It's Not As Easy As You Think

Today's post is going out to those of you still in search of that first publishing contact, although it will likely work with those of you who are just starting out in the publishing industry.

Getting a book published is not an easy process. I know, I am being Captain Obvious here, but this goes far deeper than simply the process of writing a book and submitting it. The things your book has to go through just to get to the bookshelf involves a lot more than you think. I do personally believe that the world of self-publishing has created this misinformation and myth that going from your manuscript to a completed book is just as easy as a Kindle Digital Press upload. I would also add that many of the people in the self-publishing field who argue the ease and speed of getting things published are leaving out a few details.

Let me explain it this way. If you are like my wife, she loves watching HGTV and all of the home make over programs. Drew & Jonathon, or Tarek and Christina, in a simple 30 minute episode can make a $150,000 profit just like that! Of course publishing is just that easy.

Ummmm, NOT!

Those HGTV shows are leaving off the fact that this process started easily 6 months before since they needed to get all of those permits to do the work. They leave off the fact that they have entire teams doing work that a regular person would have to do on their own. They leave off the costs of things the television show is picking up for marketing purposes. They leave off the fact that the beautifully staged home is taken down after the taping and you don't get to keep any of it, unless you wish to purchase it from them (go and check Magnolia Prices).

There are so many variables that new authors completely forget about when it comes to getting their book published. And note, these variables are not just things with your book, but things the editorial team on the other end have to work through as well.

I just completed a 5 book deal with one of my authors. When we first started talking, it was looking like there was going to be a gap between a couple of books. For this author, we just did not want to do that. We have found that the closer the release dates, the better sales are all around! Now, on the surface, it is easy to simply say we want a different schedule, but then the variables come into play.

• How many other authors have books that need to be released?
• Are there authors with higher priority?
• Is there space in the line-up?

What seems like an easy solution just does not become that easy.

Consider getting feedback from editors and agents on your submissions... You wrote the book and your critique partners were easily able to get back to you with extensive notes on things that needed to get changed in a single weekend. Why does it take 3+ months to hear back from those editors and agents?

• They are working with their established clients
• They are meeting with marketing teams and art departments
• They are (or were until Covid) attending workshops/conferences that you invited them to
• They are judging contests that you invited them to.
• They too have a life and a family

I want you to understand that in no way do I want this to sound like I am making an excuse. I just want you to think of all those "other pieces" that will slow down what you think is a relatively easy process. 

Just a reality check for a Monday!