the craft. publishing is a wild space.

I’ve come to the conclusion there’s not a lot of rhyme or reason in the who and what of publishing. Like in anything I’ve tried to do in life, I’m always studying. Trying to learn the ins and outs and nuances of what it takes to be successful in any given industry. Whether it’s music or literature, if I’m going to do something, I want to be the best at it. And the way you do that is studying those that are in the position you want to be in and trying to reverse engineer. Except, every time I have a conversation with someone who I think is a successful writer, I think I’m left more confused than when I started.

Recently, I met up with my writing colleagues out here in Los Angeles. Most of us, save two, maybe are debut authors desperately trying to navigate what it takes to make a career of this thing. Everyone has had varying levels of success in their journey so far, but it honestly never seems like enough. Those who have been cited on national book clubs lament that they didn’t make the NYT best sellers list. Some received sizable advances while others like me, took what they could get in hopes that it was only a stepping stone to greater success. But what is consistent is that no one is at a place of feeling any type of security as authors in the major publishing industry.

We all went to a book talk event over in Pasadena at Octavia’s Bookshelf. Black and woman owned, so if you’re in the area, make sure to stop by and support. And the author, who I’ll protect with anonymity, came and grabbed a drink with us after the event. Now, dinner or drinks with writers is always fascinating. Ha! I mean, now that I have my own little group of literary friends, I can only imagine what the conversations were like between like Giovanni, Morrison, Baldwin and all the giants. But in any event, we stumbled on a conversation about what it was going to look like for this author’s second book to which they mentioned they were offered less than their original advance amount. LESS!

Now, I’ll say this. It’s likely that this author received a large advance for their first book. Nonetheless, their book is doing well. And we were all celebrating a paperback release, which means, the book is selling. Everyone does not get a paperback release, friends. So the whole of us were completely baffled at everything this author was telling us about how they’re navigating the world of book two.

You always have options, but typically your publisher is going to include a first right of refusal clause in your contract. Meaning, you have to show the next thing to them first before you go anywhere else. Ideally, it’s nice if you can grow your career at one publisher. You likely gain some name recognition in the building. People are more bought into you. I mean it’s like Kobe, God rest his soul, staying a Laker for the entirety of his career. However, if the math ain’t mathin’ you do have the ability to see what’s out there. And so this author is certainly planning to do that.

It stunned me a little because I’d just had such a great call with my agent about our approach to my next project. And how we were hoping to really negotiate more this time around because while GOOD MORNING, LOVE hasn’t seen all the coveted fanfare of new books, it got some good press, it is selling copies, and I have been a really great partner in creating opportunities for my damn self and this little book that could.

I found myself thinking, if people with all the long and short lists, book clubs, and best sellers, are out here in choppy second book waters, what the hell does that mean for me? But what I realized is, absolutely nothing because publishing is a wild place. HA!

Look, the reality is, most books don’t earn out. That’s why they go after the Brittany Spears, and Jada Pinkett Smiths, and anyone named Obama. Those books make the money for them to invest in other things. Even with this fact, you still may get another deal. Or you may have great success and then have people trying to haggle you down. And then don’t get me started about the performance of 2020 where marginalized authors everywhere received their deals. Me included. For some publishers, that moment has passed and they are ready to go back to a world they know, okay?

I know it may sound bleak. But I guess what I’m trying to say is, I’ve studied and there is no way to predict this! Which for control freaks across the world is our least favorite thing ever. But it keeps you focused on what’s most important, which is writing the books that you want to write. Period. Because if you think you’re trying to figure out the matrix of publishing and what’s going to skyrocket you to the top, good luck. And when you find out, come back and write an edition of the craft to share with the rest of us.

You know I’ll keep you posted on all the second book shenanigans as they come this fall. But I’ll tell you what I always know. The moment that no one wants my books, is the moment Permission to Write Press becomes a reality. Because your girl knows how to self-publish. <3