Take timing, skills, market need, platform, and a little pixie dust
and there you have it—the books that make it.
Take Care of Who You
Know
You’ve heard the expression it’s all about who you know.
Well, not exactly. It does nothing to know people for the sake of getting
ahead, for crab-stepping over others on your way to the top. It doesn’t matter
if you’ve befriended unpublished women who love to read or bestselling authors.
No matter whom you come in contact with, treat them well. With kindness,
respect. Heck, throw a little pixie dust on them. We all could use more of
that.
Refuse to Believe it
Won’t Happen (in other words Believe it Will)
I have absolutely no doubt my time is coming. I’m not a
prophet. I’m not egotistical or unrealistic about my skill set. I often have
days when I look at my work and cringe. But I work hard, refuse to quit,
nurture a spirit of learning, and hold onto hope like an old lady does her
purse. In fact, I often use hope to clobber lies over the head much like said
old lady.
Polish up on Craft by
Reading Books
Read well-written work. Read books on craft. Read to your
kids. Read left. Read right. Read in the day. Read in the night. (Am I
reminding anyone of Dr. Seuss’s The Foot
Book?)
Invest in Time to
Write & Be Willing to Sacrifice
Write. Write. Write. 'nough said.
Meet Face to Face
Go to conferences. I loved meeting my agent in person. I met
her before she was my agent. I always think fact-to-face impressions improve
your chances in this industry. A passion for your novel shows when you’re pitching
it. Your ability to connect with others and care shines through in especially
noticeable ways in person, too.
Reach Out
Send that random note raving to the author whose book you
loved. Friend that writer on Facebook. Follow that editor on Twitter. What
could it hurt? Take risks. Life is short.
Embrace a Spirit of
Learning
Above all things (I write this because the publishing
industry is ripe with moments for us to learn), embrace a spirit of learning.
So much is turning on its head in this industry. Interactive books. Houses
being gobbled up and bought out. Amazon (need I say more?). Self-publishing
morphing from the red-headed stepsister into Cinderella. It’s worth it to pay
attention, take notes, and keep an open mind. Recently I got put to the
test on this. And I want to pass with flying colors.
What others ways can
you think of to help propel yourself forward in publishing?
*photo by stock.XCHNG
