the craft. your pub date is the beginning.

The publishing world works so far in advance. I mean, I sold my book in 2020 and it came out this June in 2022. Often, you’ll see book announcements for projects you won’t see for two to three years. In that time, you are working diligently on prepping, revising, marketing, pitching, and more before your book actually sees the light of day. In many ways, it can feel like the finish line, but your release date is the beginning, not the end.

It kind of plays tricks on you because you’re getting the book out to influencers and media folks in advance. But that’s such a small subset of the people you actually hope will pick up the book. Once it’s out into the world, that is where the real work starts. The world is a very big place.

And here I am. In that space. Where all the fanfare of the first week is over and you’re left thinking, “what the hell do I do now?” You go from calls and emails almost daily during the lead up to the book, to hearing from your editor and publicist maybe once a week or every two weeks as things pop up here and there. If you let it, it can kind of mess with your psyche a bit if you go too far down a rabbit hole.

The good news is, I come from a music background where books work a lot like an album cycle. Sure, everyone wants to grab that initial number one spot on the charts, but I often ask folks are you chasing an announcement or a career? In many cases, the slow build ends up better for artists than a bunch of fanfare at the top and then no one ever listens to the project again. I’m hoping a bit of the same for this lovely book of mine.

Of course, it would have been amazing to be an instant New York Times Bestseller. But the farther you get into this publishing world, you realize that is hella hard to do without already having a massive fan base. Particularly as Black and POC writers. You know me, I’m a researcher. So I started studying the charts. We are not there. Black and POC writers are barely on the bestseller list if at all from the last time I checked. Colleen Hoover, Emily Henry, Taylor Jenkins Reid were all ponying up those spots for fiction. Some of them were in multiple slots. And we’ve seen Black women show up in Non-Fiction but again, massive followings from Tabitha Brown to Tiffany Aliche and the publishing juggernaut Michelle Obama.

This is not at all to say that Black and POC writers don’t have amazing work. There’s so many reasons at play including the general state of the country and how people relate to Black work, but that’s a bigger discussion for another day. But resources and marketing is a big factor in how we show up in the space. Quite honestly, I read a piece a while back that explained much like Billboard charts and such the bestseller list is not always straight math anyway. You see figures like selling 5-10k copies in one week, but I’m not convinced it’s that straightforward. So, just keep in mind who and what you’re writing for which is hopefully more than simply accolades.

For me, this time after the book release has been about connecting with book clubs. It’s been so amazing to hear from readers. Their thoughts on the book’s themes and such. Which characters they liked and disliked. It creates such a meaningful relationship when the conversation is two way and they can hear from you directly. I’m working on a reading guide that I can share when I can’t necessarily participate in person.

I’m also focused on content. SO MANY TIMES with artists in my life. They put out a record and then I don’t see them post about it after the first week. They’re onto the next thing. That is a huge misstep on their part. Specifically as we fight against the algorithms of social media. People don’t always see your posts. So consistency is the name of the game. I try to make sure I’m posting something about the book at least once a day.

There’s also other things that came together a while after the book release. From having a short story published in Heartbeat, a collaboration between two romance authors, to getting some interest from producers who are reading the manuscript. I sure hope that there’s a lot more in store for the book, but one of the most important things I’m doing is … writing!

As a debut author, not everyone is going to know who you are. Not in this space. You have to have a nice dose of humility when you embark on this journey. I’m much more interested in having multiple books than only one that I hung all my hopes and dreams on. In no way do I feel Good Morning, Love is my magnum opus though I am extremely proud of it. I have learned so much from this initial publishing process that I’m ready to do it again and at a higher level. Starting with knowing that my writing has already improved. I have more stories to tell. And I know that as I grow, my ability to move books will too.

Many people have asked, “how is the book doing?” And the reality is, I’m not really sure yet. When I receive my first actual statement, I’m willing to share with you where things stand so you have a realistic view of what a debut that had marketing support looks like because to be honest, some books don’t even get some of the things I was fortunate enough to have. From billboards to printed arcs, etc. Most authors don’t move thousands of books. I still don’t anticipate having made some great dent in sales. That’s the reality. But I am a person that’s up for the challenge. I will learn, I will improve, and I will find success as an author and storyteller in multiple mediums.

My work is to keep writing. And in the meantime, keep getting in front of people. Saying yes to every opportunity that makes sense. Keep telling people in conversation, yes, I wrote a book and here’s why I think you’ll like it. LOL. Your publisher is your partner, not your savior. So it’s your work to ensure those books keep moving off the shelves.

Writing/Job Opportunities

Isha Thorpe will be looking for part-time and full-time copy writers and looking to get a head start. Send over resumes to editorial@revolt.tv.

Motherboard is looking for science journalists! Are you interested in: space, the mysteries of the universe, the climate crisis, physics, ancient mysteries, etc.? Email jordan.pearson@vice.com.

Oset Babur is looking to hear from writers with interest/clips on the following wine regions for some Food & Wine assignments –– the Loire Valley, Piedmont, Chile, Spain, and Alsace. Drop a line (with said clips, pls) at Oset.Babur@foodandwine.com.

Asana is looking for pitches for their forthcoming publication around work.

Forbes is looking for a part-time editor.

The Kitchen is hiring a Social Copywriter.

Teen Vogue & Them is hiring a Director of Audience Engagement and Analytics.

Verywell Health is hiring a Commerce Writer.

Blue Stoop is hiring a Co-Director of Development.