F³A: The Fruits of My Labor

Writing. Sometimes it seems so unrewarding. I mean, most people will never see their work published. Of course with the rise of self publishing I supposed that's changed, which has its advantages and drawbacks.

But I digress.

Even those that are published--how many unpublished manuscripts do they have collecting metaphorical dust on their computer. I have at least six.

And when you're published, self or traditionally no matter,  you cannot believe how much work you have to do to market it. I mean, it's not going to sell itself. I've spent so much money and time trying publicize me, Never Eighteen. I'm constantly exhausted.

Sometimes it seems like it's not even worth the trouble.

But it is, isn't it?

Writers don't write for notoriety or money (well most, I mean there are those big names that are now just churning out shit to make a buck. They probably aren't even writing their own books anymore. I'm not naming names).

We write for ourselves. Because it's cheaper than therapy. We write to feel a sense of accomplishment. We write because simply, we love it.  I'm not going to use the cliche that writing is like oxygen,  I'm more about the whole therapy thing. Seriously though, some of us writers can't imagine a life without it.

It's what we do, it's who we are, and every word we write becomes part of us, like a cell or a mole, or an eyelash. Little bits that alone seem like nothing, but when put together become a whole.

Writing completes me.

A big advance doesn't necessarily mean a big backing

I just read in an email from a fellow writer that an author received a six figure advance but still received no marketing help from the publisher.

When you get published, this is a good thing to keep in mind. If a publisher won't help an author pay back a large advance, what are they going to do with a little quiet book?

Nothing.

Probably nothing.

Maybe a little but more than likely nothing.

• I admit to having spent some *cough* of my own money marketing Never Eighteen. I put money into bookmarks, buttons, and bracelets. I do my own designing, so I don't have to pay for a graphic designer which saves money. I do know a great graphic designer who has done author swag and self published book covers though if you need one.
•  I try to always have extra books with me. I buy them at my local indie because they count toward my sales, and they give me a discount. 
•  I've traveled to New York, as well as used gas locally to get to events. 
•  I hired a local publicist, which for me was worth the money. Not everyone goes this route though.

I have done some things that don't cost as much.

• Postcards. They really didn't cost that much. I sent them out to all the schools and libraries in my area to tell them about my book and to let them know I was available for school/library visits. I believe I sent out close to 200, all hand written for that personal touch. From  these I got an offer from the Tacoma public library to host my release party and a handful of school visits, which to me was worth the $30 or whatever amount it was.
•  My publicist opened the doors to some opportunities, schools, libraries, book stores. However, this is something I can do on my own. I think I just wasn't at that comfort level yet when my book first came out. Now? I have no problem with it. I have the contacts I made through my publicists and have made new ones through other events I've done. I've done 27 author events this year (one was a Skype visit, that was fun) and have a bunch more coming this fall. I will say, eventually I will be asking to get paid for some of these visits, but for now, I'm doing them for free. I will say my publicist also got me a couple radio shows and interviews.
• Book bloggers. Say yes to every interview, guest blog, blog tour. Some of these bloggers have thousands of followers. Is it a lot of work? Yes. But it's free publicity. You may have to try to get them an ARC from your publisher or you may have to donate swag for a giveaway, but it's a free way to get your book out across the globe (there are many bloggers out of country).
• Apply to speak at conferences, book festivals, and the like. It will get your name out there, and hey, you may even get paid for it.
• Newspaper events. Anyone can post an event in their newspaper's website. You just go to their events page, and they should have a link that says "post an event". So anytime you're at a library or book store, post it in that area's local paper.
• And don't forget social marketing. Twitter, Facebook, Blogging, Vlogging, Tumblr, whatever. Don't just tell people "Buy my book" though. Give them some advice, information, a little insight to your personal life.
• Think outside the box. What's your book about? Where is it set? Find places that have something to do with your book and ask if they'll carry it, or if you can do an event there.

Okay, I think that's all I've got. Just keep in mind, once you get published, your book doesn't sell itself. Book marketing takes perseverance and dedication. If you want people to read you, you have to be ready to work.

I'm not blogging today

Instead, I'm sending you to Cynthia Leitich Smith's blog, Cynsations. I talk about my journey to publication and finding Austin's voice. I think it's pretty interesting stuff. But, I'm kind of a narcissist, so, judge for yourself. Comment if you wish. Worship the ground I walk on. Okay, maybe not that last one.

Since I'm not blogging, I'll give you another picture of a cute monkey today. (Oh, but you can wish my luck on my first classroom visit today. I'm terrified.)

Ch-ch-ch-changes...

This isn't really about David Bowie, it's about me.  As always.  Because I'm a narcissist.

Change.  I fear it but sometimes it's inevitable.  Now that I'm getting published (fingers crossed nothing bad happens to prevent this), I really do need to make some changes in my life.

1) My video series is going from Chronicles of an Aspiring Writer to Chronicles of a Debut Novelist.  I'm having a meeting with a musician and his girlfriend for a new theme song (okay it's my friend Kristin and her boyfriend Tony, but I can write it off if I make it sound important, right?)

2) I have joined the Elevensies group.  I'm very excited about it.  I love the idea of writers helping other writers succeed in this business.  And Gae's in it and it is going to be so cool to work with her!!!

3) And, er, exercise.  I was supposed to start my regiment this week, but, uh, sigh, I didn't.  But if I need to get author photos and do book signings I want to be fit. (okay, I want to look hawt, I can't help it, it's the narcissist in me)

4) I need to organize my time better, so, I'm going to start keeping a calendar and write down everything that needs to be done on any given day.  I've tried this before, but I'm determined to make it work.  Daily stuff like balancing my time with exercise, writing, networking.  Then things that would be more of a weekly or monthly thing like like videos, critique groups, etc.

I'm sure I'll come across some other things that I need to work on or change, but that's where I'm starting right now.

Thanks as always for reading me and having my back in this crazy business.

Ciao (I changed my closing too, you like? or should I go back to kisses?),

Megan

The end of the Journey...

This journey to publication has been a fun ride. I've met some great people, learned a hell of a lot, but every journey has to end eventually, right? And so this aspiring writer is no longer aspiring. This writer is getting PUBLISHED!!!!

Yes, I've had an agent for about a month now. And two weeks after I signed with her, I received an offer from an editor at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. My YA novel Mending Fences is scheduled for release fall of 2011.

I'm going to keep blogging and vlogging, and I'm currently working on Cheesy as a follow up.

I just want to thank you all for following my blog and supporting me through this journey. Every one of you means a lot to me.

..and now the next journey begins...

Author Branding

It sounds painful, I know, but It's not like cattle branding. It's like your brand name as an author. Making your name mean something so people recognize it and seek it out. In all essence, I'm still very much a newbie when it comes to this authorship stuff. I've been writing since 2002, trying to get published since 2007, and I'm just now hearing about this branding stuff.

If you've never heard of it, for a great article that explains it in detail click here.


What is my brand? Should I even have a brand pre-publication? Or should I wait and let my audience brand me? My answer, I think I should be creating a brand. Maybe it's why I've been doing what I've been doing for the last three years, book reviews, videos, basically plastering myself all over the internet.

Right now, I am the angsty YA writer that makes the videos and wears the knit hats and knee socks. The one that writes the gut wrenching novels that encapsulates the fears of today's youth.

Of course, this means nothing right now to anyone but my loyal fans. (fan? ;) It will mean something later. When my novels are published. When people go to the book store, not looking for any edgy YA book, or even Mending Fences, or Cheesy, but when they go and ask for the latest book by Megan Bostic.

So, tell me, what's your author brand?

This is the day...

...Amazon announces the semi-finalists in the ABNA (Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award) contest. Last year they made us wait until about 9 pm. I'm hoping since the reviewing supposedly ended on the 14th or so, that they won't make us wait that long again. It's pure torture.

If so, I'm going to try and keep myself busy. I plan to do some gardening, mow the lawn,write, do a critique, and probably some cleaning.

I couldn't sleep at all last night, I have these huge bags under my eyes. You'll see them in the video. ugh.

It will not be the end of the world if I don't make the cut. I will continue to write. I have plans to revise a few of the novels I already have started (including Lockdown). I will continue my journey towards publication.

Kisses

:*

Megan

The Sell

Getting a late start today. I debated hijacking my own blog after some debate on Facebook, but decided to stick with the subject of the week. At the end maybe I'll touch on the Facebook debate.

So, you have an agent, and OH MY GOD, they've found a house that wants your book!! You have an editorial meeting with the publisher and guess what? They love your book, but want to see some changes done.

You make the changes, then comes line edits.

You edit, then comes more changes.

Then more, and more and more.

And they've given you a release date two years from now. Two years that will seem a lifetime.

It's all worth it though, from conception to publication, the hours, the frustration, the tedium, just to see your book in print. I can't wait for that day.

But you know what? That's when the hard work starts. Publicizing, market, making sure your book sells so you can sell another...your job as a writer is never done.

Good luck to ya.

Kisses,

:*

Megan

non sequitur: It's hard enough making it as a first time writer, especially for writer's of YA, give me your thoughts on competing with the celebrity writers out there, Madonna, Brittany Spears, Jamie Lee Curtis, and now Hilary Duff, etc etc. Let me hear your thoughts on this. This was the subject of debate on Facebook yesterday and today.

Friday Free For All: Guest Blogger Gae Polisner's Anatomy of a Book Deal

Anatomy of a book deal.

For nearly ten years, I have been trying to get a book deal. Ten years, if you count the years trying to get an agent, which is almost a necessity if you want to get a decent deal. The agent came a year and a half ago. I have three manuscripts she’s been shopping.

During those pre-agent (and post-agent) years, I received a fair amount of praise for my writing, if not always for my ability to weave a commercial enough or “formulaic” story. But, the bottom line is that endless rejection, even smattered with praise, is difficult to push through for so long.

So, last May, when my YA mss landed in the hands of a legendary YA editor who read and “loved” it, the hope that I so often fought to pummel down, rose to the surface of my psyche. And when she sent me a private email quoting from the book and telling me to “sit tight,” it sprouted wings and poised itself to fly.

So you can imagine how crushing it was when three weeks later, she came back with a note explaining that while a second editor had also loved it, a third editor had not, and that, without his approval, the publisher would not put the money behind she believed the manuscript deserved. With a sentence that started, “In another economy…” and contained the word “heartbroken,” she passed on the book.

Summer came and I fought to regroup. I embarked on massive revisions with the understanding that, in September, my agent would send the manuscript out “wide.”

And then my agent received the following note from the editor: “Usually, when I pass on a mss that is it for me. But, I can’t stop thinking about Gae’s manuscript.” She asked for another brief exclusive in September, and hope took wing once again.

In July and August, I revised for over 100 hours, trying to take into consideration all of the concerns of the “unadoring” editor, while preserving the parts of the book she loved. As well as addressing the other concerns and suggestions of my agent. On September 15 we sent it out to her. We gave her a two week exclusive.

On October 1, the last day of the exclusive, having heard nothing and beginning to despair, I found the following note from my agent in my email. It was only a subject line, there was nothing else at all in the email: “ Frances has made an offer. Call me.”

Ten years is a long road. And (almost) totally worth it to read those seven little words.

Gae H. Polisner is a writer of women's and young adult fiction. She is excited to announce that her young adult novel, Steinbeck, The Scoot and the Pull of Gravity has just been signed by a major New York publisher. Her novel, The Jetty (women's fiction), was a Top 100 Semifinalist in the 2008 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. Her third novel, Swim Back to Me (women's fiction), is also making the rounds to publishers. She is represented by Michelle Humphrey of Sterling Lord Literistic in NYC.

Don't forget to join her fan page :)

Seclusion

I have to go into seclusion for the weekend to get this manuscript at its best.

New voice, hacking, cutting, omitting, adding. Hopefully by Monday, it will be a whole new novel.

I hope everyone has a safe and sane (okay maybe not that last part) Memorial Day weekend.

And don't forget to think about all those who lost their lives defending our freedom.