I've always enjoyed reading about how authors got published -- even the details of heartache and excitement and disappointment of their individual journeys. Because reading those stories lets me know I'm not alone in my own experiences.
Well, here's my story. I've decided to be quite detailed, but to leave out the specific names and situations regarding the publishers/agents involved. I just always want to stay professional. I think that's really important. So, here goes...
In the Beginning...
I've been writing novels since I was 21 years old (I'm 43
now). I got serious about trying to get
published about thirteen years ago. I
attended writers' conferences and soaked up all the information I could about
the process. I was told, over and over, that I had to get a
literary agent. That it was the only way to
be published. So, I polished my novel
and polished my query letter. Then I
researched agents and studied their submission requirements. Then, I sent out my proposals. And although I got a few "bites" of
interest (requests for a full manuscript), I also got countless rejections. It happens.
In fact, it's expected. But that
doesn't make it sting any less. But during those challenging years, I did something very important. While I was submitting, I kept on writing. I wrote and edited five other novels.
Fast-Forward to 2010:
During my final round of submissions, about five years after
writing the first book in my current series, I got a contract from a literary
agent. Hallelujah! But unfortunately, after many months went by, it became obvious we
weren’t a good “fit.” So, after our contract length had ended, we went our
separate ways. Back to Square One.
Switching Gears:
Since I'd had no real success with literary agents, I decided to approach publishers directly, on my own. Big and small. It took weeks and weeks of new research, and of learning the publishing industry in a way I never had before. I wanted to be equipped, well-informed. Essentially, I was becoming my own agent. So, I sent my book to several editors and got nothing but rejections.
It made me wonder if I was on the right path. But--a few months into the process, I was offered a contract by a small
publishing company! I was beyond
ecstatic. It had finally happened. As a courtesy, I notified the other
publishers who had my book. And I
received two more contracts! After some excruciating decision-making, I
chose a publisher. (Side note: I'm a teacher, with absolutely no legal education, so I decided to hire a literary attorney to look over the contract. I'm so glad I did. Worth every penny, for the peace of mind).
Sadly, things went unexpectedly awry, regarding the contract. I won’t go into detail, but after months
of “issues,” the publisher and I ended up going our separate ways (a mutual decision). Still, I was devastated.
Back to Square One—again—with a weary heart. The doubts started to seep in, in a way they never had before. Would this ever happen for me? After all these years of trying?
After licking my wounds, I decided to re-approach one of the
other publishers who’d offered a contract wayyy back in January. What did I have to lose? They could only tell me "no." But they didn't. They actually took me back! Within forty-eight hours, I had spoken with
the editor twice on the phone, had received and signed a contract, and had
written an author bio for their website.
Success, lightning-fast! After all these
years. Blood, sweat, and yes, even
tears.
In the End...
One thing I've learned: the publishing process isn't for wimps.
It's frustrating, maddening, and it will make you doubt yourself many,
many times over. But, if your goal is to
get published, it's something you likely will have to endure. Every writer's journey is different. There are some true overnight success stories
out there. But they're rare. Getting published takes dedication, perseverance (actually, it's more like stubbornness, lol), and hard, hard work. And, the good news: the publishing landscape is changing. Writers have more choices, more opportunities than ever (including self-publishing). This industry is rapidly changing, because of the digital age, and e-books. Even publishers now have no idea what the
publishing landscape will look like in the future. And that's kind of exciting.
Question of Why
During the journey (or, preferably at the start of the journey), it's
important for every writer to ask one big question: Why? Why do I want to get published?
If the answer is "money," heh, forget it. That's, unfortunately, unrealistic. If the answer is "fame," again,
unrealistic. Not impossible, but not
likely.
I asked myself this question a couple of years ago, and
here's what I came up with:
I want to see my book in print. To hold it, to crack it open, to smell it
(man, I'm such a book nerd!). The thought of
having my own words, my own thoughts/ideas/characters grace the inside pages of
a book makes me giggly. It just does.
Probably the main reason I want to get published is
this: I love the idea of other people
reading words I wrote. I love the notion that someone, somewhere, maybe in
Maryland or New York or California, will see the cover, read the blurb, and
decide, for some reason, to spend hard-earned dollars to purchase
it. Even more, I like the idea of that
person going home after a difficult work day, maybe even with personal burdens,
and escaping his/her life, momentarily, through reading my book. Because that's a huge part of the reason that I read. I would
love for someone to experience what I experience through books--the escapism, the intimacy, and even the reflection of oneself through a character or
situation. The notion that I, somehow, could be any part of that process for someone
else is incredible to me.
The End...Only The Beginning
So, that's my story, with all its ups and downs, twists and
turns, lows and highs. My story is
happy, it's sad, and...it's unfinished.
Who knows where my writing will take me next. But the most important thing is that I never
lose sight of one thing: the love of
writing. Because that’s the fire that
fuels everything else.
