Time for our monthly meeting of the Insecure Writer's Support Group! Hosted as ever by Alex J. Cavanaugh, the aim of the group is to offer a safe space where writers can share doubts and insecurities without fear of being judged. This month's co-hosts are Patricia Josephine, Deidre Knight, Olga Godim, J. Lenni Dorner and Cathrina Constantine.
I'm going to skip the question this month because I really have nothing to answer it! Honestly, it made me a little bit anxious. Instead, I'm going to talk about a subject I'm sure many of you can relate to: the jitters leading up to a book release. Any form of release will come with nerves, I know that, but with my first traditionally published book this feels different from self-publishing because there's a lot of other people invested in my book and its success. I don't want to let them down, but at the same time there's so much that feels out of my control: reviews, sales, events... it all seems pretty overwhelming. And I'm lucky that my publisher offered on my follow-up too. With this being a writer's group, what I want to explore is the impact all this has on my writing. You'd think I'd be more comfortable and confident in that area knowing that people are backing me. Instead, it seems harder than ever before to string together a sentence that makes sense. Can I deliver again? I don't know. Can I find the fun and joy in writing again without a lingering sense of pressure? Really hope so. Switching from a publishing/marketing mindset to a purely creative one means wearing two completely different hats and just putting one down and putting the other one on is no easy thing. I know this isn't groundbreaking news or anything, but I'm feeling it more than ever right now.
I know many of you will have been here, or are here. Grateful for any and all advice. I'm in a privileged position, and this isn't meant to be a whine. But I guess what I'm learning is there's no point or nothing that can happen that would make writing "easier" or less of an effort. But it's never meant to be easy, or ultimately the reward wouldn't be as good.
To find more posts for the IWSG, check out the list here!
23 comments:
Although I haven't been published yet, I already have all those feelings and worries thinking of getting published traditionally. Those are common feelings. I think you need to just do what you can and enjoy doing in terms of marketing and know that no matter how much you do, you' can't control how many books are sold. If you read my debut author interviews, that's the common advice I get.
You may want to find a book blogger who organizes blog tours and pay to have them schedule one for you to introduce your book and you to new readers. I hope this helps.
Hi, Nick! How exciting about your upcoming release! And nerve-racking. Excitement and nervousness are the same physiological state--heart-rate increase, butterflies in your stomach--the only difference is how you interpret the physical energy. I think it's completely normal to feel heightened anxiety in this situation. A small publisher released my first novels, and I can relate to the desire for good sales to support their bottom line. Upon reflection, there was more anxiety with traditional publishing due to the lack of control and communication as well. Best of luck!
My heart started to race reading your post! I'm always a bundle of nerves when a release approaches...or at most other times :)
Writing is part of You and that magic will always be there!
I think this is another reason I'm happy to be Indie (one I hadn't considered before): If the release is a flop, I let no one down. Not even myself because those aren't my hopes.
Yes. Those pre-release jitters are worse than stage fright. I enjoyed reading your thoughts on a topic that is always in my mind while I'm writing.
I remember after my first book was released, I thought pre-release jitters would get easier. Boy, was I wrong! You got this, though, and don't let those jitters get to you too much.
Deep breaths, Nick. You're alright. In fact, you're fabulous because you made it! A primary goal you can cross off your list. The magic remains inside you - even when it needs a rest. Congratulations!
I'm terrible at book launches. I just kind of let them free and do a few newsletter swaps.
My second book was nerve-racking because I wondered if I could produce again or was I just a one-hit-wonder. But even with others invested, you've done this before and it will be all right.
There are hundreds of things you and your publisher need to do before the release date - and guess what, they won't all get done! It's okay. Do what you can before and then the rest after. No stress.
I feel your anxiety. Being able to produce stories on a deadline is one of the reasons I chose self-publishing. Of course, I have a full-time job and (back then) unpredictable free time, due to issues with my kids. That said, you can do it. You just have to figure out whatever mind games you need to play with yourself to get in the right headspace.
Best of luck with your new release. Send me the deets when the time comes, and I'll post about it.
I can absolutely understand the anxiety and pressure, but you've been putting stuff out, so I know ya can do it!
I have definitely experienced that pressure, but mainly it's pressure we put on ourselves. If only we could shove ourselves aside sometimes! Instead we have to remind ourselves why we started writing in the first place, and reclaim the joy of storytelling.
Hi Nick,
Congrats on your new release! I feel you on the anxiety around promoting. As a bookseller whose hosted many book signings my suggestion is to reach out to brick and mortar retailers and ask to speak to their event coordinator. Most booksellers are happy to host authors. They'll usually promote events through their own newsletters. Hope that helps. Sending you book promo vibes!
Bravo, Nick, to have the novel coming out. Unfortunately, I haven't had any books published. But. I understand your anxiety. I would feel the same way. Everyone is correct. Breathe and just try to do all you can. You can do this!
Congrats on your release from a traditional publisher. Yes, you find yourself accountable to the publisher more than when you self-pub. And yes, the pressure is there, but we have to remember our books are not here today and gone tomorrow. Your book will be up for, well possibly, as long as the publisher is in business. You can launch and re-launch anytime you wish. So relax, you have the rest of your life to sell books!
I understand that pressure, but you're probably in a better place than authors who go direct to trad publishing because you know what needs to be done and have done it before so the amount of work isn't as much of a surprise.
Nick, I'm sorry but I'm going to do a quick in and out as I have to keep reloading. Eek. JUst done it again. Smile and enjoy your book launch.
I appreciate this perspective! I've been published via magazines with essays and have had one short story published, but as for an actual book I've yet to have that experience. I've contemplated self-publishing for a while now. There's so much that goes into it. Because you HAVE to be EVERYTHING for every aspect of the creation of the book. Even choosing art and artists for the cover design if you're not gifted in that area (which I'm not!) It sounds like both a blessing and a curse to suddenly be handed the position of "just" creative development BUT, as a Type A personality, I'd be sitting on my hands in an attempt not to try and "suggest" how the publisher may do things or ask them to do/ not do others. Best of luck in this new journey and congratulations! And I'm sure once the initial hype dies down, you'll find a creative rhythm again.
I agree that being traditionally published puts a different kind of stress on you. But it is wonderful, isn't it? I'm sure you'll rise to the occasion. They believe in you and you should too.
Congratulations on being traditionally published. I hope this is the first of many such writing-related successes. Truly, I kind of like being independent and a frugal indie writer, but I never thought of the added pressure of wanting to do 'good' work for those who believe in me. Maybe thinking about your readers and how they believe in your stories will help. Because isn't it really all about sharing your stories? And, yes, I do think we are privileged to be writers. Kudos to you! May the summer bring you new readers and many good words!
Hi Nick - sounds like you've some good encouraging comments here - if you're not nervous, or anxious ... something's wrong - all the best and with thoughts - cheers Hilary
I hope the "hat shift" is going well for you. Nervous energy is probably normal for any big endeavor.
July 4 is Alice in Wonderland Day, a commemoration of when the story was first told to the Liddell sisters by Lewis Carroll in 1862.
J Lenni Dorner (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) ~ Speculative Fiction &Reference Author, OperationAwesome6 Debut Author Interviewer, and Co-host of the #AtoZchallenge
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