Kate Moss: Writer

Today my father took me to lunch. We talked about a lot of thing, but my writing kept trying to push its way into the conversation. Finally, he looked at me and said, “So have you given any thought to what you’ll do if you finish your novel and send it out and everyone just sort of says ‘Eh, we’ll pass. Better luck next time’? Will you keep writing?”

I love this man. And I can’t lie to him. Which has been problematic throughout my life. When he asks me a question like this, the lies I have been telling myself never make it past my lips. What does come out often surprises me.

Today my heart rejoiced at the question. Not because it’s an easy one for any writer to contemplate, but because I have wrestled this particular demon before and come away with my hope intact.

I spent the rest of our lunch explaining the dynamics of the publishing process, as I understand them, to my father. I’ve reproduced a shortened-version of that diatribe here to educate the less-informed and invite instruction from the knowledgeable at the same time.

From idea to publication…

1. Write the novel. Lets pretend this takes you a year. That’s pretty quick for a new author to plot, write, revise, revise, revise, revise, revise, and polish their manuscript, but we can dream.
2. Shop an agent. You already have a short list of who you want to represent you. After all you’ve been stalking agents on the internet for the past year. It’s called writer’s block. Have I mentioned how much I love that you can’t get free Wifi at Starbucks? Think about it. Anyway, you send out a round of beautiful query letters. They’re all addressed to the correct person at the correct agency who is actually interested in your genre. They also conform perfectly to all submission guidelines. You wait. A few weeks later you get a letter. You don’t even make it back into the house from the mailbox before ripping it open. Then you wish you hadn’t. What do they mean it’s not for them? It’s perfect for them. Online they say they’re interested in zombie romances told from the viewpoint of rowdy families of fire-breathing frogs. That is exactly what you have written. How could it not be perfect for them? Are they trying to imply something about your novel? Over the next week you receive negative responses from your beloved short-list of agents. Welcome to professional writing. Sit down, rework the query letter if you need to and get a new short list. Try again. And again. And again. In the meantime, read this article about rejection by Maria Snyder.
3. Alleluia, you’ve got an agent! Someone has offered to represent you. It has been three long months. First, you check out the agent thoroughly. Don’t be afraid to ask for references if they can’t point you to a work they’ve represented. Make sure to check the top fraud and “beware of this agent” websites. Okay, you’re ready to accept representation. Your book will be in B&N soon, right? Maybe. Your agent may (will) have you do some editing. When the manuscript is ready, they’ll send it out to editors. A good agent will keep you in the loop on the process. No agent in their right mind will call you every day. Or every week even. When they know something, you’ll know something. Do your best to maintain some semblance of professionalism at this point in the game.
4. An editor shows interest. They call your agent and express their interest. Lets pretend it has only been six months since you landed your agent. You’re cruising. Problem is they have to sell your book to the rest of their editorial team. This includes other people who are not editors–think marketing people and that ever-irritating bottom-line guy in the corner. This may feel a little unfair. You’ve written the best book you know how. Are you really expected to cater to the needs of those other guys in the room? Well, yes and no. Yes if you want to get published. No in the unlikely even that you’ve written the best book the editor has seen in the last year. So take a minute and think about what you’ve done that will help the editor who likes your work sell it to this team full of contrasting needs. More on that tomorrow.
5. An editor makes an offer for your book. You’re a savvy writer. You’ve done all the right things to help your editor sell the book to his team. He’s been successful. He comes back with an offer. Your agent calls you. You put her on speakerphone and proceed to cry, do a handstand, and swear to her your undying gratitude all at the same time. Your husband gets home from work. You jump him. He’s happy you got an offer, too.
6. The real work begins–Getting your manuscript in shape for publication. You edit and edit. You fall in love with the cover art. You call on your extensive network of literary allies to read and blurb your book. You do have an extensive network of literary allies, don’t you? More on that in the future.
7. Your book gets reviewed. The publisher sends out advanced copies of your book to be reviewed by any and everyone willing to read the thing. The Nebraska Fly Fisher Association Journal says some very nice things about the fire-breathing family of frogs.
8. Barnes & Noble decides if it’s interested in carrying your book. Somewhere at B&N there’s a woman looking at your book. Or a description of your book. She’s reading the comments the Nebraska Fly Fisher Association Journal made and wondering why there isn’t also a glowing endorsement from Lee Child. It just so happens that she has recently broken up with her boyfriend who just loved stories about fire-breathing frogs and zombie lovers. She isn’t sure she wants to put up displays for a debut novelist with a name like Lily VanSchmuck. Despite all of this she decides that your book will do moderately well and decides to stock it. Whew, that was a close one. You should probably go read these articles about advertising (Reaching Readers: The Door-to-Door Theory, How to Promote, Advertise, and Market Your Book )to avoid this situation next time. After you’re done reading the rest of this post. And you’re almost done. I promise.
9. Your book hits bookshelves. Somewhere. Rather, at least one copy of your book hits a bookshelf somewhere.
10. Congratulations, you’re a published author.

This process may seem overwhelming at first. It sounds a little hopeless. You may have to reevaluate your definition of success in terms of your writing. Personally, I rejoice in the opportunities the writer has to exercise so much more than just their creativity! And how brightly hope shines against the dark backdrop of adversity.

As you can see, this process can be very long and drawn out. Everyone says that to be a writer you have to be patient. There will be periods of waiting followed by periods of… more waiting. I have to disagree with this philosophy. Being successful as a new writer requires a mountain of sweat equity. There is always something to be working on. If you’ve been sitting around waiting for news ever since you sent off your precious manuscript, you’ve done yourself a major disservice. So what should you have been doing?

I have to go finger paint with an eight year old, so… Tune in tomorrow to find out.