As the author of two nonfiction books via traditional publishing with a third on the way I COMPLETELY agree with Kate here: You're only as good as your current book. Writing one book does not guarantee the publication of your next.
In fact, and this is especially true in nonfiction, your proposal if you're going to New York houses needs to be killer. A sizzle reel of your best material.
That's how I've always viewed the proposal process anyway.
So glad I found your newsletter, first and foremost, for the inspiration. My memoir is written, 500 pages (oh, and because I am a naïve little worker bee writer, I'll pretend like i didn't read somewhere that this is simply too long for a memoir.) Of all the things to worry about in life ;)
Anyways, I have been reading some old posts, thanks for all the insight. xx Kristen
Thank you. It is about affirming your own feelings but I had never really examined the “what comes next”. I like the perspective you’ve shared here. I also like the idea of accepting where in at—combing the what’s next with the acceptance may just help me move the needle in this fast and furious world of want.
I better get writing then! "Except I’m allowed to want it and you are too. Want whatever your little heart desires. Want freely and expansively and without boundaries. The wanting is not the problem. It’s what you feel next. I felt well, I better get writing then."
I'm not so sure that announcing it doesn't take the wind out of the sails (and possible future sales 😊). When one carries that burning desire inside, it acts as a spark to ignite the incentive to go ahead and write it. Staying quiet in a world overwrought with social media takes more effort than ever before, but the motivators for the hackneyed 'nose to the grindstone' haven't changed. All I can say is, "good luck," but I'd like to add a "sh-h-h" to it.
I can see your side of things here. But also, saying things out loud can hold one accountable and also signal to others that wanting is ok, that trying is ok. I don't think it affects sales either way. You don't have to declare your intentions to the world. Other people can!
Oof! So much “me too, me too, me too” … and just the reminder I needed not to sink into recriminations or deciding that, X years into trying to find an agent, it just couldn’t happen. Godspeed us!
As the author of two nonfiction books via traditional publishing with a third on the way I COMPLETELY agree with Kate here: You're only as good as your current book. Writing one book does not guarantee the publication of your next.
In fact, and this is especially true in nonfiction, your proposal if you're going to New York houses needs to be killer. A sizzle reel of your best material.
That's how I've always viewed the proposal process anyway.
I so feel this! It's why I end up with drafts in three different genres and age categories...
So glad I found your newsletter, first and foremost, for the inspiration. My memoir is written, 500 pages (oh, and because I am a naïve little worker bee writer, I'll pretend like i didn't read somewhere that this is simply too long for a memoir.) Of all the things to worry about in life ;)
Anyways, I have been reading some old posts, thanks for all the insight. xx Kristen
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Thank you. It is about affirming your own feelings but I had never really examined the “what comes next”. I like the perspective you’ve shared here. I also like the idea of accepting where in at—combing the what’s next with the acceptance may just help me move the needle in this fast and furious world of want.
I am grateful for your words today
Honestly this post makes me feel better about my own quest to traditionally publish a particular book... Which so far is ongoing! :p
I better get writing then! "Except I’m allowed to want it and you are too. Want whatever your little heart desires. Want freely and expansively and without boundaries. The wanting is not the problem. It’s what you feel next. I felt well, I better get writing then."
I'm not so sure that announcing it doesn't take the wind out of the sails (and possible future sales 😊). When one carries that burning desire inside, it acts as a spark to ignite the incentive to go ahead and write it. Staying quiet in a world overwrought with social media takes more effort than ever before, but the motivators for the hackneyed 'nose to the grindstone' haven't changed. All I can say is, "good luck," but I'd like to add a "sh-h-h" to it.
I can see your side of things here. But also, saying things out loud can hold one accountable and also signal to others that wanting is ok, that trying is ok. I don't think it affects sales either way. You don't have to declare your intentions to the world. Other people can!
I don't know about you Kate but writing is hard unless I'm asked. Once I'm asked, it's easy : )
Ok then ask yourself. :)
Oof! So much “me too, me too, me too” … and just the reminder I needed not to sink into recriminations or deciding that, X years into trying to find an agent, it just couldn’t happen. Godspeed us!