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Publishing’s Tripping Hazards

November 7, 2019 //  by Cynthia Ruchti//  14 Comments

blogger: Cynthia Ruchti

tripping hazardsLast year, my husband broke three ribs. A reasonably coordinated man, he tripped on an uneven piece of pavement and fell hard. Broken ribs take an extraordinarily long time to heal. Small fall; big consequences.

It can take a long time to heal from publishing’s tripping hazards, too.

Common Publishing Tripping Hazards (not an exhaustive list)

  • Pride that prevents or hinders growth. A writer who believes the book is perfect “as is”–so keep your advice to yourself, agents and editors–is presenting an “as is” project. And we all know what that term means in car purchases and home buying.publishing tripping hazards
  • Assuming that a contract is the end of a writer’s financial concerns. I still remember the counsel from a multi-published author who said she feels pretty good about herself if her royalty check covers taking her family out for a nice Italian dinner. No more mortgage concerns? Not realistic, at least in the beginning of most authors’ careers.
  • Believing that turning in the manuscript means the hard work is done. If a writer trips on this hazard, he or she will be gravely disappointed when the tasks related to editing or rewriting, marketing efforts, publicity demands, social media management, and reader engagement kick in.
  • Listening to another author’s career path story and attempting to duplicate it. Everyone’s path is unique. Success for one is not measured exactly the same for another. The fickle winds of publishing can change direction without warning. Survey any dozen authors and you’ll discover some common threads but a dozen key differences in what worked or didn’t work, how much time it took, and how they got to that point.
  • Hanging on tenaciously to bad writing habits. Writers who leave all the tidying to the editorial team are doing both the team and themselves a disservice. Writers who work hard to break bad habits may not merit gold stars, but they gain a reputation for being easy to edit.
  • Speaking rudely, thoughtlessly, or arrogantly to anyone in the industry. Today’s critique partner may be next year’s podcast host. The editor you thought “done you wrong”–and made sure he knew it–may be the publisher at another house in a few years. The agent you dissed for not taking you on as a client may turn out to be the one connection you need with a future project. Burning industry bridges can be as consequential as burning a bridge when you leave a job and discover a decade later that the smoke from that smoldering bridge keeps you from your dream job.

Avoiding Publishing’s Tripping Hazards

  • Defeat pride with humility whenever it rears its ugly head. Stay grateful, teachable, open, and humble.
  • Celebrate any financial benefit from your writing, but don’t anchor your family budget to advances and royalties, especially in the early years of publishing.
  • Stay realistic about the writing and publishing process. It’s the hardest work you may ever do. It also may be the most personally rewarding. But there’s an effort-based price to pay.
  • Learn from other authors but resist imitating them or measuring success by their experience. Enjoy your own ride.
  • Determine to keep learning and improving…until the last word you ever write.
  • Be perpetually kind, considerate, thoughtful, and supportive of others in the industry. Because it’s the right thing to do. And because this business runs on the fuel of relationships.

Healing from Tripping Hazard Mishaps

tripping hazards publishingYou may have already tripped on one of the above hazards. Now what? Understand it may take time to heal. If you’ve offended an editor, for instance, conduct yourself in a way that is above reproach from that moment on. If you blasted through your first book’s entire advance before it occurred to you that you’d need to pay taxes on that income, set safeguards in place for the next contract. Forgive yourself for mistakes of the past, and devote time and energy to ensure it won’t happen again. Enlist the first aid kit of wise advice from trusted experts.

Ribs do eventually heal, as do well-tended injuries from publishing’s tripping hazards.

What hazards have you observed or experienced?

 

 

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Category: Authors, Writing LifeTag: burning bridges, hazards, jealousy, pride, professional conduct, publishing, publishing's tripping hazards, writing habits

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  1. Patricia Schudy

    November 7, 2019 at 6:43 am

    Wise advice! Thank you.

    Reply
    • Cynthia Ruchti

      November 7, 2019 at 4:28 pm

      Thanks for your comment, Patricia.

      Reply
  2. Andrew Budek-Schmeisser

    November 7, 2019 at 7:21 am

    I bask in writing’s glory,
    my confidence serene,
    some find it purgatory
    but to me it is a dream.
    My sharp and pithy sayings
    have editors on the run,
    and mine agent is obeying;
    he gets my laundry done.
    I go through advances with a will;
    spent money don’t grow moss,
    and when I get some boring bill,
    to my accountant’s hands it’s tossed.
    I know ’tis wrong to instill envy,
    but don’t you wish that you were me?

    Reply
    • Cynthia Ruchti

      November 7, 2019 at 7:32 am

      Clever as always, Andrew.

      Reply
      • Andrew Budek-Schmeisser

        November 7, 2019 at 7:48 am

        Cynthia, the amount of fun I get out of life, it’s GOT to be illegal.

  3. Kristen Joy Wilks

    November 7, 2019 at 9:58 am

    The biggest hurtle I’ve come up against is learning not to get my feelings hurt with critique. It’s taken time and some tears, but eventually I came to the day that I realized that it was more important to me to know what was wrong with the story, than to go on blithely ignorant and happy. I truly want the truth, because that is what will help my craft to shine. But it is a hard thing to learn to value because the pain is still there, I just now know how incredibly beneficial it is to have someone draw their editorial sword and take a few good hacks at my story!

    Reply
    • Cynthia Ruchti

      November 7, 2019 at 10:50 am

      Your line–hard thing to learn to value–is such a good one! Might we all!

      Reply
  4. Shirlee Abbott

    November 7, 2019 at 12:33 pm

    “Perpetually kind.” A worthy goal in everything, not just publishing. I aim for “overtly kind.” Hopefully, my face won’t give away my covert thoughts!

    Reply
    • Cynthia Ruchti

      November 7, 2019 at 4:28 pm

      Made me laugh, Shirlee!

      Reply
  5. Norma Brumbaugh

    November 7, 2019 at 8:24 pm

    Limited thinking can get me in trouble; lofty goals, as well. They may seem like opposites though they’re actually two sides of the same coin. Unrealistic expectations. I have to be realistic but always moving forward despite any set-backs aka tripping hazards. Good reminder! Thanks.

    Reply
    • Cynthia Ruchti

      November 8, 2019 at 7:53 am

      Well said, Norma.

      Reply
  6. Patricia Schudy

    November 8, 2019 at 6:49 am

    Terrific metaphor. Wise tips. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Cynthia Ruchti

      November 8, 2019 at 7:54 am

      We all need the reminders. 🙂

      Reply
  7. Mary

    January 3, 2020 at 9:31 am

    This is good life advice. Not just for authors. Glad I found it.
    Peace and love be yours.

    Reply

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