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A Few Things I've Learned About Books and Publishing That You Should Know, Too
by: Therese Fowler, author of Souvenir (2008) and Reunion (2009)
by: Therese Fowler, author of Souvenir (2008) and Reunion (2009)
You don't have to be in the book biz to be interested in what goes on in the publishing world and how things really work. However, if you are a writer or aspire to be one, you should find these bits especially enlightening; I always say “forewarned is forearmed!”
So here we go:
Getting Into Print
I don't have the statistics, but I think it's fair to say that most people who start writing a novel don't finish it. Those who do finish usually want to see their work published, and that usually requires the help of a literary agent, i.e. the person who represents the author in negotiations with publishers—who for the most part won't deal directly with authors anymore. So consider this: On average, 97% of what writers send to literary agents in hopes of gaining representation gets rejected by those agents. Of the 3% of completed novels that do get representation, 95% of those will be rejected by most if not all of the editors/publishers who receive the manuscript from the agent trying to sell it. I suspect it's easier, and probably less painful, to get bitten by a shark.
Selling Books to Readers
What's more, for those books that do see print, a great many of them are not considered “commercial” enough to be stocked by the major book stores. And when they do get stocked, it's often only for a “season” (especially if the book is hardcover), unless the book and author become in wide demand. For new authors, reaching that wide-demand pinnacle almost always requires exceptionally good luck in the form of major publicity and marketing coups. It happens—but only to a few books each year. The good news is that most books remain available through online retailers as long as readers keep buying them, even if at a slower rate than the “popular” books.
How Readers Can Help
New authors' careers are precariously dependent on readers buying their books NEW, from recognized retailers and book stores. When you buy books used, or from secondhand retailers, the author gets no credit for that book sold, nor any portion of the proceeds. Borrow from the library if you want to “try before you buy” and then, if you enjoyed the book, consider buying it (new) as an investment in that author's future career. Even if you don't or can't buy a copy of the book, please at least tell a friend you enjoyed it! Word-of-mouth recommendations are invaluable to new authors.
Sure-fire Success
The most common response I get when someone learns I'm a novelist: “You should get your book on Oprah!” And I would, but here's the thing: Approximately 50,000 new works of fiction are published each year (which includes new books by established authors, as well as children's fiction, Young Adult fiction, and those genre paperbacks we used to call “dime-store novels”). Obviously not all of these are prospects for Oprah, but a couple thousand are. I'll keep working on it.
Rinse, Repeat?
As I said above, it's difficult to write an entire novel, difficult to find a literary agent, difficult to get a publishing deal, and extremely difficult to get Oprah's attention. But did you know that once a writer gets published, there's no guarantee they'll get published again? If their first or previous book(s) didn't sell especially well, publishers will rarely jump to buy their next book. Even when they have a publishing contract in place, if what they've written doesn't suit their publisher they're (often) out of luck. Exceptions to this include Sara Gruen's third novel Water for Elephants, which was turned down by the publisher of her first two novels but picked up by a new publisher for a pretty modest advance—making its eventual blockbuster success that much more ironic.
Show Me the Money—Please
Speaking of advances—which is the money the publisher pays the author up front for the rights to publish a novel: Sara Gruen may be getting more than five million dollars for her next two books, but the average advance is around $10,000. Only a handful of the thousands of writers having books published each year are earning enough to support themselves. This is a big part of why it's so important to buy books new!
Wheat and Chaff
Some books get the benefit of great editing and multiple readers' input before publication, and some don't. A book is only ever as good as the individuals who put it together (at minimum, author, editor, copyeditor) and because that's true, quality varies widely. I don't mean to disparage anyone—getting published at all is an accomplishment—but most people in publishing agree that there are too many poorly done books being published these days, and it's very difficult for readers to differentiate between them before spending their hard-earned dollars and valuable time. So again, if and when you find a book and/or author you enjoy, tell your friends! You'll be doing both your friends and that author a huge favor.
Two-for-one Deal
Think of your favorite book of all time. Think of why you love it. Think of the escape and companionship, the lessons and inspiration, that novels can provide. We need stories, and we need books, which means we need writers. If you want to become one, I encourage you to do it! For the rest of you, I encourage you to support authors—especially those of us in the early stages of our careers—and in doing so, you'll be supporting book stores too. It's a great deal for you: at the very least, you'll get good karma and a good read.
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About Therese Fowler:
Therese Fowler has believed in the magic of a good story since she learned to read at the age of four. At age thirty, as a newly single parent, she put herself into college, earning a degree in sociology (and finding her real Mr. Right) before deciding to scratch her longtime fiction-writing itch. That led to an MFA in creative writing, and the composition of stories that explore the nature of our families, our culture, our mistakes, and our desires. The author of two novels, with a third scheduled for 2010, Therese lives in Wake Forest, NC, with her supportive husband and sons, and two largely indifferent cats. You can visit her website at http://www.theresefowler.com or her blog, http://www.theresefowler.blogspot.com
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About Reunion:
Following the acclaimed success of Souvenir, Therese Fowler’s captivating new novel will resonate with every woman who has wondered what if—as a heartfelt drama of buried secrets and daring passion unfolds.
Celebrity talk show host Blue Reynolds is the queen of daytime television—she is smart, funny, and as down-to-earth as her adoring fans. In the eyes of the world, she has it all. But no one knows about the secret she has harbored for the last twenty years—a secret that could destroy her image, her reputation, and her career. Twenty years ago, she gave birth to a son and put him up for adoption through illegal channels. And every day since, she’s been filled with regret. Now Blue has hired a private investigator to find her son, knowing full well the consequences.
A week in Key West to do her show on location brings Blue a much-needed change of pace—and an unexpected reunion with an old flame, Mitch Forrester. Helping him launch a television series may help her recapture the kind of genuine romance and affection long missing from her life. But it also means having to deal with Mitch’s disapproving son, Julian, who is only nine years younger than Blue. Emotionally battered from his years as a war photographer in the world’s most dangerous hotspots, Julian struggles to get close to his father while making his disdain for Blue crystal clear—which makes his desire for her all the more shocking.
As serendipity and scandal collide, Therese Fowler’s passionate, illuminating novel takes a dramatic turn deep into our own hearts, as the healing power of love—family love, romantic love, and self-love—transforms pain and regrets into promises and second chances.
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Win Prizes!
Win Prizes!
REUNION VIRTUAL BLOG TOUR '09 will officially begin on May 4 and end on May 29. You can visit Therese's blog stops at www.virtualbooktours.wordpress.com in May to find out more about this talented author!
As a special promotion for all our authors, Pump Up Your Book Promotion is giving away a FREE virtual book tour to a published author or a $50 Amazon gift certificate to those not published who comments on our authors' blog stops. More prizes will be announced as they become available.
2 comments:
It's funny how some of the most known careers are the lowest paying. Many people think writers make all kinds of money. Too bad that's not true!
What a great guest post! this book is on my TBR list already!!
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