Who Knew for Writers

Who knew not taking time to adjust your privacy settings on social media could create a tangled mess of chaotic, unwanted, unpleasant hairball-like clogs?

Who knew that self-publishing a book is rarely a natural first step to traditional publishing?

“Was I supposed to know it’s contractually illegal for me to read my whole book to my social media friends?”

This “Who Knew for Writers” addresses questions agents, editors, and writing instructors often hear. Who knew? Most of us don’t…until we come face to face with the regrets and realities of what we haven’t yet learned.

Who knew for writers:

“But I didn’t realize that waiting until after I finished my manuscript before turning my attention to developing my built-in audience of prospective readers would add years to my writing journey.”

“I didn’t know having my niece design my cover for my self-published book would not only adversely affect sales but also cause a family rift when I decided to rerelease with a more professional-looking cover.”

“Who knew poor sales of my self-published book would be such a high hurdle to conquer when I attempted to connect with an agent or a traditional publisher? That first book was just for fun. Just for practice. Why would that even count?”

“I didn’t realize self-publishing a 75-page book would mean the spine is razor-thin compared to other books, and that readers aren’t willing to pay a ‘normal’ price for a super-thin book. Isn’t it the words that matter, not the number of pages?”

Who knew these things would come up?

“I thought all contracts were pretty standard. It was all legalese. I’m working with good people. Who knew I should have read that contract thoroughly?”

“Nobody told me this would take so much work. Or money. I went with a hybrid publisher. By my calculations, I need to sell 25,000 books to earn back what I’ve spent. So far, I’ve sold 300.”

“Who knew I shouldn’t have chosen a glossy finish on both sides of my business cards? I didn’t realize I’d sometimes need to write a note or a phone number on the back.”

“How was I supposed to know that although titles can’t be copyrighted (see how smart I was) choosing an identical title to a major bestseller would mean that my book never shows up at the top of a search list?”

“Who knew editors and agents and marketers create subtitles, titles, and back cover copy to not only woo readers, but to maximize key words and SEO? I liked my original title. It was so clever, nobody could understand it without explanation. That’s compelling, right?”

Who knew what nobody told us?

None of us is born knowing all there is to know about writing and publishing. Who is at the greatest disadvantage when it comes to publishing? Those who think they can do it on their own. Those who don’t ask questions and don’t read blog posts. The most likely to build a trail of regrets in their publishing careers are those who let their independent spirit keep them from seeking help, from listening to studied wisdom, or those who have no community of fellow writers. It’s those who hear but don’t apply advice given them by professional editors or agents. Or those who falsely believe that writing talent overrides everything else.

So keep asking questions. Resist the urge to assume, “I’ve got this. How hard can it be?” Study the craft of writing and the publishing industry with as much vigor as you use to key in those riveting scenes or compelling nonfiction chapters. Find a writer (or two) who is at least a few rungs ahead of you on the experience ladder. But if you have an agent, run that advice by your agent for confirmation it’s universally true, not just uniquely true.

But if you have an agent, run that advice by your agent for confirmation it’s universally true, not just uniquely true.

Who knew it was important to include your name and date in the file label of your proposal or manuscript? “Remember to put your names on your papers, students.”

Now you know.