Or
At least what worked for me
by Judith Grout
- Work from your strengths
- Find all the free, talented help you can muster
- Get pushy and bossy
- Keep (or develop) your sense of humor
- Learn fast or die young
When I was a beginning writer
way back in 2007 and thinking I was an accomplished author and genius, I
surmised the world would beat its way to the bookstore doors to scoop up
multiple volumes of my debut novel. Maybe they would even leave one of those
little crosses with the plastic flowers propped up against the brick entrance
with a banner proclaiming “This is the place to buy Judith Grout’s triumphant
first novel.” But I think you have to be dead (or Stephen King) to merit that
type of homage so, glad to still be above ground, I moved on.
When I approached the
glorious final step of my “finished” novel, I polished my query letter and
started checking the 90 something agencies listed on my “hopeful” spreadsheet.
I waited for the battle to begin over who would represent me. This endeavor
took all my time (for 6 months) totally focused on proposals, both electronic
and SASE species. One has to work hard when one is unknown and doesn’t have an
influential relative in the White House, on the New York Times staff, or at least
employed by NPR. Nothing much significant happened. I did have a few nibbles
but, as they all sputtered out, I resolved to head down that dusty road called
DIY.
I started furiously reading
self-help how-to-self-publish-your-story
tomes (which, if they’re more than five days old, are obsolete.) I took notes
and made plans. I whipped my website into shape and began posting regular
blogs. I opened a Facebook and Twitter account and puzzled over just what all
fuss was on TV about what LeBron just tweeted. I joined a number of writer’s
organizations, entered contests, started giveaways. I rejuvenated my “contact”
list and just about every other list I could come up with. I enlisted the help
of my able-minded, resident computer expert who also just happened to be a
retired editor (sort of.)
So here is what I’ve learned:
- The strength of my story (besides being good) resided in the fact it is about a journey of two naive young women hitchhiking from Minnesota to Washington State. I figured there are a whole lot of folks in those places along the road who would want to read a story placed in their part of that road.
- My computer expert (indicated above) is one of those crazy people who thrive on trying new electronic stuff by following vague instructions on how to get my MS successfully published and designing and producing my book trailer and dipping our collective toes in the advertising arena.
- The pushy and bossy part grows on one. I find myself stepping forward, volunteering for speaking engagements, book signings, even elbow-rubbing with other writers.
- ·Humor has been something that doesn’t come easily to the practical mind. Awakening the Broca segment of my brain was an uncomfortable exercise pour moi. I’m learning to see humor all around me. If I run too fast and trip and, oops, go splat, I need to laugh. If I overdo on the exercise treadmill, I’m sore for a day or two; no biggie. As I approach another year older and step into the next decade, I shrug and cope with sagging, drooping, and not remembering what happened five minutes ago. C’est la vie.
Supposedly the “life” of a (traditional) published
novel is three months. I don’t plan to let go quite that soon but I will put
the current campaign on the back burner to simmer while I start blockbuster
number two.
Got any better ideas?
(I hope you noticed the
cosmopolitan sophistication I demonstrated by the use of la Français above.)
Author bio: My high school year book predicted I would be successful and
wealthy. Now they find out I’m a writer. But, wait – there’s more! During my
formative career years, my left brain launched me into the fun and fact-filled
science of healthcare. I wallowed in assorted body fluids using analytical
methods such as chemistry, hematology, microbiology (my fave), among others. The
paychecks were regular (although at times Spartan.) But I stuck to the
professional grind for 40+ years, accumulated my nest egg, and retired. Now I
live with a liberated right brain, writing, running the gamut from freelancing
to fiction. My debut novel, Chasing the
Strawberry Moon, Hitchhiking (for girls) will scratch that itch you’ve had
yearning to know more about 1939, the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, and a
looming World War II. See you in the pages.
Learn more about Chasing the Strawberry Moon: YouTube book trailer and read excerpts from Judith's writing on her website.
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