100 Post Challenge #5: Hindsight is 2020
See what I did there? I know it's a bit early for New Years posts, but I'm feeling inspired to write one anyway.
I'm about to reach my third anniversary of getting an offer of publication for Enshrine. I have learned so much since then, and if I could do it all over again, there are many things I would do differently. Since I can't do that and can only focus on moving forward, the cliche title of this post was born.
1. Do the Query process completely over.
I feel like I was so excited at the prospect of becoming a published author that I did that thing where you throw spaghetti at the wall to see if any will stick. No, I didn't throw any pasta at any walls in my home...but I queried way too many agents without researching them. I saw that they took fantasy or romance and just went for it. I also sent out way too many at once and didn't change my approach when the rejections came pouring in. I was lucky to get a full and partial request despite all of this...but oi.
2. Tweak my letter so it was more alluring.
This is still a work of progress for me. I'm not always great at being concise, but I think I will try to pitch the manuscript first this time before all the other stuff. I'm also not above asking for help. Another set of eyes could be beneficial.
3. Don't necessarily take the first offer you get.
I'm going to be tactful about this one. I was so determined about being published by any means necessary that when an offer came up, I took it because what if it was this or nothing? So yes, I can say that I'm published and I have books on Amazon, but it's not really what I dreamed. You cannot purchase my books in a real store. I probably spend more money on promotional things than I actually make in sales. I still have to get up tomorrow and teach Kindergarten, when I'd really like to be in a cozy office writing or what have you. I would tell myself to be a bit more cautious about reputations of Indie publishing houses (LOOK AT THE COVERS OF THE
I'm about to reach my third anniversary of getting an offer of publication for Enshrine. I have learned so much since then, and if I could do it all over again, there are many things I would do differently. Since I can't do that and can only focus on moving forward, the cliche title of this post was born.
1. Do the Query process completely over.
I feel like I was so excited at the prospect of becoming a published author that I did that thing where you throw spaghetti at the wall to see if any will stick. No, I didn't throw any pasta at any walls in my home...but I queried way too many agents without researching them. I saw that they took fantasy or romance and just went for it. I also sent out way too many at once and didn't change my approach when the rejections came pouring in. I was lucky to get a full and partial request despite all of this...but oi.
2. Tweak my letter so it was more alluring.
This is still a work of progress for me. I'm not always great at being concise, but I think I will try to pitch the manuscript first this time before all the other stuff. I'm also not above asking for help. Another set of eyes could be beneficial.
3. Don't necessarily take the first offer you get.
I'm going to be tactful about this one. I was so determined about being published by any means necessary that when an offer came up, I took it because what if it was this or nothing? So yes, I can say that I'm published and I have books on Amazon, but it's not really what I dreamed. You cannot purchase my books in a real store. I probably spend more money on promotional things than I actually make in sales. I still have to get up tomorrow and teach Kindergarten, when I'd really like to be in a cozy office writing or what have you. I would tell myself to be a bit more cautious about reputations of Indie publishing houses (LOOK AT THE COVERS OF THE
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