One thing that struck me about my publishing experience was just how unpredictable the people in my life were about my book. There were some folks who I knew would be cool and supportive, and they absolutely were. (Yes, mostly other writers. They get it!) But some folks popped out of the woodwork -- a friend from elementary school came to one of my events and said she'd handsold my book to her entire extended family! And a person I considered a close acquaintance but maybe not yet a friend did one of the closest readings of the book of anyone I knew and talked to me for a long time about it. And then on the other hand: I took a copy of my book in person to my favorite English teacher from high school. He... didn't remember me. I think he barely said congrats. I held out hope he might one day follow up via email, but, nah.
It was a mostly good experience, and I was hoping I'd be able to follow it up with something else more quickly than I have. (I was with Harper too. No paperback, rejected my option book, my editor left, all that fun chaos. I more or less feel like a newbie writer again.) Anyway, really enjoyed the newsletter, even though it brought up a lot of Feelings. That post-pub crash is REAL, and I can't speak for anyone else, but sometimes I still get waves of malaise when the topic of publishing comes up.
I was so naïve. As an academic who published dozens of articles about my Great Discovery, and was tired of giving interviews about it, I believed that if I published a book about it, they would finally leave me the hell alone and I could concentrate on my Next Great Discovery. A dozen years later, they still ask for interviews and ask the same damn questions - questions that I answered in the book. But reporters gotta report,and that means asking questions and having the source (me) answering them.
I do not believe there is a solution. Either write the book and be gracious about all the interviews or don’t write the book.
Thank so much for this essay. I loved your book and your approach to astrology really resonates with me. Happy book bday! Reading this essay while in my own 6 weeks post-pub day was the salve I needed. My publicist left when I was close to launch day and we are still so behind on press. Luckily, I’m one of those rare debut authors who gets a small tour from my indie publisher. Publishing is so weird but pieces like this (and writer friends!!) help this wild journey.
Sending lots of love during this Scorpio season 🤘🏽
Happy book birthday! Another Harper author here (Money and Love: An Intelligent Guide for Life's Biggest Decision, out 1//10/23)! Who was also surprised to learn that my book might not be issued in paperback at its one year birthday. As a data-driven person, I have been shocked (SHOCKED!) at how little data authors have access to re: book sales. How are we supposed to know what's working/not working w/r/t all the time/effort/money we're putting into publicity when it's at best case, a black box, and at worst case, incorrect? (So envious of the PRH portal! And appreciative of Substack's analytics for posts.) Anyway, sending solidarity and commiseration. Reading this post was so helpful and confirmatory - thank you.
Thank you for sharing! I’m about a year away from this and while it’s all so exciting, it also feels like facing a huge and many-headed Unknown. It’s very reassuring to hear some of the things to watch out for.
Thank you for this!! My first book, a collection of poems called The Beautiful Keeps Breathing, was accepted for publication by an indie press a few weeks ago. As a social worker/therapist turned writer, the publishing world is a strange, uncharted planet and am grateful to hear from other writers on their publishing adventures!
One thing that struck me about my publishing experience was just how unpredictable the people in my life were about my book. There were some folks who I knew would be cool and supportive, and they absolutely were. (Yes, mostly other writers. They get it!) But some folks popped out of the woodwork -- a friend from elementary school came to one of my events and said she'd handsold my book to her entire extended family! And a person I considered a close acquaintance but maybe not yet a friend did one of the closest readings of the book of anyone I knew and talked to me for a long time about it. And then on the other hand: I took a copy of my book in person to my favorite English teacher from high school. He... didn't remember me. I think he barely said congrats. I held out hope he might one day follow up via email, but, nah.
It was a mostly good experience, and I was hoping I'd be able to follow it up with something else more quickly than I have. (I was with Harper too. No paperback, rejected my option book, my editor left, all that fun chaos. I more or less feel like a newbie writer again.) Anyway, really enjoyed the newsletter, even though it brought up a lot of Feelings. That post-pub crash is REAL, and I can't speak for anyone else, but sometimes I still get waves of malaise when the topic of publishing comes up.
I was so naïve. As an academic who published dozens of articles about my Great Discovery, and was tired of giving interviews about it, I believed that if I published a book about it, they would finally leave me the hell alone and I could concentrate on my Next Great Discovery. A dozen years later, they still ask for interviews and ask the same damn questions - questions that I answered in the book. But reporters gotta report,and that means asking questions and having the source (me) answering them.
I do not believe there is a solution. Either write the book and be gracious about all the interviews or don’t write the book.
Gawd.
Thank so much for this essay. I loved your book and your approach to astrology really resonates with me. Happy book bday! Reading this essay while in my own 6 weeks post-pub day was the salve I needed. My publicist left when I was close to launch day and we are still so behind on press. Luckily, I’m one of those rare debut authors who gets a small tour from my indie publisher. Publishing is so weird but pieces like this (and writer friends!!) help this wild journey.
Sending lots of love during this Scorpio season 🤘🏽
Happy book birthday! Another Harper author here (Money and Love: An Intelligent Guide for Life's Biggest Decision, out 1//10/23)! Who was also surprised to learn that my book might not be issued in paperback at its one year birthday. As a data-driven person, I have been shocked (SHOCKED!) at how little data authors have access to re: book sales. How are we supposed to know what's working/not working w/r/t all the time/effort/money we're putting into publicity when it's at best case, a black box, and at worst case, incorrect? (So envious of the PRH portal! And appreciative of Substack's analytics for posts.) Anyway, sending solidarity and commiseration. Reading this post was so helpful and confirmatory - thank you.
This is wiiiiiiiiild. All of this. Thank you so so much for sharing your experience. I wish this information were more easily available to authors.
Thank you for sharing! I’m about a year away from this and while it’s all so exciting, it also feels like facing a huge and many-headed Unknown. It’s very reassuring to hear some of the things to watch out for.
Thank you for this!! My first book, a collection of poems called The Beautiful Keeps Breathing, was accepted for publication by an indie press a few weeks ago. As a social worker/therapist turned writer, the publishing world is a strange, uncharted planet and am grateful to hear from other writers on their publishing adventures!