I was pretty blissful for a while after getting an agent and then getting book deals, but as soon as the reality of the work involved, level of difficulty, and the endless hustle just to make ends meet definitely humbled me. I’m still grateful and happy, I’m glad I worked on myself so I wasn’t counting on this to prove my worth.
As always, thank you for your practical words of wisdom. I had been beginning to suspect some of these things are true over the last year, that book deals don't buy happiness, and it feels good to hear that it's true. It gives me permission not to be unhappy because I don't have a book out there yet. ;) On emotionally healthy days, I realize that I'm already living the life of an author--writing each day, meeting with other writers, reading a ton of books, attending workshops--and on those days, the the word "unpublished" before the word "author" doesn't bother me nearly at all. On those days, I realize that there's a lot less stress and busy-ness in my life than there would be if I were a published author.
Thanks for your honesty. I'm seeing a trend here that speaks to our continual unrealistic expectations. I must have elephant skin, grit, and tenacity. There is no silver bullet and no magic algorithm. Just will and hard work. Talent helps.
I had this realization right before getting my first fiction deal. I thought about those millions of wanna be actors in LA — that nobody OWES them stardom. Somehow that made me feel better. Got rid of the bitterness, the outsized expectations (hard work/ smarts = deserved success)
As an author with over 30 books available to date, and a big old mixed bag of experiences of everything from making real money at first, to pissing off a Serious Blogger for reasons I will never understand, and to having, then losing, an agent, I think I need to get this entire substack framed and hung on the wall, like the Desiderata, from which I will pull a fresh nugget of helpful reality check daily. Thank you. I am now a subscriber. Liz
Excellent post and golden advice, Emma! I lucked out early with a contract on my first pitch at 30: HarperCollins, non-fiction hardcover, writer + illustrator, no agent. $10k advance. Two kids under 4. What was I thinking? I think my hourly rate would have been 50 cents. But I loved the entire process. And it helped me break into magazines and a 23-year career… only now am I ready to get back on the horse. Thanks for reminding me to take stock… is this really what I want? It’s a lot of life and memories that may pass me by?
Hi Kate. When you say, "The system is just writers on one side and readers on the other and publishing trying to hit two moving targets at once", I'm interested in where you see agents sitting (or riding!) within this "crap shoot". Is it pillion behind their authors, or pointing out targets for the publishers, or...?
I love this post. You nailed it. Same is true for self publishing.
Sobering, but true. Writing is a lonely gig, requiring alternate supplemental security.
I was pretty blissful for a while after getting an agent and then getting book deals, but as soon as the reality of the work involved, level of difficulty, and the endless hustle just to make ends meet definitely humbled me. I’m still grateful and happy, I’m glad I worked on myself so I wasn’t counting on this to prove my worth.
Loved this!
As always, thank you for your practical words of wisdom. I had been beginning to suspect some of these things are true over the last year, that book deals don't buy happiness, and it feels good to hear that it's true. It gives me permission not to be unhappy because I don't have a book out there yet. ;) On emotionally healthy days, I realize that I'm already living the life of an author--writing each day, meeting with other writers, reading a ton of books, attending workshops--and on those days, the the word "unpublished" before the word "author" doesn't bother me nearly at all. On those days, I realize that there's a lot less stress and busy-ness in my life than there would be if I were a published author.
This.
Thanks for your honesty. I'm seeing a trend here that speaks to our continual unrealistic expectations. I must have elephant skin, grit, and tenacity. There is no silver bullet and no magic algorithm. Just will and hard work. Talent helps.
I had this realization right before getting my first fiction deal. I thought about those millions of wanna be actors in LA — that nobody OWES them stardom. Somehow that made me feel better. Got rid of the bitterness, the outsized expectations (hard work/ smarts = deserved success)
As an author with over 30 books available to date, and a big old mixed bag of experiences of everything from making real money at first, to pissing off a Serious Blogger for reasons I will never understand, and to having, then losing, an agent, I think I need to get this entire substack framed and hung on the wall, like the Desiderata, from which I will pull a fresh nugget of helpful reality check daily. Thank you. I am now a subscriber. Liz
I needed to hear this even though I’ve been doing this fiction writing thing long enough to know it. Thank you.
Someone I know also got a concussion last week. Weird coincidence! Glad you're doing better!
This was such a great post. Thank you so much for writing it! I'm going to save it and look at it any time I'm feeling down. Perfection.
But I don't want to be a normal writer like everyone else said everyone everwhere !
Fantastic post, this is a comfort and a kick up the arse in one go. Thank you!
Excellent post and golden advice, Emma! I lucked out early with a contract on my first pitch at 30: HarperCollins, non-fiction hardcover, writer + illustrator, no agent. $10k advance. Two kids under 4. What was I thinking? I think my hourly rate would have been 50 cents. But I loved the entire process. And it helped me break into magazines and a 23-year career… only now am I ready to get back on the horse. Thanks for reminding me to take stock… is this really what I want? It’s a lot of life and memories that may pass me by?
Hi Kate. When you say, "The system is just writers on one side and readers on the other and publishing trying to hit two moving targets at once", I'm interested in where you see agents sitting (or riding!) within this "crap shoot". Is it pillion behind their authors, or pointing out targets for the publishers, or...?
We're in a hot air balloon trying to yell suggestions to everyone from above. Sometimes people can hear us.
😂
Good analogy - if lacking in mediation. Although, in your case, I see little hot air and more an 'agent with active drone surveillance' scenario. 😜