I'm sorry I just love this. We took our kids to Italy when the oldest was maybe 13 or 14? We were at Pompeii and he was all "wtf I can't get reception to watch "the Daily Show" ... and then in Rome, at The Coliseum .. we walked halfway around & he sat down. Why? "It's a circle, so it's the same all the way around." FORTITUDE, ohmygawd the fortitude. Parenting and Publishing, samesame. Some joy, lots of crap (more literally in the parenting sector than the other), and the absolute necessity of having good people around to shore up the foundations.
Sage advice to not get advice from those outside of writing/publishing. Comments about my novel was published include, 'You should get it on Oprah,' to 'turn it into an audiobook,' (with no budget?' to . 'Can you sign it for me so I can sell it when you're famous' (at least a dozen people, none of whom left a review on Amazon). Ugh.
Rant over. As to 'publishing has never been easy,' I've just finished Bernard Crick's excellent biography of George Orwell.
Orwell said, 'Never start writing novels if you wish to preserve your happiness.'
Excellent post and I agree about reading! When I'm fed up with marketing my book I go back to reading...then when I'm inspired again I send out some more promo books or whatever. Yes, read more good books!
Thanks Kate, for the optimistic viewpoint. I too, as a literary agent, get my share of rejections everyday, and sometimes it’s tough not to doubt yourself, your taste, etc.
One has to remember, as much as our hearts ❤️ are involved in what we do, publishing is a business and commerce!
"That fourth grade teacher who said you could be a writer one day." I attended the closing of my old grade school, and my sixth grade teacher asked if I was still writing. I was dumbfounded.
That was the digital hug we all needed. Grazie mille.
I'm sorry I just love this. We took our kids to Italy when the oldest was maybe 13 or 14? We were at Pompeii and he was all "wtf I can't get reception to watch "the Daily Show" ... and then in Rome, at The Coliseum .. we walked halfway around & he sat down. Why? "It's a circle, so it's the same all the way around." FORTITUDE, ohmygawd the fortitude. Parenting and Publishing, samesame. Some joy, lots of crap (more literally in the parenting sector than the other), and the absolute necessity of having good people around to shore up the foundations.
I got some publishing rejections this morning, so this was very, very needed. Thank you for this.
Sage advice to not get advice from those outside of writing/publishing. Comments about my novel was published include, 'You should get it on Oprah,' to 'turn it into an audiobook,' (with no budget?' to . 'Can you sign it for me so I can sell it when you're famous' (at least a dozen people, none of whom left a review on Amazon). Ugh.
Rant over. As to 'publishing has never been easy,' I've just finished Bernard Crick's excellent biography of George Orwell.
Orwell said, 'Never start writing novels if you wish to preserve your happiness.'
But what would we read if no one wrote?
This is lovely, thank you for taking the time to write it :)
Printing out this much needed pep talk — thank you for this. It couldn’t have come at a more opportune time.
I tell myself to be brave. That helps me—sometimes.
Excellent post and I agree about reading! When I'm fed up with marketing my book I go back to reading...then when I'm inspired again I send out some more promo books or whatever. Yes, read more good books!
Love it, thank you
That's an injection of fortitude right there on the page. Thank you Kate:)
Strength,Honour ,Fortitude and graffiti .....and self-publishing^^
Well we know what happened to the Gladiator^^ Hidden enemies!
Strength & Fortitude & Honor & Perseverance. And a few other choice words.
Thank you Kate for this nudge of support while we are trial & error-ing out here!
KEEP WRITING people. Just keep writing. <3
I love this and thanks for the raw honesty. This biz is not for the faint of heart, but, yes, the people and the writing are worth it.
Thanks Kate, for the optimistic viewpoint. I too, as a literary agent, get my share of rejections everyday, and sometimes it’s tough not to doubt yourself, your taste, etc.
One has to remember, as much as our hearts ❤️ are involved in what we do, publishing is a business and commerce!
I enjoy reading your newsletter👩🏻📖🥰
See? Agents! They're just like us! :)
"That fourth grade teacher who said you could be a writer one day." I attended the closing of my old grade school, and my sixth grade teacher asked if I was still writing. I was dumbfounded.