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A week on from my debut novel being published (I'm still pinching myself) I thought I'd share some of the things I’ve learned from the process. Admittedly, mine was a bit weird… but then every journey to publication is! It's time for a #writingcommunity THREAD
1. Be patient. More patient than you ever thought possible. Then double that. Then add some more. As a new author you have to wait your turn - but that’s a good thing because success takes time to build.
2. Check your expectations. You’re putting something out into the world with zero control about how people will react to it, so don’t set the bar too high. Just getting a book published is amazing.
3. Embrace constructive criticism - because you’re going to get it! But also accept that some people just won’t like your work for personal reasons which are, frankly, not your problem.
4. Pick yourself up. Of course, some things will sting, rejection is tough, but after spending hours and hours crouched over a keyboard are you really about to give up? No, you’re not.
5. Check your emails. Specifically at weird times. I got my offer in the middle of having a mattress delivered on a wet Tuesday night in January.
6. Read your contract. This is really important. You need to know what you’re signing up to, and if you don’t understand it, ask for help!
7. Listen to your agent/editor. They’re alchemists. They’re the people who see just how amazing your writing can become and want to help you become great.
8. Take suggestions on board. But remember, they are suggestions. They’re *a* way of solving a problem or bringing something to life, not *the* way. Take the time to mull them over and work out what works for you.
9. Judge your book by its cover. Designers love inspiration and (polite) input, so don’t be shy about sharing what you love, what you think stands out, what would make you pick something off the shelf…
10. Be involved in the publication process. And ask questions. If you want this to be a career you need to understand how the industry works and what you can do to help yourself get ahead.
11. Work out what promo works for you. Some people love Twitter, some people a naturals on camera, some people can rattle off a blog post in minutes. Whatever you’re comfortable with, lean into it and carve out a niche.
12. Celebrate. When the big day finally arrives you are perfectly allowed to make it all about you. Be proud, because you’ve worked hard and done something remarkable!
13. Read some of your reviews. But only enough to reassure yourself that you’ve managed to achieve the things you wanted to with your book, and that it’s entertained a few people for a few hours. Then stop.
14. Say thank you. It takes a lot of energy, enthusiasm and time to publish a book, and publishing isn’t the best paid industry. Editors, marketers, publicists, bloggers, reviewers, booksellers all run on love. So spread it around!
15. Cling to the glory. After all the excitement there’ll be regular days when not much happens, so make sure you take the time to remind yourself that such an amazing thing really did happen!
