Managing your feelings as debut author
Something a bit different from websites this week! I thought it was time for a break from the technical stuff, and time to talk about the whole experience of getting a book deal, so here’s an exclusive extract from my ebook The Debut Author’s Survival Guide!
It’s an experience unlike any other, finally being told that your novel is going to be published. And because of that, it’s quite hard to work out how you should feel.
First of all allow me to remind you of a few things:
you deserve this
no one has done you a favour
you are not going to be ‘found out’
Now, I’m by no means an expert on this, but, alongside my own experience, I’ve spoken to many debut authors over the years and here are a few things I’ve taken away:
It’s OK not to be ecstatic
It’s normal not to feel euphoria. It’s such an intangible thing, getting a book deal, and you’ve probably been through an insane rollercoaster ride to get here, resulting in you feeling a little, well, worn out. Overwhelmed. Relieved?
All of these feelings are totally normal, and if you don’t feel ecstatically happy right now, don’t worry, that feeling will sneak up on you when you least expect it. I promise!
Celebrate the small moments
If I could give you any advice about making the most of the time before your book is released it would be to celebrate the small moments.
Signing your contract. Being paid your first advance or royalty sum. Seeing your book listed on Amazon for the first time. Getting your first blurb quote from an author you admire.
All of these are milestones – small but not insignificant, and it’s well worth taking time to reflect as you experience them.
Anxiety is normal
That’s it really. It’s completely normal to feel anxious about every part of the publishing process. Our agents and publishers can help alleviate some of the more practical worries, but as writers, we’re completely in control of our writing, our characters, their worlds and their stories, but once published, we have little-to- no control over the way our book is received. So of course you feel anxious.
Again, don’t beat yourself up about this.
Take the pressure off
And on that note – don’t beat yourself up about anything. So you don’t feel as happy as you’d hoped? That’s fine. Friends and family keep telling you you must be beside yourself with joy, but you’re not feeling it? Smile and let it go. No one understands this experience but other authors. Which leads me neatly onto my next point...
Find an author buddy/buddies/tribe
I cannot emphasise this enough! It’s incredibly helpful to have other debut authors on speed-email for those moments when you feel lost or overwhelmed. Author friends truly are the best friends – my first year as an author would have been utterly miserable without them.
If you don’t know any other authors, ask your agent or editor if they can pair you up with someone – most authors would be more than happy to chat to you!
Remember the goalposts constantly shift
Fair warning – once you’ve been offered your book deal, you’ve achieved Your Dream. And what happens when you achieve your dream? You get a new dream. The goal posts shift. Suddenly it’s not enough to have a book deal. Now you want to be a lead title. And how come you’re not getting a hardback?
When you strive for something for so long and then achieve it, it leaves a hole that your cruel writerly brain has to fill. Don’t worry, just know that every author experiences this. Every author wants more. It’s what keeps us writing (and made us able to write a book in the first place).
Write your next book
Yes, really, the way through all this madness is to do what you do best – get your head down and get back to work. It’s so helpful to have at least a draft of your second book finished before your first one is published. The publication process can be incredibly distracting and make it really hard to concentrate on anything else.
I was so pleased to have written my second book before my first was released. It reassured me that I could do it more than once, and it meant I could take a bit of a breather during my publication month. It made my publisher pretty happy too!
Don’t compare yourself
Here’s a brutal truth: there will always be someone out there with a bigger book deal, bigger career, bigger advance, more translation rights... don’t even think about comparing yourself to them. You’re on your own journey (sorry to go all X Factor on you). Focus on that.
Hope these points have provided a little bit of reassurance and made you feel less alone. I’m always on Twitter @charduck if you want to chat more about this stuff, and don’t forget too to download The Debut Author’s Survival Guide for more tips and advice!
