Sometimes It Is All About Timing

Not only are there a ton of variables when it comes to publishing and finding success in this business, there is also the issue of timing. There are a lot of writers out there who found success, not so much because they were amazing writers at the time, but the simple fact that they were in the right place at the right time.

Yesterday, on NPR, I heard an interview with a man who just wrote a book about the history of television that proved just this. He was talking about why Milton Berle really found success. He noted that a lot of people openly admitted that he probably wasn't the best performer, but he was in the right place at the right time. The networks needed someone and he was available.

There are a lot of authors out there who just happen to have a story available that matches what an editor wants at a particular time. I remember one RWA conference I attended where I saw a version of this. It was in the height of the huge vampire movement and one editor made a comment in the middle of a panel stating that "if someone out there had a vampire story with teens she would buy it in a heartbeat." Soon after that, TWILIGHT hit the market. Now let me state that editor was not the person buying the book, but they soon had a ton of books that followed.

Did those authors start writing the books when they heard that comment? Probably not. But they had stories that fit the line and were able to submit immediately.

There will be many times when you will hear editors or agents start talking about a new line, or something they want to see badly. You may likely think, I can write that! But my word of caution is to not waste your time. The odds are, by the time you get that story ready to go, the market will have already shifted.

Just wait though. The odds are, there will be a time when the timing is right for you and your story can be the one that gets the attention you want.

It's all a crap-shoot

As many of you know, I am not one to mince words. I personally believe that being honest is important and sometimes the truth does indeed hurt. One of those truths deals with the odds of a writer getting published. I do believe it is these odds that force many authors to dive for deals with publishers that are less that reputable. Those vanity presses begin to look pretty good to someone who has been rejected countless times.

Your getting published is really a matter of being in the right place at the right time. I have said this over and over again, but since it is the new year, it might be time to bring it back up yet again. It is, unfortunately a sad truth that your manuscript may end up in the eyes of an editor or an agent at simply "a bad time." Now please understand that we do our best to approach every manuscript we get with an open eye and a kind heart. I love the comment Christine Whithohn from Book Cents said on twitter recently "Tried to get through 09 submissions by 2010, but refused to rush in order to give everyone a fair shot. Lots of creative peeps out there." It is sooo true, still, there will be times.

Let's talk about chance when things may not go your way...

• I have just read 10 romantic suspenses that were awful. The odds are, I will be in a pretty grumpy mood and the story just won't work for me. If it had been at the top of the pile, things might have been different.
• You send a manuscript to someone right after we just signed someone with a similar story. I don't know how many times this one happens. You missed it by a day.
• Your story was relevant and unique until something in the news now makes it unfashionable. We saw this with airline terrorist stories. After 9/11 it was a no-go.
• You've been working on truly a unique story and then suddenly all the tv studies release movies that do the same thing. Now in the case, the movie ideas were out there a while ago and we forgot about them, until the studios reminded us.

And then there is human nature...

• We are tired but forcing our way through submissions.
• We are sick but still at work (that's the American way you know)

We could go on and on with this list but I think you get the idea. But remember, things could work in your favor.

• An editor or agent happens to be looking for just the story you have.
• You are at a conference and happen to sit next to an editor or agent that no one else has been able to get close to.
• Your agent happens to talk to an editor and the publisher is looking for something to pair with an upcoming release. Talk to Steve Berry on this one and the connection to a little mystery novel set at the Louve... (hint: someting Code)

While it is still important that you do your work and write the best dang story out there, remember that publishing does involve more than simply having a great agent, or fantastic story. That factor of "fate" is still going to play a huge role.

Scott