So, You Published A Book—Now, What?

in #writing7 years ago (edited)


In response to a recent post of mine, Confessions of a Writer: For Anyone Interested in Publishing I received the following comments from a Steemian and new follower, @nobyeni

"Very encouraging to hear about this. I have been carrying around manuscripts for a while, and have my first book coming out with a small but respectable publishing house in one month, after having given up hope several times...

It's a philosophy [book, in Dutch] for general audience, so will have to think of how to reach people. I'm very bad at networking & marketing, rather spend my time writing...

looking forward if you would write about how to approach that... the hurdle after finding the publisher so to speak ;)"

So, this post is dedicated to her, and all aspiring writers.
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I realize that what to do after publication might seem like a stretch for writers who are still getting started. But, with the publishing world in a state of transition, it’s never too early to start preparing and modifying expectations. For non-writers reading this post, I think it might be of interest in demystifying the writerly life and, perhaps, busting some myths along the way about books and writers.

Parenting Tips For The New Author

So, imagine, after years of carrying a living, pulsing dream, aka manuscript, a publisher says Yes, I will help you deliver it into the world. Euphoria ensues, huge relief, validation, and an urge to broadcast your news and celebrate, once you still your beating heart! Ah, finally, you can, now, put your feet up and earn some hard-won rest, basking in a sense of accomplishment, as your book finds its way. Maybe, you'll rise to answer the phone if it's a reporter looking to interview you or the postman beating at your door to deliver your royalty check. Otherwise, your work is work, fame and fortune are yours.

No. Unless you are the lucky .00000001 percent to have your book made into a blockbuster or Oprah espousing your genius at the top of her lungs or, more rare still, a critically-acclaimed, bestseller championed by the New York Times.

Think of it as parenting. Do your responsibilities end with having a baby? No, they begin. Here's how I described this arduous task in a poem of mine, How to Make a Name for Yourself (then, I promise, I'll try to break it down, in prose)

A Name...

To have a name and make a name is not the same
True, both are spun of love and will and dreams
But one is blindly granted as we blink in the light,
The other we must forge from our innermost

Nameless, once more, we are reborn into the world
From the soul’s furnace, we strive to stake our claim
Hotly hammering desires, giving shape to longing
And setting it to cool, approximating an ideal

Then again, we must teach this babe to crawl ahead
Mothering it with care, fathering it with courage
So that, one day, it can freely live apart from us
And find its place in our clamoring times and after.
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Most publishers, small and medium, increasingly rely on author to do the heavy lifting in getting word of their books out, through social media and beyond. They may have a limited budget, to arrange a book reading or two, even try to get you a review, here or there, but the rest is up to you.

Book signings, even for fearless exhibitionists (which the majority of writers are not) can be daunting affairs. In addition to mustering the courage to share your (oftentimes, intimate) thoughts before a room full of strangers, you must brace yourself that, in most cases, the room will not be full. Accept the empty chairs, overlook the yawning, texting, etc.. and pardon the many who will walk out before purchasing a book copy. The ones who do, and engage in meaningful conversation with you afterwards, will make it all worthwhile.

I have to back up for a moment. As part of your book publishing preparation, try and secure an endorsement or two from an established author—these will make a difference in your book’s reception and audience turnout at signings. Again, this is not easy to do, but if your writing is strong and you, politely, approach an author who works in the same genre, it's well worth your time and effort.

Remember, you're new in this town, nobody knows your name, and there are countless others vying for readers’ limited attention. Before folks can give you a chance, it helps if someone higher up the chain gives you their stamp of approval, signaling that you're worth their time. As in life, not just what you know, but who you know counts—so begin networking, and try to do so with elegance and grace.


Before Steemit, I virtually lived on Facebook and Twitter. With a combined following of around 10K, I relied on this community for much: emotional support and critical feedback, publishing and literary leads, even crowdfunding my last book. If I read an interesting article or book (and the author was still alive) I would see if I could follow them, online, to hear from the horse’s mouth about the ins and outs of the industry—including what journals, magazines, blogs featured the type of work they did (and that I was interested in): philosophy, poetry, spirituality, or culture.

It was through Twitter, for example, that I learned of NPR*'s call for micropoetry and, as a result, had two of my 140-character-poems featured: Bodies Are like Poems and A Word-Shaped Web. Later, I had the good fortune of being invited to the NPR studios for a full-length interview, to discuss my new book and An Artist's Story of the Arab Spring

To those unfamiliar with National Public Radio (NPR) it’s worth mentioning that NPR reaches 30.2 million weekly listeners through more than 1,000 public radio stations. Online, NPR.org attracts a growing audience of 36.9 million unique monthly users. Needless to say, this is far more potential readers than any book signing can promise. Also, it is worth adding that getting on the radio is not the easiest thing to do, either, luck plays a big factor, yet podcasts, now, abound.

The other time-tested route to share your book news is through reviews. Again, your chances increase, online, with all the new outlets available--do your research and find the best match. Unfortunately, book review sections in major newspapers are caving in (as, regrettably, are bookstores themselves) so if you discourage easily, this is not for you.

Still, it doesn't hurt to try your small(er) city paper or magazine, as they are more likely to consider sharing news of a local kid that did good. Haunt libraries (yes, they still exist) for tips and find out if they are hosting any cultural events or if you could join a group reading or donate your book, if they will not consider ordering it from your publisher. Meantime, continue writing, not another book, but shorter pieces that you can place in current publications. Your byline, featuring news of your new book, becomes your banner, your personal book ad embedded wherever you publish your work.

Of course, always, rely on the support of others, near and far: biased family members and cheerleading friends spreading the word, but also enthusiastic readers, and kindred spirits you meet along the way.

Once, again, I hope this might be of some use or interest to readers and writers on Steemit. I've never quite put all this in writing, though I've been asked many a time in person, or via email, by readers, students and aspiring writers. For the future, I will have this link to direct them to :)

And, if you've read this far, perhaps, you might also enjoy viewing this perk of publishing a book: being asked to participate in a book festival. This reading is from San Francisco International Poetry Festival:


(Images: Pixabay)

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Yahia, your efforts to share your experiences and the wisdom that you have picked up along the paths to gaining these unique insights is an example of elegance and grace in it's purest form - that of paying it forward, or, as you might so eloquently say:

if we ask life for favors, we must be ready to return them.

thank you so much for not only sharing your art and time here, but also engaging and providing erudition to those of us still questioning, still dreaming, but knowing not what the steps may be to wake ourselves up and live our dreams.

You’re a gentleman, Alain, and I wish you a bright, rewarding future ahead of you, in Literature, or wherever else you choose to make your mark.

Your uncommon sensitivity, close attentions, and the density of your own writing are one of Steemit’s rewards.

Thank you, for reminding me of that aphorism — I’ve been granted many favors, in life, and have a lot of returning to do 🙇🏻

Happy you enjoyed my post, it was intended for promising writers like you.

I loved reading this Yahia and even more so really enjoyed watching the fantastic readings with musical accompaniment!

It is really true how much the promotional burden has been shifted onto the author in this age of social media. Having seen my sister (a national best selling author of the USA Today variety here in the US, signed by an imprint of Harper-Collins) at first struggle with this and later grow more graceful and adept at the self-promotion game, I am amazed at both the amount of time and energy this sort of promotional work requires, and at how vital it is even with the support of a major publisher. What a gift you are giving the other prospective authors here on Steem blockchain, the gift of an honest and realistic perspective and the voice of experience! Thanks for this!

This post was nominated by a @curie curator to be featured in an upcoming Author Showcase post on the @curie blog. If you agree to be featured in this way, please reply and:

  • Let us know if we can quote text and/or feature images from your post.
  • If you would like to provide a brief statement about your posting, your life or anything else to be included in the article, you can do so in reply here or look me up on Discord chat (@gnashster#6522 ) or even (last resort) email, same username as here with ye olde gmail appended.

You can check out the previous week's Author Showcase to get an idea of what we are doing with these posts.

Much love - Carl (@curie curator)

So glad you appreciated it, Carl! You & I have already collaborated, virtually, once - maybe, one day, it’ll be us on stage, out in the real world :)
Steven, the guitarist is a wonderful musician and poet - we met at the festival and hit it off right away. You can find his blog, here:

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How wonderful that your sister is a published author, and with such an reputable press. Yeah, it takes some adjusting of expectations (and attitude) to get on board with the new expectations of publishing world. Glad she’s There, now!

It is gratifying to share what I have of literary experience, my friend, and know it might make the path even slightly easier for another. I’ve been helped a great deal along the way, and continue to be — feels good to give back a little.

I would be honored to appear on @Curie’s blog and enjoy perusing Author Showcase posts. What an exciting new world Steemit is 🤗

Much Love back, brother, Yahia

Hi Yahia, the Author Showcase featuring this post is up :)

https://steemit.com/curation/@curie/curie-author-showcase-february-16th-2018

Delicious gift, Carl. I, especially, enjoyed your excellent writeup of Inna’s piece. You have a real talent for these things 👌🏼

Shared your heartwarming appreciation with my wife, 1st thing this morning; you make me proud, man, & humble.❤️

Another valuable article, many thanks for sharing your knowledge with us. I'm enjoying the video also. Thanks Yahia

Very glad this found you, Scott, and you found it valuable. (You might not be able to tell from vid, but quite shy when it comes to public speaking.)

Public speaking is not one of my great joys either, but you appeared to handle yourself very well. Kudos to you.

Gracious of you to say—it’s a challenge, for us inward types, but necessary... Also, very encouraging crowd in SF, which helped a lot!

Sharing experience is so useful for everyone who wants to learn realistic information. Theories and strategies can't compare with real experience! Thanks for sharing!

I’m glad you enjoyed this, thanks, for reading 🙏🏼 We each try to share what we have..

Nice to hear about publishing your first book....
but your way of reading poetry is awesomr I enjoyed it alot and resteem your post for further research when try to publish my own if do so...

Thanks, for reading and sharing. Good luck with your own projects & research 🙏🏼

This post deserves to go places. I agree with everything you said, man. As a writer, post-published is the hardest thing in the world next to actually finishing a book.

Thank you, for your kind words of affirmation. I hope this post reaches those in need of it, I know there's a decent-sized writers community, on here. Wishing you best of luck with your own writing.

Wow, thanks for the insights. And I guess I have been doing some of these things, but also have a lot of hesitation about most of the points you make. Rationally they make sense, but they're so not natural to me, to follow them through. Thanks for your support in this way. I guess I'll take it one step at the time, and one bullet-point at my list of things to do to get the word out at the time as well...
Thanks!

Thanks, for the inspiration! I've tried to answer your question, as best I can, and am glad you are doing some of these things, already :) As for the rest, including overcoming your hesitation, that is up to you, my friend, to determine how far you are willing to go. What we put in is what we get out...

Thank you for asking the question, @nobyeni, it shows positive direction in just what Yahia was relaying! While I'm not one who can read in Dutch, should your book ever find itself being translated to English, or, better yet, you find yourself stateside in promotion or to accept an accomplishment, I'd love to cheer you on your way however I can.

All the best to you in achieving all your goals to the fullest!!

I'm gonna join in this group chat ;-) and say that although it's difficult for an introspective person @nobyeni, I think there is no way round a certain amount of self promotion these days unless, as Yahia says, you're lucky enough to get Oprah on your side 😜. I have a friend who is a successful comic artist and she told me that roughly 70% of what she does is promoting, networking and social media chatter. I think you have a great plan in mind! Baby steps, building your activities weekly until it starts to feel more comfortable and before you know it'll be second nature. I wish you all the best.

Yahia, thanks so much for sharing your knowledge and insights on this subject. It is massively appreciated and I'm sure that so many people will benefit from this writing advice series you have started 🙂🙏

Rowan! Seeing this purely by chance, as it was not under my replies button, and I was scrolling down to find this post got Curied 🤓

I’ve hardly, consciously, started a writing advice series (frankly, a touch uncomfortable with that mantle) but we share what we have, right?

By the way, you did a wonderful job with your proverb submission 👌🏼

Sorry about that @yahialababidi I thought the comment would have shown up in your 'reply's' section, apologies. I am quite dozy sometimes 😉

Ha ha also, I'm probably the first person to call two posts a series in a while. I just wanted to let you know that I appreciated your insights on the writers' process from this post and the previous one Confessions of a Writer, For Anyone Interested in Publishing a Book (15 years of experience).

Glad you enjoyed the proverb post m8 :-)

No need to apologize, at all. I’m still learning and, this morning, began using a bot called Gina that’s meant to help out with these things 🕵️‍♀️

Been musing about sharing more on writer’s process, we’ll see... But, first having a little fun with Dtube 🤓

Have a great week, @raj808 ✌🏼

Yes, the baby steps seem to be working. So far I've written to the people in my network to see what help they can offer. Sometimes asking something can actually already help to get over some fear... as this post by @yahialababidi already shows. Even though I didn't really get helpful points out of it as to what to do - those are very specific and I'll need to figure those out for this particular niche and book - but he's given me a lot of courage to just try. After all, it's only my first book, and nothing can be really lost.

So I've started by also making a list of things on what to do. And getting a press-kit / info-material ready for when someone is interested.

You didn’t get helpful points as what to do, @nobyeni?! I wrote an entire post for you, sharing my experience & your initial response was that you were not comfortable with marketing, etc.

Well, that’s what you need to do

I’m glad you say, at least, that I’ve given you courage to try...

Yes, I meant with 'what' as in very concrete steps... which is also not something you can offer. Your post was very helpful in pointing me into this direction :)

Gotcha :) The specific research is also part of the author’s work and responsibility to their book.

Again, best of luck with that.

¡wow! Me alegra mucho que personas como tu sean capaces de compartir su experiencia y así ayudar a otros que se encuentran en el mismo camino. Para nadie es un secreto que escribir, producir y publicar un libro no es una tarea fácil, requiere de mucho esfuerzo, dedicación y amor a lo que se hace; sin embargo, muy poco pese a tener todo esto consiguen publicar su libro, es preciso entonces rodearse de personas que permitan acercase a esa meta, como tu lo mencionas, familiares, amigos, editores, editoriales, grupos de lectura incluso y por supuesto los lectores para poder lograrlo. Y es que al rededor de la publicación de un libro no solo se da la oportunidad de compartir con otros todo lo que con tanto amor has producido, sino que también aparecen los miedos y las ganas de que llegue lejos, que sean bien aceptado y que con suerte genere muchos ingresos, porque seamos sensatos, la escritura es un trabajo y merece ser remunerado.
Hace unos años comencé a escribir, al principio era solo mio, algo muy personal, el día de hoy me he permitido poder compartirlo con otros, si bien no muchos, algunos pocos significativos. Deseo poder hacer crecer ese numero y expandir mis horizontes, poder publicar algún día seria increíble.
Tu blog me anima a continuar en este camino, gracias por tus palabras y mucho éxito.

Hola, Venezuela :) Thank you, for taking the time to read and I'm glad that you found my blog encouraging (I had to put your comment through Google translate to understand it, maybe you can do so in the future, as I do not read Spanish).

Welcome to Steemit--I wish you best of luck, here, and with your writing!

Thank you very much for sharing your experience and for your good wishes. Excuse me, I've had to do it too. Thank you again.

@yahialababidi congratulations indeed being curied is like accepting noble price for. Literature here how I wish to trade places with you. Hug for you my man

Thank you, for your kindness—it’s certainly an honor. Wishing you success with your own work. 🙏🏼

A good extension to "Confessions of a Writer" post.

It takes a lot of courage to keep urself motivated during these periods of refusal from publishers.
and publishing on a local Magazine/Paper is like a first stage achievement which may lead u to potential success in future..! 🙌

~Greetings from Tennis Girl 🎾🎾

Thanks, for popping by to read this companion piece. In the end, and beginning, what we create and share must be a labor of love.

If we are in it for the money or instant gratification, we’ll be disappointed🙏🏼

thanks to u buddy.... u r spreading love nd bringing good value to the community..! 🤗

We each do what we can, with what we have. Cheers!

cheers..! 😊