It’s a new year, and a lot of people probably made “write that novel” or “get book published” their New Year’s Resolutions. That’s why I think it’s a good time to remind authors–as I often do–that publishing is a marathon not a sprint. And since writing can be such a solitary and frustrating experience, I find that it is important for authors to celebrate the “mile markers” (as I’m calling them in my marathon analogy) and the small victories that come along the way. “Get published” might be too broad of a goal for the new year–especially since most novels take years to get published even if it’s already completed. If you don’t celebrate your accomplishments, then the finish line can seem too frightening and far away.
Mile 1: Start. This might sound like a dumb thing to celebrate, but as soon as you’ve written the first page–even the first sentence of your novel–you’re already ahead of a lot of people. There are millions of aspiring novelists out there who never actually make the time to write.
Mile 2. The “NaNo Win.” In National Novel Writing Month, you “win” if you hit 50,000 words. Most novels are longer than that. But once you get there I still think you should get yourself a special crown that says “winner” on it. Because this is all about celebrating achievements.
Mile 3. The End. When you finally get to type those words for the first time. And you really should type them because it feels good. Possibly dance around your desk singing “It’s the End of the World as We Know It” and mess up the lyrics. Even though, as we shall see, it will not be the end of the work.
Mile 4. Revise! An author needs to get used to doing endless edits and revisions. The exclamation mark is because it is fun.
Mile 5. Betas/Proofreaders. Get actual living people to read your work. They might like it. They might hate it. But, ideally, their feedback will make the MS stronger and, if not, then you are practicing developing a thick skin for foolish 1-star Amazon reviews. Like a real published author!
Mile 6. Read Within Your Genre. While your work is being read by others is a good time to read more. It is important that you read within your genre, so you know your book’s place in the marketplace. In particular, you should read debut novels in your genre so you are measuring apples to apples. Published authors with proven track records can get away with things that debut authors cannot.
Mile 8. Revise! (Again). Once you get feedback from others, it’s time to look at the MS again, hopefully with fresh eyes. Do not be afraid to tear it apart. It can be difficult to delete things you wrote–just because you spent so much time writing that the first time. Remember some things are important to have written but aren’t important for the reader to read. During this revision, think like a reader, as if your book is one of those debut novels you just read.
Mile 9. Synopsis. Writing a synopsis can be very difficult for authors. Why do agents want you to write a shorter version of the novel you already wrote? But it can be really helpful for figuring out what your novel is about. Think about your main character and what his or her arc is. Everything that contributes to that arc/growth should be in the synopsis. And your main character should be at a different place emotionally at the end of the novel than at the beginning. The rest is either details or stuff that you might consider cutting.
Mile 10. Research Agents/Publishers. You know what is the number one reason I reject a query? Because the author hasn’t done proper research into what I’m looking for or what my submission guidelines are. Congratulate yourself on being ahead of all those people. You are so much better than the riff-raff!
Mile 11. Write a Query. Ugh, this is hard, right? There’s a million “how to write a query” blog posts on the internet but they all say different things. What is right? How do you know what to do? Well, it’s time to go back to the bookstore (a treat in itself!) and look at more books. Read the marketing copy on the back or inside flaps. How do they make you want to read it? Think like a marketer when writing the plot part of your query. Then go find a book that you think is most like yours in the whole bookstore. Which section is it in? (At most bookstores, these are labeled.) That is where you say your book belongs, when writing the part of your query about what genre/comp titles are out there. Then just write a short bio paragraph. That should be easy, you’ve met yourself, right?
Mile 12. Send Queries. This can be stressful; a lot of people put off emailing agents. Once you hit the send button, feel free to pour yourself your favorite drink (whether alcoholic or not). Sure, you can get rejected and that is what is in a lot of people’s minds at this part of the journey. But remember, you can get accepted without trying. Also, you’re halfway through this marathon metaphor! Go you! It’s not really an accurate representation, since it’s just a metaphor and all, but why not celebrate that while you’re at it.
Mile 13. Get a Rejection. Congratulations! You got a rejection! Go you! … why is this a thing to celebrate, you might ask? Well, I don’t know any author who because successful without being rejected by someone. And some famous authors got some seriously harsh rejections. Yours probably wasn’t as bad as all that, right? Did they say the book was “unreadable”? Well then you’re ahead of Ursula Le Guin!
Mile 14. Get Request. Even better than a rejection! Dancing is required at this mile marker.
Mile 15. Send a Full. Most agents request partials. So when you get a full request that means your partial submission had strong enough writing to merit even more time and consideration. More dancing here.
Mile 16. Don’t Freak Out. This might be the hardest part but while your MS is being read, you have to try to not freak out. Write something else. Binge Netflix shows that people have been talking about and you missed because you were writing a novel. Learn karate. Do something to keep your mind occupied. Freaking out will not help you.
Mile 17. Speak to an Agent / Get an Offer. I usually schedule phone calls with potential clients to get a sense of them before a sign them. The author-agent relationship is a personal one, and we have to click in order for me to offer. So getting to talk to an agent or getting an offer of representation is a great big step. Being offered representation (see part where relationship is personal), doesn’t mean you have to accept it. Take 5-10 days (tell agent exactly when you will be back to them) to think about it. Be sure to let all other agents who have a partial or a full manuscript of yours that you have an offer. Celebrate moving forward, but don’t make decisions yet.
Mile 18. Sign an Agency Agreement. Whoohoo! I mean, definitely read the agreement and make sure you’re not selling your soul to the devil. The AAR would really frown on that type of contract. But it’s official! You have an agent! Alert all of social media, so everyone can know how special you are.
Mile 19. Revise! This time with the agent’s input, you should be doing some revisions. I have only once in my career sent a debut MS out without doing revisions. Yes, it means looking at this thing again, but hopefully it feels good to be doing it with some guidance from someone who knows the industry and market. Squee here.
Mile 20. Go on Submission to Publishers. This can be another soul-sucking one, as waiting is difficult and publishing is VERY slow. This is another time to start writing your next MS. Or learn another new skill since you’ve mastered karate. Maybe become a French chef. Then you can eat cool stuff. Or just order food from somewhere cool, I don’t know.
Repeat Mile 13. (Sorry)
Mile 21. Get Interest from a Publisher. Awesome! An editor likes your book. Maybe he or she wants to talk to you about revisions. Or has said he or she will take it to their board meeting. Celebrate this achievement. Someone likes you! They really like you! Now, a publishing board might shoot your MS down for all kinds of reasons that have nothing to do with you (they have a similar book already, they used up their money on some celeb memoir that no one is going to read, marketing and sales don’t “get it”, too many ducks, etc). But it’s important to feel the love of that one editor. Because if you can do it once, you can do it again.
Mile 22. Get a Publishing Offer. This is the time when you can freak out. Your agent will be the one to keep a cooler head and try to negotiate for more money and such (that is what they are for). You, go nuts!
Mile 23. Contract. Contracts might seem scary but again, it’s what makes it all official. Like a wedding license or something. I mean, you’re entering into a very important phase of your life. Publisher-Author agreements are a sacred bond. Maybe hire a wedding photographer for the signing. It’ll preserve the memory and confuse the heck out of the photographer.
Mile 24. Edit! It’s like revisions but more official! It’s a good thing you practice all that revising because now you have a deadline and an editor to please. But you’re good at this now because you did all those revisions, you got this.
Mile 25. Wait. There’s a lot of waiting in publishing. None seems longer from the time you send your book off to the time there is a physical book in your hand. It could, literally, be a year or more. (Though 6-8 months is more typical.) Now people will ask you all the time when your book is coming out and you feel like you might explode, right? Well now is another good time to start work on another MS. Or maybe get a new belt in karate. Also, thinking up marketing and publicity ideas can’t hurt. (Even if they are crazy, and you decide not to attempt.) Maybe read Social Media for Writers (agency plug!).
Mile 26. Be Published. There’s a lot to do before the finish line. You have to promote the book. Maybe do a blog tour or other promotional events. You need to do your own promotion on social media. You have to NOT stab reviewers who don’t like it (I cannot stress how key this last one is). This can also be a stressful time, much like a wedding. Celebrate if you don’t become an author-zilla.
FINISH LINE! CELEBRATE ALL THE THINGS!
