit.
8. Make sure that you have a professional author photo (no selfies).
9. Blog tours are a great way to get the word out about your book and you as an author.
10. Make sure you have an elevator pitch for your book. Write it out and practice it. It needs to be a few sentences with a hook. Your goal is to create a connection and for people to want to buy your book. Practice delivering your pitch and find others who will critique it for you. 
11. Look at your promotional materials and social media sites.Find ways you can improve.
12. If you're sending out advance reader copies (ARCs) for reviews, and they're ebooks, you may want to explore companies like NetGalley and BookFunnel.

What I Learned about "Stepping up to the Stage" from Joan Bowling - Public Speaking Tips for Authors

This week, I attended the James River Writers' Writing Show, "Stepping up to the Stage" with Joan Bowling. She had some great presentation and public speaking tips for authors. Here's what I learned...

1. Prepare! Prepare! Prepare! Make sure that you're ready for your event. 
2. Relax! You are more confident when you feel comfortable.
3. Make the butterflies you feel fly in formation. Get control of your nerves.
4. Breathing helps. Calm your thoughts.
5. Nervousness means you care. Use that energy in your presentation.
6. You need to create an impression or mood with what you're going to say.
7. Start off with a question or an "imagine a time when" story. You want to draw your listeners in.
8. Practice your opening. 
9. You want your presentation to be an easy conversation. She said to avoid the "wind up." "Hi. Thank you for having me here. I am so honored to be here..."
10. Know your audience and have questions prepared.
11. Listening is crucial. 
12. Be present.
13. If you're on a stage, do a sound check. Walk around and get to know the environment before the event. 
14. If you've not used to using a microphone, practice at home with a hairbrush.
15. The microphone is an extension of your chin. Hold it below your chin. Your audience needs to see your mouth.
16. When it doubt, use a microphone. It's hard to sustain a voice loud enough for the audience to hear for 45 minutes.
17. Mingle with the audience before an event.
18. When you are on stage, scan the audience. Don't do a windshield wiper thing with your head. Scan in a slow "W" formation, so it looks more natural. 
19. If you're terrified, look at your audience's foreheads. They can't tell that you're not looking directly at them.
20. Be hydrated before you speak. Stay away from dairy. 
21. If you're doing a reading, animate it. Leave them with an emotion. Read a funny, scary, or sad excerpt. 
22. If you're reading, hold the book so they can see it, but don't cover your face. They shouldn't see the top of your head during the entire reading. 
23. Some people print out the excerpt and read from the paper. (Just make sure that you have your book on the lectern or table, so they can see the cover.
24. Know the power of a pause. Pause from time to time to let your audience catch up and to draw them in.
25. Don't do accents in readings.
26. Get comfortable with the sound of your voice. Tape yourself and listen.
27. If you're doing TV, make it a live conversation. 
28. Always have your book with you.
29. When you're doing a presentation, don't end on a question. End where YOU want to leave the audience. Leave them with an impression.

Joan had some wonderful advice. Check out her website and her newsletter. These are all great ideas that writers need in their toolbox when they're doing a reading or a presentation.