The Writer Mama Two-Year Anniversary Blog Tour Giveaway! (Now Closed)
And the winner is….
Marnini!
Thank you to everyone who participated!
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The Writer Mama Two-Year Anniversary Blog Tour Giveaway!
Welcome to the seventeenth stop on the Writer Mama Two-Year Anniversary Blog Tour Giveaway. Each day, on a different blog, Christina has been sharing a consecutive installment of The Writer Mama Story and today is my day!
Enjoy the story, answer the question below, and qualify to win your very own copy of Writer Mama!
Post #17: Things Can (And Likely Will) Go Wrong
Catch up on the past posts HERE.
I’ve hinted that things can go wrong on the book-publishing journey and now it’s time to tackle this discouraging topic head-on.
Unlike many authors who have had nightmarish experiences on their first book, my interactions with Writer’s Digest on Writer Mama were extremely positive. I am blessed to have a friendly relationship not only with my agent but also with my editor. I think there are a couple of reasons I have such positive relationships with my agent and editor.
For one thing, I simply decided to have good relationships with them from the outset. I don’t demonize them or point the finger at them when we hit a speed bump. I view them as professional partners.
I also view my agent and editor as people, not goddesses or parent figures. We are equals. We do business together. I expect us to be stronger as a team and we are.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that everything went perfectly with my first book. It didn’t and you shouldn’t expect your book publishing experience to go perfectly either. If you do, you will just be setting yourself up for disappointment.
Here are some examples of things that might go wrong along the book-production road:
o You hate your book cover
o You discover that a book similar to yours is to be published at the same time
o Sources are slow to respond to your permission/quote/example requests
o You are late for a deadline
o The publication of your book is threatened by unexpected circumstances
o Your editor says the quality of your book-in-progress is not up to snuff
o Your editor leaves
o Your agent is let go
o Your publishing house goes bankrupt
This is just a partial list, I’m sure. Here’s how to address almost every tragedy that can befall your book: Follow all of the advice I’ve given so far and…
Get an agent.
Get an agent.
Get an agent.
Having an experienced agent is always going to be your best bet in my opinion, unless you encounter that rare new agent, like my friend Robin Mizell, who’s insights into the dynamics of a rapidly shifting industry are impeccable and up-to-date.
My agent, Rita Rosenkranz, has decades of experience in the book publishing industry. And while her wealth of experience is no guarantee for any of my book’s successful completion, I am continually impressed by her depth of knowledge and diplomatic bargaining ability.
Be certain, before you sign with an agent, that you have a conversation with someone who can vouch for his or her professionalism, preferably with someone who has worked with him or her before. Try not to sign a contract that locks you in with an agent for the long term. There is absolutely no reason to over-commit. Any agent worth her snuff won’t ask you to.
Don’t go into the publishing jungle alone. Always let your agent be your guide.
- Today’s Book Drawing: To enter to win a signed, numbered copy of Writer Mama, answer the following question in this blog’s comments:
- When things don’t go your way or as planned, how do you respond? Are you able to think on your feet and bounce back quickly?
- Thanks for participating! Only US residents, or folks with a US mailing address can participate in the drawing. Please only enter once per day.
Where will the drawing be tomorrow? Visit http://thewritermama.wordpress.com/ to continue reading the rest of the Writer Mama story throughout March 2009!
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Writer Mama, How to Raise a Writing Career Alongside Your Kids by Christina Katz (Writer’s Digest Books 2007)
Kids change your life, but they don’t necessarily have to end your career. Stay-at-home moms will love this handy guide to rearing a successful writing career while raising their children. The busy mom’s guide to writing life, this book gives stay-at-moms the encouragement and advice they need including everything from getting started and finding ideas to actually finding time to do the work – something not easy to do with the pitter-patter of little feet. With advice on how to network and form a a business, this nurturing guide covers everything a writer mama needs to succeed at her second job.
Christina Katz
Nonfiction Writing-for-publication Classes From Beginner to Book Deal
Get Known Before the Book Deal, Use Your Strengths to Grow an Author Platform (Writer’s Digest Books, October 2008)
Writer Mama, How to Raise a Writing Career Alongside Your Kids (Writer’s Digest Books, March 2007)
Writers on the Rise E-zine
The Northwest Author Series
Sponsored by the Wilsonville Public Library and the Wilsonville Arts and Culture Council
Hosted by Christina Katz
Related Reading:
Related posts
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How I’m able to respond in a situation when things don’t go my way really depends on what’s happening and how emotionally tied up in it I am. The more my heart is in something the more I respond with an emotional mind first before a clearer, rational mind can assess the situation. For normal changes in situations, however, I usually respond quickly after taking a step back to observe what’s happening, why, and what I should do. I’m not the type of person who thinks on their feet quickly to respond in a way that best suits me or others, so by thinking for awhile I usually respond in a better manner.
i say outloud “i am having a nervous breakdown”,take a few deep breathes and then try to fix the problem.
I tend to get frustrated. I have to step back and take some deep breaths and conmpose myself.
I try to breathe and chill but ultimately say how I feel- like it or not I just come out and say what I feel and if its somewhere where evidence is needed to be backed up I give that evidence. I used to hate it when I walked away and said nothing so now I just get it out and have virtually no regrets.
I tend to be very assertive, sometimes,going overboard… I try to step back from the situation and literally count to ten, to give myself a chance to reasses the situation. This helps me, before I just blurt something out orsay yes to volunteer for one hundred things.
In order to overcome obstacles, I keep the faith in my future. I believe that everything has a reason; it all works out in the end. By keeping an open mind, I can see challenges as opportunities to better myself. A setback is a chance to restructure goals. A rejection is the time I ask myself how I can do things differently. Success happens through learning, adapting, and letting it all fall into place, but only after I have given myself a chance to wallow.
I am a true believer in everything happens for a reason. When something happens to hinder or change the plans I have made for myself I never question it. Often enough in life people reflect on situations and realize that they wouldn’t be where they are today without hurdling some obstacle courses. I believe the more obstacles you overcome gracefully the more rewards you will receive.
I am a quick thinker and can respond quickly to what is thrown at me. I am also an analyzer, therefor after a situation happens I mull it over profusely until I can come to some understanding on why it could have happened.
If I regret my initial perception I will make it a point to state that I now see things differently and perhaps clearer.
When things don’t go my way I just look for another way like you would if the road you were used to taking was blocked. I sometimes fall down for a minute and have to get my head together but I don’t just give up!
Thanks for the chance to win!
I try to fix the problem if I can’t then I try to think that tommorrow is another day.
I know I am not able to think on my feet quickly. However, I have learned to slow down and take a look at both sides. My first reaction in my head is, “what about me and what I want!” So I slow down and look at the other side. I know that there are things happen for a reason and ask myself what can I learn from it.
I try to analyze the problem then break it down. Is it even something I can fix. Some problems are out of our control so it’s pointless to beat ourselves up.
If I remember that there are worse problems that could befall me, like ill health or the ill health of my loved ones, it usually puts anything into perspective for me.
I’m never shocked when life hits the skids. I’m an optimist but I’m not filled with pie in the sky, Polyanna naivety; I’ve stumbled many times but it’s helped me learn to dust off my hands with grace and try again. I always try to respond to a situation thoughtfully. If I’m caught off guard and need time to reflect, I ask for it. “Let me think about that,” and “I’ll have to get back to you on that” are phrases that prevent a knee-jerk reaction I might later regret.
I go running; it gives me time removed from the situation and perspective to make a wise decision.
most of the time i’m very quick witted and can handle most sitautions with grace and elan
This is all great advice, Christina. I’m so glad you’re doing this. Thanks.
My answer to the questions are: I don’t let much get me down. Sometimes I can think on my feet and other times I need some distance and time to absorb it all. Overall though, I’m a very positive person and bounce back quickly.
Generally I take a deep breath and then go with the flow. After the “crisis” I need some decompression time. I guess it comes from my early years as a Crisis Counselor. Humor is my BIGGEST coping mechanism.
I’m generally a happy person, but if things are not so good I just remember my mom’s favorite sayings: There’s always someone worse off than you and just think, this time tomorrow it will all be over!
i’m getting much better at going with the flow (mothering is good for that
.
thanks so much for sharing your story. off to check out robin’s website now….
Prayer works for me. I ask God for strength wisdom and patience. Then if time permits I sleep on the problem. Next morning I almost always find the solution has formed in my mind along with the energy to solve the problem.
When things don’t go my way or the way I expected I usually do fine. I try to think out all the different way something could go beforehand so I am not blindsided. If I do get caught off guard I do usually have to take a step back but I come back pretty fast after that.
Oh, I cry. For real. Then I write Dear Diary. And then I pull up my big girl underpants and move on.
I do best when I can take a minute (or an hour, or a day) to absorb the impact of a glitch or unexpected circumstance. The most difficult thing for me is when I’m expected to compensate right NOW. That is a recipe for freaking out for me.
When things go wrong, I usually am able to come up with something that will solve the problem. When I have too much time to think about the possibilities I somtimes start to doubt myself or cave in to pressure from others. I have learned that my first responce is usually the right one and to consider the source when taking any advice.