Guest Post by Deborah Sharp
First, I must
recognize Mystery Writing is Murder as the fantastic resource it is for me, and
for countless others. Much thanks to Elizabeth for her fantastic blog, and for
inviting me to guest post today.
recognize Mystery Writing is Murder as the fantastic resource it is for me, and
for countless others. Much thanks to Elizabeth for her fantastic blog, and for
inviting me to guest post today.
This month marks the
publication of the
fifth book in my Mace Bauer Mystery Series. It seems a good time to pause
to look back at what I didn’t know when I started out. Here are 5 Things About Book Publishing I Wish I Knew Then:
publication of the
fifth book in my Mace Bauer Mystery Series. It seems a good time to pause
to look back at what I didn’t know when I started out. Here are 5 Things About Book Publishing I Wish I Knew Then:
1. Writing your first book isn’t the hard part.
The other stuff —
getting it published, promoting it, learning the ins and outs of marketing when
your entire experience in sales was peddling Girl Scout cookies in the fifth
grade — that’s the hard part. And if you’re doing a series, like me, you’ll also
be writing another book during the learning curve. Start learning about the
business side of being a writer before you get published.
getting it published, promoting it, learning the ins and outs of marketing when
your entire experience in sales was peddling Girl Scout cookies in the fifth
grade — that’s the hard part. And if you’re doing a series, like me, you’ll also
be writing another book during the learning curve. Start learning about the
business side of being a writer before you get published.
2. Your readers are not only drawn TO your setting,
they’re drawn FROM your setting.
they’re drawn FROM your setting.
Give this some
thought. Had I done so at the beginning, I might not have set my first book,
and hence my series, in a region of Florida that has more cattle than people.
Cows, in case you didn’t know, do not buy books.
thought. Had I done so at the beginning, I might not have set my first book,
and hence my series, in a region of Florida that has more cattle than people.
Cows, in case you didn’t know, do not buy books.
3. Publishers
want what they want when they want it.
want what they want when they want it.
When I began working
on my switch from journalism to fiction-writing in 2004, ebooks weren’t even a
gleam in Amazon’s eye. I went the traditional publishing route. If you do the
same, you’ll probably wait months to hear from a publisher you’ve pitched. You
may not ever hear back at all. But if you do, and turn in the finished version
of your manuscript, months may pass without a word. Then, suddenly, they’ll get
back to you with a cover design, or a request for changes, and it’ll be, SNAP
TO IT! As a former news reporter, I viewed that distant deadline as a
long, luxurious stretch of time. Now I know how time accelerates quickly toward
the end of the process. Understand that publishers do not like to be kept
waiting.
on my switch from journalism to fiction-writing in 2004, ebooks weren’t even a
gleam in Amazon’s eye. I went the traditional publishing route. If you do the
same, you’ll probably wait months to hear from a publisher you’ve pitched. You
may not ever hear back at all. But if you do, and turn in the finished version
of your manuscript, months may pass without a word. Then, suddenly, they’ll get
back to you with a cover design, or a request for changes, and it’ll be, SNAP
TO IT! As a former news reporter, I viewed that distant deadline as a
long, luxurious stretch of time. Now I know how time accelerates quickly toward
the end of the process. Understand that publishers do not like to be kept
waiting.
4. When you
decide to don something “fun” or “quirky” because it’s
something your character might wear, readers will expect to see you in it. ALL
THE TIME.
decide to don something “fun” or “quirky” because it’s
something your character might wear, readers will expect to see you in it. ALL
THE TIME.
”Where’s Mama’s
veil?”
veil?”
I still hear that
question, three years after I dressed in hideously tacky wedding attire to
promote Book No. 3, ”Mama Gets Hitched.” Not only did I get a permanent
neck crick from plopping five pounds of pearls, ribbons, and tulle on my head,
the wedding hat became a hard act to follow. Sure, a feather boa and diva
sunglasses worked for the movie theme of No. 4, ”Mama Sees Stars.” But what
am I supposed to do for No. 5, ”Mama
Gets Trashed?” That book opens in the city dump. Must I dress in a Hefty
bag, and dip up punch from a trash can? Be careful with costumes!
question, three years after I dressed in hideously tacky wedding attire to
promote Book No. 3, ”Mama Gets Hitched.” Not only did I get a permanent
neck crick from plopping five pounds of pearls, ribbons, and tulle on my head,
the wedding hat became a hard act to follow. Sure, a feather boa and diva
sunglasses worked for the movie theme of No. 4, ”Mama Sees Stars.” But what
am I supposed to do for No. 5, ”Mama
Gets Trashed?” That book opens in the city dump. Must I dress in a Hefty
bag, and dip up punch from a trash can? Be careful with costumes!
5. The quality
of your first book is key to the success of your series. Fortunately, I
had lots of time — and a fantastic critique group — to polish and improve my
first title. I only realized later most series readers start at No. 1, no
matter which book the author may be promoting. That one establishes the characters
and the foundation for everything that follows. If No. 1 is a sloppy rush job,
readers won’t pick up No. 2. All aspiring writers hear this advice.
Listen, because it’s absolutely true: Write the best book you can, right out of
the gate.
of your first book is key to the success of your series. Fortunately, I
had lots of time — and a fantastic critique group — to polish and improve my
first title. I only realized later most series readers start at No. 1, no
matter which book the author may be promoting. That one establishes the characters
and the foundation for everything that follows. If No. 1 is a sloppy rush job,
readers won’t pick up No. 2. All aspiring writers hear this advice.
Listen, because it’s absolutely true: Write the best book you can, right out of
the gate.
One lesson I’m
struggling with now is how real life can intrude on our writing lives.
struggling with now is how real life can intrude on our writing lives.
I write a funny
mystery series. When sad things happen, it’s hard to be funny. Within the span
of a year, my mother’s failing health and dementia forced me to place her in
assisted living. I had to sell the house where Mom — my muse! — lived for 65
years; the house where I was raised. Meanwhile, my husband’s mother was dying
of cancer. We were at her bedside when she passed away. Nothing funny about any
of that.
mystery series. When sad things happen, it’s hard to be funny. Within the span
of a year, my mother’s failing health and dementia forced me to place her in
assisted living. I had to sell the house where Mom — my muse! — lived for 65
years; the house where I was raised. Meanwhile, my husband’s mother was dying
of cancer. We were at her bedside when she passed away. Nothing funny about any
of that.
I decided to take a
break from writing the series. My editor at Midnight Ink has been kind enough
to leave the door open should Mace, Mama, and the gang from Himmarshee, Fla., want to
come back. I’ve had some time lately to slow down, so I’ve been thinking of
things I wish I knew back when.
break from writing the series. My editor at Midnight Ink has been kind enough
to leave the door open should Mace, Mama, and the gang from Himmarshee, Fla., want to
come back. I’ve had some time lately to slow down, so I’ve been thinking of
things I wish I knew back when.
How about you? What
lessons have you learned along the way that you wish you’d known at the start?
lessons have you learned along the way that you wish you’d known at the start?
Florida native Deborah Sharp
is the author of the funny, southern-flavored Mace Bauer Mysteries, featuring Mace’s wacky mama. She
lives with husband Kerry Sanders in Fort Lauderdale, where she spends her time chasing
the iguanas out of her hibiscus.
is the author of the funny, southern-flavored Mace Bauer Mysteries, featuring Mace’s wacky mama. She
lives with husband Kerry Sanders in Fort Lauderdale, where she spends her time chasing
the iguanas out of her hibiscus.
Elizabeth – Thanks for hosting Deborah.
Deborah – Thanks for sharing the lessons that you’ve learned about publishing. They all make sense. A writing career really does begin with the publication of the first novel…
Hi Deborah! Thanks so much for guest posting today. I wanted to tell you how much this post rang true for me. The hurry-up-and-wait of publishing, the slog of promo. The quirkiness! Yes, ask me about a motorcycle-helmet wearing recurring character sometime. :)
I’m so sorry, though, that you’ve had such a rough last year. Yes, it must be incredibly hard to be funny sometimes. I’m glad you could take a break, be reflective, and that Midnight Ink worked with you on that. Hugs.
Great post Deborah (and Elizabeth). If only writers could just write and leave the other work to well…others. BTW, I love the titles of your books. I haven’t read any of them. I need to do that.
They’re drawn from one’s setting? I need to market harder to Cassans then.
I’ve learned to plan ahead. More specifically, plan a next book.
I can see where a bigger setting might draw some readers, I’m not sure. I’ll remember that about not dressing up!!! :)
Sorry to hear about your losses. I’m sure it would be hard to find a funny bone during that time!
I would have posted my responses earlier, but I’ve been laughing, picturing Elizabeth in that character’s motorcycle helmet. Thanks so much for having me here today.
Michael, I’m enjoying the luxury of concluding my thoughts since in the newspaper biz, editors would often cut stories for space, clipping off from the bottom. There goes the conclusion, grrrr!
Laura, truly, if you haven’t started theme ”dressing”, don’t do it!!
Margot, make the first one incredible … that’s the key lesson, I think.
Alex: HA! Marketing to Cassans…maybe the Insecure Writers’ Support Group can help you with that ;-) (LOVE,love that, BTW. I started one as a joke for Authors Who’ve Lost Control of Their Fictional Characters.
I learned SO many things during the publication of my first novel, it’s hard to know where to start. Three, in particular, come to mind.
#1. Don’t tell everyone the release date is solid. My publisher had an issue with the printer and it was delayed a month.
#2. Don’t stress on the cover art. Some publishers give the author no input. It’s just the way it is.
#3. Strive for perfection, but don’t expect it. Between my friends, relatives, editors, and me — Resolve was proofread dozens of times. Upon publication, I found one error in the spelling of a street name and I found one continuity error when I listened to the audiobook. But, you know what… I can read books by Vince Flynn, John Verdon, etc. and I’ll find typos and similar errors. It happens.
Hi Deborah,
I’m so sorry that you had such a difficult year.
I appreciate all that I have learned from you, and after you have had some rest, I look forward to whatever follows Mama!
Terrie
Congratulations on the release of Mama Gets Trashed, Deborah, and thank you for the helpful tips.
I wish you and your family the best.
Someone had suggested I dress as my main character in the first book of my series at signings. No way I am wearing a bathing suit to a book signing though! Glad I didn’t start that tradition.
Ha! L. Diane: You were smart not to go there re: the bathing suit. Once at a booksigning at Fort Lauderdale beach, I thought (and then thought better of it ) about hiring a total bikini babe to sell my books, kind of like the ”shots” girls who peddle booze at bars.
OOOh, Hensley Books: Really good tips. ”Dont stress over cover art” is so true. I had lots of input at first, and then less when my pub decided to re-work and update my covers. You know what? It’s all good!
Terrie: thanks for the kind words and well wishes … I bet Mama comes a’knockin again, sooner rather than later.
Teresa: Yes, I’d love to have an ”everything else” writer’s aide! PS on my titles … I love them, too, and I’ve been lucky that my pub kept each one I wanted. Many don’t.
Thanks, Jeanne, for the comment. It’s nice to meet the readers of Elizabeth’s blog. Lots of good, practical advice here.
Hi Deborah,
Sorry to hear about your rough time with family!
I wish I’d known more about branding so I could’ve set it up better when I published my first book. I didn’t get it right and I’m struggling to get it done before self-publishing my series.
Interesting what you said about location. My series is set in Cayman where I live which doesn’t have a huge population, but I’m hoping to market it (and myself) for global appeal. Fingers crossed!
Love your advice about costumes. I’m sticking with themed swag instead. :-)
Such great advice. I can only imagine how impossible it would be to write funny when sad things are happening in your life. I wish you the best with that.
I found your blog quite interesting and the concern in the blog is really impressive. Thanks for sharing.
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