Comments on: DIY MFA: Are You Ready to be an Author? (Part Two)

By: Kristina

Kristina — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 17:57:25 +0000

I have been reading many interesting articles and tips on publishing…, yours is very down-to-earth, thank you.
I am also one of those who knows that rejection will upset me and probably take the wind out of my sails.
One of my thoughts to combat this was to start a blog round my character and publish a small chapter now and then as a teaser and offer the e-book for sale via my blog/site as a Kindle or iBook…
Please note I have not developed an on-line presence yet.
I have engaged the services of an illustrator and together we will have a good product. Once available as an e-book I will have to spread the word around for it to sell.
Is this a coward’s way to go about things?
Is this what authors do who have already been rejected?
Am I approaching this whole publishing business the wrong way round?

By: Lollipopgoldstein

Lollipopgoldstein — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 03:17:05 +0000

Absolutely, Aunt Misfit. I have to say that there are A LOT of similarities between the frustration of IF and the frustration of publishing. And I think IF gives you great perspective. But I’m sorry that you have gained that perspective through loss, and I’m doubly sorry for this most recent loss.

By: Aunt Misfit

Aunt Misfit — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:46:59 +0000

I’ve been casually reading along here. I’ve got a few chapters stashed on a book, but what you said about heart being stomped is just the realization I made last week after coping with yet one more freaking loss. I like the idea that I can still put my heart out there and be willing to fail fertility-wise, only to maybe use that tough skin to make that book sing. Food for thought? Thanks for that!

By: Half of a Duo, Raising a Duo

Half of a Duo, Raising a Duo — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 10:51:05 +0000

Excellent advice, Mel!

By: Lollipopgoldstein

Lollipopgoldstein — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 23:44:41 +0000

JCB–

Truly, I think it’s a lot of the same mentality, with a different slant. With non-fiction, you may be showing that you’re an expert in a topic and you have something to say. With fiction, you are giving people a sense of your writing style. It would follow that people who like your blog would probably like your book.

I would work on connecting with other fantasy readers, since they’re the potential audience for your book. What sort of blog would attract fantasy readers–perhaps book reviews? An online book club of a hot series?

By: JCB

JCB — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 18:41:07 +0000

I’ll add my thanks for sharing your advice–it’s honest and thought-provoking, which is the best kind of helpful. My question is: I can easily see why having a blog/other social media platforms would be very useful for a nonfiction writer who’s trying to get commercially published. What do you think is a good way to use those tools if you’re an aspiring fiction (fantasy) writer like me?

By: Busted Kate

Busted Kate — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 18:17:58 +0000

Thank you Mel! This is really helpful. I have sort of, not-all-too-seriously been toying with the idea of putting a book of essays together based on my blog, so your advice is great. Thanks!

By: Mel

Mel — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:01:00 +0000

So now the question is, knowing how much work it takes to get to the starting line, will you push ahead and do it? I know you can because you’ve put that sort of energy into running; but, of course, the difference is want. I think you have to want this pretty badly in order to put in this energy or else the whole thing ends up as an exercise in frustration rather than having the frustrations simply be stepping stones to the final goal.

By: serenity

serenity — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:58:32 +0000

This is informative. I’ve always had the desire to be published, but had a sense that it would take a LOT of hard work – real TIME to get in and get my hands dirty – in order to make it work. Thanks for confirming that for me.

xxx

By: Lollipopgoldstein

Lollipopgoldstein — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 11:43:02 +0000

Bea–

It’s true, it may not be the most encouraging series but then again, it’s what people need to hear before starting down this path. Probably the most important thing people need is determination. It goes a long way and most people quit before they see the goal at the end because they simply don’t know how to fight for that goal. I’m hoping that (1) someone who doesn’t have their whole heart in this steps back because I don’t want them to waste their time and emotional energy and I’m hoping that (2) someone who does have their whole heart in this will now have the tools to make tweaks to their life and get that book published.

I think the most important thing to take away from this post is that if you want to try to publish, you’re going to hear a lot of rejection. Two things can happen. You will take that rejection to heart and you will quit, and that will be a shame. But hopefully knowing how much rejection out there awaits you will help you focus past it. Ignore it, have it become an annoyance rather than an end point. Which is not to say that you won’t spend the night crying, but after that cry, that you’ll pick yourself up again and keep moving forward.

And I think you take that risk because the pay off is huge. I mean, why do people climb Everest instead of walk up the hill near their house? Why do people go on 3000 auditions a year, hoping to be chosen for a television show? Because it is so freakin’ cool to hold your book in your hands and think about everything that has come before that point.

And, because there are things you can get from traditional publishing that you can’t get from self-publishing. Published books and self-published books are two very different things and if you want to create a published book, there are so many hoops to jump through that you should come prepared.