How To Be An Author
Hi all,
You're here for how-tos. That's what I set out to do when I started this newsletter way back in 2019 (!!!)–put things you needed to know about writing, publishing, and literary agents all in one place. This many years on, there's not much I haven't covered. (And if you're looking for good round ups of previous posts, I did that here. Drop the most helpful post you've found in the comments!) Should I go back and do agency agreements again? Word counts? Professional jealousy?
I can. And I probably will. But it occurred to be the other day that I talk about writing and publishing a lot, but I don't talk about being an author a lot. Maybe it's because I'm just experiencing that for myself, too, after the publication of my first book. I'm not saying this with a <hair flip.> I'm not saying well, now because I'm a Published Author I know what it's really like. But I have learned some things from this experience, and I think there are some things you can do now, whether you're published or not, that can help prepare you for the long haul. Maybe this is just semantics, but to be a writer, all you have to do is write. I'm a writer. You're a writer. Anyone is a writer and that is good. I'm a runner even if I can't run a marathon. You're a writer if you write (and even in the times you aren't writing).
An author, though, has a different mindset. And that's all it is–a mindset. It's not a club you get into when you get an ISBN. Anyone can call themselves an author, and you don't have to subscribe to this definition here to do so. But for the sake of my argument, and with the experience I've recently gained after publishing a book, on top of twenty years of publishing experience, author hits different to me now. Maybe it's the professionalization (whether you trad- or self-pub). Maybe it's a distinction without a difference. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I've been chewing on this idea for a while now, so I'm going to write about it to see what I think. And I'm taking you along with me.
To start, I've been thinking of this in terms of hard and soft skills. The soft skills you need to be an author are things like ideas/things to write about, confidence, patience, resilience, the willingness to fail over and over. You need to develop stamina (writing, reading, trying), the ability to accept compliments, the flexibility to pivot. You need to be open to community, because you can't do it alone. You need to accept editing and advice (yours or others), because you're never right the first time. You need to be able to think like a writer and a reader, and to imagine how a reader might view your writing. You need to be able to accept that your sentences are not sacred and not all of them will be (or should be) published. You need to find validation elsewhere than from readers, editors, agents, and publishers.
You need hard skills, too. Something to type on and an understanding of word processing programs (something other than Google Docs eventually). You need advanced skills in the language you use for your work. You need to read widely, in your genre and beyond. You need to be able to write a query letter and find objectivity about your work. You need to be able to meet deadlines and communicate professionally with those you work with, whoever they are. You need to be able to ask for things–help, favors, networking opportunities–without completely crumbling into dust. (You can crumble a little.) You need time to do all these things, which is the single hardest resource to find for any writer.
You need the guts to do all this once, and then over and over again.
What you don't need, imho, is an MFA, among other things. If you have one or want one, that's great. You can learn both hard and soft skills in an MFA program that can benefit you long term. But it's not medical school. It's a two-year long writers retreat. I say this as a person with one and do not intend to demean the hard work both teachers and students do in those programs. Arts education is important. You can still be an artist without it.
There's more you don't need. And more you do need. And more you can learn. And unlearn. And develop, enhance, and nurture to be an author with a long career (published or not). You don't have to be an author. You don't have to publish another book or any book or aim to make this your full-time (paying) job. (Many authors are full-time but unpaid or underpaid, unfortunately.) Over the next few weeks I'm going to talk more about this, in terms of both hard and soft skills, so stay tuned. Tell a friend. Let me know what you think you need to be an author, as opposed to a writer. Comment below.
Happy publication day to Trung Le Nguyen and ANGELICA AND THE BEAR PRINCE! This book has FIVE STARRED REVIEWS! It will make you cry! It has one of the most beautiful covers I've ever seen! Trung's art is beyond gorgeous! Everything I can say about it deserves an exclamation mark! Order yours today!
★ “Nguyen elevates what made his debut a success and once more demonstrates his mastery of creating complex characters, presenting a believably flawed yet wholly sympathetic cast.” —BookPage, starred review
★ “Themes of grief, friendship, and family are thoughtfully explored through various characters . . . hand this to readers looking for some hope after going through a tough time.” —The Bulletin, starred review
★ “. . . a masterfully paced queer romance grounded in reality and starring the most lovable (and beautifully representative) cast.”—Booklist, starred review
★ “A gorgeously rendered, whimsical story about a community coming together to support one another during hardships both big and small.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
★ “Tender, sweetly romantic, and enchanting; an encouraging coming-of-age story.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
UPCOMING EVENTS!
Come see me in Brooklyn at Liz's Book Bar on Smith Street on October 14th at 7pm for an open and casual Ask Me Anything opportunity! I'll be at the bar ready and willing to answer your burning literary questions (though maybe don't pitch me your book. You can just send me a query for that.) RSVP above!
Can't make it to Brooklyn? Sign up for my Writer's Digest Webinar on October 23rd at 1PM ET and learn how to demystify publishing anew. Join me for Publishing & Writing Myths That are Getting in the Way of Your Success and if you join for the live event, there will be ample Q&A time! If you can't make the live event, access the recording whenever. I used to do WD webinars a lot back in the day, and I'm excited to do one again.
XXOXOXOXOXOX,
Kate
