Tag Archives: getting published

On (Eeek!) Being Seen


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I was messaging with my sister this morning and telling her about my book self-promotion (which I dread) and my reaching out to a local bookstore to maybe take some copies. I typed “I feel afraid.”

She asked, “What are you afraid of?” and after a pause I told her I was afraid a. of them just laughing at me or b. them offering to carry my book. No way to win, I added.

But it’s a strange thing, being seen for creative things. It’s like you pour your brains and heart out onto paper or artwork, and then you have to step back and wait for people to look at them, comment, accept or dismiss them. It’s not like doing any other work I can remember, in terms of soul-wrenching.

I remember when I started in this writing gig, I used to send out self-addressed envelopes with submissions (yes, I am that old). I was living in tiny Annapolis Royal, NS at the time, and the postmasters all knew me. They also knew that if the envelope came back fat, that meant they’d refused my submission. If it came back thin, that meant there was a cheque enclosed.

So they’d wait to see me coming, all smiles if the skinny envelope had found its way to my mailbox. It was totally heartening and cheering.

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Truth is, this kind of support doesn’t often happen. I’ve been so lucky with Spit & Polish that people are liking it, buying it, telling others about it. Not everyone, mind you, but enough people to make the experience encouraging.

But I still feel nervous, being seen. Having to trot my soul out for acceptance. Like most authors, I believe, every time you put something out you are being seen anew. Have you grown ugly chin hairs (rather too appropriate for me at this age)? Or are you swinging in with aplomb and grace?

Fingers crossed I don’t end up with proverbial lettuce in my teeth (as seems to happen more often as I age, but I digress) (and avoid arugula like the plague) as I step forward, waving Spit & Polish and my well-loved characters as I go… I’m already started on the sequel and need the endorphin rush of positive reviews…

Buy me? Or, hey, check out Somewhat Grumpy Press and their other books…

Taking editing in the spirit in which it’s intended, or Humber week three


rocks1-2Back many years ago, I used to work for a boss who was capable of rendering me incoherent. I don’t know what it was, but when I would bring something I’d written into her office, she’s cut and thrash all of what I’d done and I’d go all quiet and destroyed and sad and broken and, silent, head back to my humble desk and plot revenge. In a passive aggressive way.

I was a published writer, I thought to myself. I had the clips to show for it. I wrote regularly for the US ARMY Times, I had articles in magazines all over. How dare she tell me how to write??? The gall.

But after a while, I realized she was right. I wasn’t writing in the right style. I was sloppy and overconfident. She edited and edited and I learned and learned. Eventually I learned to take criticism, to sacrifice my darlings without a qualm. Mind you, when I was sending things in to the magazines I was pretty easy about things, too, but they were paying me for my story and I was so over the moon I smiled and thanked them even as I signed over copyright in perpetuity for $100.

It was harder when I was writing stuff for work – for some reason it seemed more serious and I hated losing control of my output.

Later, I had the pleasure/dread of editing for others. It’s so easy to find a way to write things better, so hard to find a way to say things for the first go-round. It was hard to restrain myself editing for others, and I tried to remember how it felt when I’d get my things back covered in corrections. Not always successfully.

So this Humber thing is an interesting experience. I asked my mentor to be firm with me. I respect her, and love her writing. I want true feedback from her. So I’ve sent in a few things so far, and she’s been firm with me. Or so it seems…

I admit to a certain feeling of despair when I get my writing back covered with corrections, but on the other hand, I’m totally thrilled. I’m getting exactly what I wanted from this program, not false praise or that “great job!” stuff that is so common in writing programs, but real, good, concrete advice.

I also know I have a lot of work to do. What fun! Looking forward to it.

Maybe I’m growing up at last.

Infographic: 4 Key Book Publishing Paths


Infographic: 4 Key Book Publishing Paths.

Excellent post by Jane Friedman. Writers should subscribe.