So much good advice here. I think it's such a common misconception that writers who become authors just write books for a living rather than cobbling together 10 part-time jobs. You have to be SO MOTIVATED to make that life work for you.
Will definitely be sharing your proposal boot camp in my next newsletter. I thought I'd have mine up and running this fall, but I'm revamping my six week pitching course instead and working with folks 1:1 for proposals because I like getting into the work with them.
Such smart advice! I think it’s unrealistic and sets people up for feeling bad about themselves to think a book is a magical ticket to financial riches. It can be for a rare few but even those who get huge deals eventually probably have to work other jobs.
Some things I’ve found that helped me build community and are attractive to publishers are starting a reading series (or another type of public event) and starting a publication. Mine is Open Secrets (opensecretsmag.substack.com). Both of these can be very time consuming so that’s something to consider, but I think any time you can build your author brand alongside other authors, it gives you a great way to have camaraderie with others in your field and potentially attract media attention. If a reading series is too much, maybe a one-off reading or party or event around your writing theme and making sure you notify all local media/blogs/etc. I think it’s helpful to do those platform building things before you get a book deal so they’re there for you to leverage when your book is coming out.
So much good advice here. I think it's such a common misconception that writers who become authors just write books for a living rather than cobbling together 10 part-time jobs. You have to be SO MOTIVATED to make that life work for you.
Will definitely be sharing your proposal boot camp in my next newsletter. I thought I'd have mine up and running this fall, but I'm revamping my six week pitching course instead and working with folks 1:1 for proposals because I like getting into the work with them.
Such smart advice! I think it’s unrealistic and sets people up for feeling bad about themselves to think a book is a magical ticket to financial riches. It can be for a rare few but even those who get huge deals eventually probably have to work other jobs.
Some things I’ve found that helped me build community and are attractive to publishers are starting a reading series (or another type of public event) and starting a publication. Mine is Open Secrets (opensecretsmag.substack.com). Both of these can be very time consuming so that’s something to consider, but I think any time you can build your author brand alongside other authors, it gives you a great way to have camaraderie with others in your field and potentially attract media attention. If a reading series is too much, maybe a one-off reading or party or event around your writing theme and making sure you notify all local media/blogs/etc. I think it’s helpful to do those platform building things before you get a book deal so they’re there for you to leverage when your book is coming out.