by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
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| MorgueFile–MitchLee83 |
When I was a kid, my favorite part on
Sesame Street was a
segment where the baker fell down the stairs. I’d call my parents or just yank them into
our living room so that they could watch it with me. It was a counting to ten song and the grand
finale was a mustachioed baker singing, “Ten chocolate layer cakes!” and then
tumbling down a staircase. Yes, it took
little to amuse me.
I think the reason this segment resonated
so much with me is because I’m desperately clumsy and have been my entire
life. I regularly fall down the stairs
in my house (my husband just shakes his head and says, “We’re moving to a
garden home in the next ten years….”), walk smack into doorjambs, and have
wrecks with my cart in the grocery store.
so much with me is because I’m desperately clumsy and have been my entire
life. I regularly fall down the stairs
in my house (my husband just shakes his head and says, “We’re moving to a
garden home in the next ten years….”), walk smack into doorjambs, and have
wrecks with my cart in the grocery store.
There are things that I’ve done to
minimize my risk of getting hurt, knowing what I know about myself. I won’t walk down our stairs while holding
things in both hands. I don’t get up on
skis of any kind. I don’t ride
horses. I wouldn’t dream of getting on a
bike without a helmet or walking a treadmill without that stupid safety clip
attached to my waistband.
minimize my risk of getting hurt, knowing what I know about myself. I won’t walk down our stairs while holding
things in both hands. I don’t get up on
skis of any kind. I don’t ride
horses. I wouldn’t dream of getting on a
bike without a helmet or walking a treadmill without that stupid safety clip
attached to my waistband.
Being a fairly cautious person, I’ve
approached risk the same way with my writing career. A note—this won’t apply to every writer and
you probably won’t enjoy this unless you’re super-cautious like I am. There are
many creative free spirits who will thrive by forging their own path. I’m just not one of them.
approached risk the same way with my writing career. A note—this won’t apply to every writer and
you probably won’t enjoy this unless you’re super-cautious like I am. There are
many creative free spirits who will thrive by forging their own path. I’m just not one of them.
Minimizing
risk of failure and rejection as a writer:
risk of failure and rejection as a writer:
Traditional publishing and
self-publishing. I do both. I’m hedging my bets, covering my bases,
whatever cliché you want to use. :)
self-publishing. I do both. I’m hedging my bets, covering my bases,
whatever cliché you want to use. :)
Deciding what to write. I learned that the books I most enjoyed
reading were in strong demand and considered commercially viable. I read more of them to learn more about how
the books were structured and paced. In
addition, I learned that genre books were easier to sell to publishers because
the books already had an established audience…readers who were dedicated
“regulars” for a particular genre and loyally purchased books each month that
fit that category.
reading were in strong demand and considered commercially viable. I read more of them to learn more about how
the books were structured and paced. In
addition, I learned that genre books were easier to sell to publishers because
the books already had an established audience…readers who were dedicated
“regulars” for a particular genre and loyally purchased books each month that
fit that category.
Finding a traditional publisher. I did my market research by going to the
bookstore, flipping through the new mysteries and finding out who published and
edited them (editor is in the acknowledgments unless author forgot.) Reading the books gave me a sense of what was
currently selling. This helped me minimize my risk of rejection by seeing who
was buying and editing what.
bookstore, flipping through the new mysteries and finding out who published and
edited them (editor is in the acknowledgments unless author forgot.) Reading the books gave me a sense of what was
currently selling. This helped me minimize my risk of rejection by seeing who
was buying and editing what.
Querying agents. I ignored any “no simultaneous submissions”
and targeted as many agents who stated they handled my subgenre as possible.
and targeted as many agents who stated they handled my subgenre as possible.
Querying publishers. After racking up an impressive number of
rejections from agents, I queried targeted publishers (using the research I’d
gathered in the bookstore as well as online and in my copy of Writer’s Market.) If they were closed to submissions…I sent
something off to their slush pile anyway (blushes.) Here again, I was just covering my bases
with both agents and publishers. And if
you’re sending to a slush pile (a repository of unrequested queries, samples,
and submissions), the process will take forever anyway.
rejections from agents, I queried targeted publishers (using the research I’d
gathered in the bookstore as well as online and in my copy of Writer’s Market.) If they were closed to submissions…I sent
something off to their slush pile anyway (blushes.) Here again, I was just covering my bases
with both agents and publishers. And if
you’re sending to a slush pile (a repository of unrequested queries, samples,
and submissions), the process will take forever anyway.
Promo.
As a risk-adverse person, the idea of doing aggressive promo made me
shudder. Wouldn’t this turn potential
readers off? I couldn’t take that risk,
so I went with indirect promo/platform building.
As a risk-adverse person, the idea of doing aggressive promo made me
shudder. Wouldn’t this turn potential
readers off? I couldn’t take that risk,
so I went with indirect promo/platform building.
Self-publishing. What was risky for self-publishing? Having a lousy cover. It seemed that I would have a higher chance
for success with a professional-looking cover, formatting, and editing. The cheaper approach seemed at a higher risk
for failure.
for success with a professional-looking cover, formatting, and editing. The cheaper approach seemed at a higher risk
for failure.
Series were selling well for
self-publishing. I decided to continue
writing a discontinued series instead of starting something new…again, the
least-risky approach.
self-publishing. I decided to continue
writing a discontinued series instead of starting something new…again, the
least-risky approach.
Reader expectations. Cozy mystery readers are loyal readers and
very interactive ones. I have generally
taken their lead when they tell me what they like and don’t like about my
books…tweaking future books to make them more appealing and to give them more
of what they like and less of what they didn’t.
I also follow my genre’s general guidelines in terms of content…keeping
the necessary violence in a mystery toned down.
very interactive ones. I have generally
taken their lead when they tell me what they like and don’t like about my
books…tweaking future books to make them more appealing and to give them more
of what they like and less of what they didn’t.
I also follow my genre’s general guidelines in terms of content…keeping
the necessary violence in a mystery toned down.
Researching. Admittedly, I’m a researching nut. I’m not going to try the waters of anything unless I’ve got information
(preferably hard data) on it. Trying out
ACX/audiobooks? Exploring print as a
self-pubber? Backing off from traditional publishing and devoting more time
into self-pub? I’m reading everything I
can on the subjects: dos and don’ts, tips, disaster stories, success stories,
etc. And I follow publishing news
closely, to see what might be coming around the bend at us.
(preferably hard data) on it. Trying out
ACX/audiobooks? Exploring print as a
self-pubber? Backing off from traditional publishing and devoting more time
into self-pub? I’m reading everything I
can on the subjects: dos and don’ts, tips, disaster stories, success stories,
etc. And I follow publishing news
closely, to see what might be coming around the bend at us.
Creative exploration. I’m getting to the point where I’ll likely
start branching out and experimenting…cautiously, I’ve no doubt. And…more than likely with a pen name since my
name has become so associated with traditional mysteries.
start branching out and experimenting…cautiously, I’ve no doubt. And…more than likely with a pen name since my
name has become so associated with traditional mysteries.
The biggest risk of all? Pinning all your hopes and dreams on a single
book. More about this on Friday.
book. More about this on Friday.
Let’s face it…being an artist is a risky
enough proposition without making things worse—especially for us cautious
types. While I don’t enjoy failure, I do learn from it and analyze what went wrong so I can perform better the next time. That being said…I’d rather avoid it when I can.
enough proposition without making things worse—especially for us cautious
types. While I don’t enjoy failure, I do learn from it and analyze what went wrong so I can perform better the next time. That being said…I’d rather avoid it when I can.
Now I’d like to hear from y’all on
this…my free spirited, risk-taking friends, too! What’s your approach to writing and
publishing? Has it changed at all?
this…my free spirited, risk-taking friends, too! What’s your approach to writing and
publishing? Has it changed at all?
Hi Elizabeth – well I’m glad those tumbles resulted in little more than admonishment from your hubby .. and the realisation in his head that a garden home (bungalow, we call them!) might be a good option for his dearly beloved wife!
You’ve always come across as professional, being prepared while you do move forward .. so being cautious perhaps, but you do it with a great deal of thought.
I love being a part of your blog and being able to read your thoughts on trends in the book business … thanks for posting .. cheers Hilary
Elizabeth – I think you have some great ideas for avoiding risks in the publishing world. Rejection can be rougher than a fall down the stairs…
I’m not a huge risk-taker myself when it comes to trying to get my work ‘out there.’ And I couldn’t agree with you more about a low-key approach to promo. I do sometimes take risks with my writing. For instance I’ll experiment with different kinds of characters. I think my risk-taking side comes out more when I write.
I don’t know if I’m a risk taker or not, but I TOO fall a lot, run into doors, and other related accidents. Some of my family, have even cautioned me recently that while my deck is being rebuilt not to walk out on its boardless state.
What I do know for sure is that I’m not sure that I should expect real people to buy my words. Because of this mindset, I continue to learn how to write hopefull for the better.
Elizabeth, you always come across as so practical, thorough, and professional. I admire that!
Have you done a post about how you started writing/when you started seriously submitting?
-Megan M.
Hilary–A bungalow! Perfect. :) Sounds much cozier than a garden home.
I really appreciate your kindness in always dropping by the blog! And I love popping by yours…I always learn something there when I do.
My experience with publishing (both traditional and self publishing) is that everything takes a whole lot longer than I expect it to. And costs more than I expect it to.
But as you said, that’s one of the risks you need to take if you want to be successful.
There are literally millions of books available, so it takes a lot of work and a fair amount of money to get yours noticed.
My feeling is that whatever makes you stand out is worth the effort. If it’s what everyone else is doing (tweeting out reviews, Facebook giveaways, etc.), then you’re just another unknown author vying for attention.
Now if you can just tell us that sure-fire, never fails, works every time marketing method, I’d be much obliged.
Judy5cents–Everything moves glacially in publishing, doesn’t it?
Discoverability…that’s a big problem we’re going to face, going into the future. You’re right. I think the best way we can stand out is with our content–what we’re publishing and putting out there. For me, I think I’m starting to stand out because of volume and consistency. My books are very consistent–not in a boring way (I hope!) but hopefully in a comforting, old slipper way.
Marketing–oh, Judy, I wish I knew! Readers seem to be on Facebook and Pinterest…neither of which is a favorite of mine. I enjoy Twitter, but I don’t think readers are there. Goodreads is sort of a dark alley for writers (very strong critical reviewing there), but I think my giveaway there was very successful and there are gobs and gobs of readers there. Now that Amazon has bought it, I’m thinking it might become an even better place to interact with readers.
Thanks for coming by!
Margot–Rejection can hurt a *lot* more than a fall down the stairs! And…you know, I’ve not been at all risky with my content at all. Not a bit. But it’s coming! And it scares me a little to think about writing something very, very different.
Teresa–I think we were separated at birth! When you’ve blogged about falling down, I’ve just nodded my head. I’ve been there so many times!
I think you *should* expect the general reading public to buy your books. I’ve read your stories and they’re solid. It takes time to build up a readership, but it’s so worth it.
Megan–Thanks! No, I don’t think I’ve ever posted on that. I should. Thanks for the suggestion!
I think you’ve done a great job. I’m not as risk averse as you are, but I am to some degree. I’ve held off on self-publishing, even though I’ve fairly surely decided it will be the appropriate medium for at least some of my work, but I believe what you do–a MIX is optimum, and by MIX, I don’t mean just the one contract traditionally. I’d like ALL my mystery to be traditional… not sure yet on my YA… and then my other adult stuff will most likely be self published… I AM considering serial though… strongly… and that feels a little risky. But I will have the safety net of real editors and such when I jump…
Not a risk taker either! My genre might not be a big seller, but it’s what I know and what my fans would expect. If I keep writing, it will still be space opera.
I have similar clumsiness problems. I long ago discovered that if I ignore that I just walked into something, those around me will blink and assume that they didn’t just see that.
My parents always assumed my hand-eye coordination was terrible, although I’m naturally good at video games and can easily knit—forwards and backwards.
My actual problem is that I have no depth perception. Photograph, both eyes open, one eye open—the perspective all looks the same to me. (One reason I was glad I got a MacBook pre-Retina. I don’t need any more confusion, thanks.)
Also turns out that I have dyscalculia (dyslexia with numbers) if not dyslexia altogether. I’ve suspected it a long time, because when I was given tutoring training in elementary school, I was told “Do this for dyslexic kids,” and they were things I did already.
So I made it through school, consistently near or at the top of my class, self-correcting for dyscalculia if not dyslexia.
And now? I’m actually an editor and proofreader. I’m not the fastest ever—doubtless because of all the self-correcting I do to cover for my weak spots—but I’m far from the slowest.
Too often, we view our weak point as limitations, rather than as things to cope with. I dislike cooking, but due to various dietary and budget issues, I must cook. So I focus on finding recipes that take minimal time for maximum flavor.
Ten tiny turtles
talking on the telephone line…
Alas, I had to learn these little ditties in college. Much better than the alma mater.
Hmmm… Now I’m wondering if I’m risk-averse too. :) I don’t think I play it safe as much as play it smart. Although I have to say I LOVE that you ignore “no simultaneous submissions” when querying agents. Ha! Based on that alone, I guess I’m a risk taker — or maybe just a rule follower. :)
Want to know how cautious I am? I think of you as the ultimate risk taker! That may surprise you. But I’m amazed at how you’re carving your own path, and I appreciate how you’ve shared it with the rest of us.
Hart–Serials are risky…but then you can compile them later in a single volume. So not so risky at the end!
Alex–And you’ll still have fans!
Carradee–I think you have a very courageous approach! And I think it’s fantastic that you’re now and editor and that you overcame so much to get there! And an editor who is slow is perfect…that’s what we want. Slow and thorough. You’re very inspirational!
People will generally rush over to see if they can help if I fall down the stairs in public (which, thankfully, I haven’t done in a while). That’s a hitch with living in the Southern US! Lots of “Are you okay, sugar?s” :) They definitely don’t seem willing to play along that nothing happened…ha!
Self-correcting is what I SHOULD do. My parents signed me up for dancing, but I was a horror in dance for 6 years. I think I need to start doing yoga stuff or something. Right now I don’t really get hurt….but I’m 42. My time for getting hurt is on its way!
j welling–She sells seashells on the seashore. :) 4 years of speech therapy and then another when my braces came off in middle school. I’m starting to think you and I may have been separated at birth.
Dina–Ha! Well, that’s one of those rules I thought was pretty silly and I tend to ignore silly stuff. I figured, “What’s the worst that can come out of this situation? If I end up with *2* agents?” Yeah, that would be a real problem. :)
Julie–That makes me smile! Thanks.
I live in the Southeastern US, too. I get a lot of “Are you sure?”s when I tumble down stairs in public, which fortunately doesn’t happen often. I wear good shoes and use the railing whenever I can. *smile*
I tried yoga for a short while, and it actually did help, I suspect because it gave me better fine-motor control. (I didn’t continue for reasons that are incredibly off-topic, so I won’t go into them.)
I had speech therapy, too. My s‘s weren’t quite right all the time (something I’m told I picked up from my mother), and I’m a clusterer. I’ve gotten the latter problem mostly under control, but if you put me in a room with another clusterer, I won’t be able to finish a sentence.
Carradee–Good shoes do help, don’t they? I have been way too fond of flip flops (which now I only wear when there are no stairs!)
Maybe I’ll do yoga with the Wii. :)
I still lisp when I’m tired or stressed. Funny how that tends to crop back up sometimes.
From the age of 3 to 43 my life was the equivalent of wearing a belt AND suspenders, and having my pants fall down anyway.
Now, I jump out of the airplane with a silk worm instead of a parachute. Haven’t gotten hurt yet, which means I’m not taking enough risks with my art or my business.
I use fear as my compass: if I’m afraid of something, and I can’t find a logical reason for it (and Best Beloved can’t either) then I run toward it as fast as I can.
The past 10 years have been more fun and more productive than the previous 40 were. I’m planning on upping my game and achieving complete insanity before I’m 60.
Joel–Now *that* is really cool! And it scares me to death. :) I don’t think I’m there yet. Maybe I’ll stop being cautious soon, though. Maybe!
Baby steps. Take one thing that you KNOW is an irrational fear, and take one baby step toward it. When you see that nothing bad happens (because it won’t) it builds your confidence.
Nobody dives the rocks at Acapulco on their first swimming lesson. Ya sorta build up to it, y’know?