the craft. advocating for your work in publishing.
Photo by freddie marriage on Unsplash
I know I mentioned your agent being your ally but you know what that means? You’re in charge! You may or may not remember this line from the little scraggly girl in Hustle & Flow, but I often say this to myself when I need a little extra push. It’s not all black and white because there are a lot of factors in putting a book out with a major publisher, but I think it’s important to remember, it’s your career.
In this process, I feel like there were times where I was waiting for someone else to tell me what to do, when I really needed to figure it out for myself. Specifically as a fiction writer, you essentially have the story already written and then you’re being guided into making it a real book. It’s important that you have a vision, before you go into a huge machine that will spin you every which way.
But I do say this with a caveat. There will be concessions! However, I think it’s helpful to have an idea of the things you’re willing to fight for and the things you can let go. It’s knowing when to be humble, because if you knew everything, you should have published your own book. Versus knowing when you are diluting an important part of your offering. This is not always the easiest thing to balance, but there will be moments when you have to rely on your own discernment.
I like real life examples so here is some insider track. My debut needed more of a B storyline. There was, of course, the major to-do, plot A, but it needed a little more happening to build more suspense in the book. My original editor had a suggestion. And I sat with it. Even tried to make some edits. But the more I thought about it, the more it felt forced. Here were some important things to me that it compromised: The viewpoint I was challenging of Black men and their goodness even if they are complex at times. And the purity of the female friendship I was building. It was a no for me. And I had to find my voice to say, “that’s not it” and come up with an alternative for this secondary storyline.
On the other side, where I had to concede was when it came to my book cover. Honestly, when I pitched my book it was as Women’s Fiction which to me was a bit more elevated than simply a romance. However, the first cover I received was straight romance. I talked it over with my inner council (you know that group of ppl that help steer you in life) and I just could not settle with the fact that I was being given this one choice on cover. So I mustered up my voice again to ask “is this the only option?” I found out there were more! Ultimately, the cover the publisher preferred won out, but I had to realize that they knew more about how a cover would position my book in the market than I did. However, I was able to offer some edits to the cover that really made me a lot happier and comfortable with the direction.
Being on a major publisher is a bit intimidating as a debut author. There is that feeling that can creep in that makes you think you should just be happy to be there but as much as I can, I want to encourage you not to let that voice win out. So many people have said it before so I’m not sure who to attribute it to but, “you belong in every room you walk into.” That includes the publishing room. You’re not being given this opportunity because book deals are easy to get. Or whatever it may be for you. The article, the non fiction book, etc. You are being given an opportunity because you are a damn good writer.
That means you should always keep your book first and not your ego. So don’t be afraid to take suggestions from your agent or publisher. But also don’t allow them to take your book to places that were never meant for it.
I’ll also share an important note from hubs, because you know partners are always giving us wisdom. Hopefully, this won’t be the only book or project you write. The goal is a career. So if you have to compromise on some things, well, maybe you’ll gain more leverage on the next one.
Just know, either way, that what you put out into the world matters and the most important person that should be happy with it, is you. I know that come June, when that book is out in the world, it’s no longer mine. But I know I did my best, and well, my best just has to be good enough.
Writing/Job Opportunities
The Rumpus is accepting submissions for fiction until 2/28.
The Graywolf Press Nonfiction Prize is accepting submissions.
Priorities USA is hiring a Copywriter.
Mother Jones is hiring a Political Reporter.
NBC News is hiring an Associate Reporter, Social newsgathering.
Capsule Stories Summer 2022 Edition’s theme is Swimming. Capsule Stories is looking for stories, poems, and essays that explore slipping into the water and finding yourself.
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