"It was the best of times, it was the--what the heck. It was Queens, the place I grew up. Check out my memories, circa 1960, in my new series, "A Queens Childhood 101"
http://monicastangledweb.com/2012/06/04/a-queens-childhood-101/"
Five Things I Wish I Had Known When I Published My First Book
In twenty-eight days, my third novel, SILVER SPARROW will be officially released. It’s been almost ten years since my debut LEAVING ATLANTA and I have learned a lot since then. To give you a feeling for how long it has been, I am posting my very first author photo which was shot by a friend’s boyfriend against the backdrop of a bed sheet. Like that old commercial said, You’ve Come A Long Way, Baby. But still, there are miles to go. The challenge of launching this novel is how to benefit from my past experience while still learning as I go forward. Every new book, every new launch has its own personality, its own blessing and challenges. To start off this new column—which I am filing under “new blessing”—I am going to list five things I know now that I wish I had known when I launched my first book.
- No one article or review will make or break me. When I published my first book, I got a slam from one of the pre-pubs and I was convinced that this was the end of my writing career. I literally lost sleep imagining bookstore owners, potential readers, librarians, etc. crossing my name off a list labeled GOOD WRITERS. About bad reviews or weird articles, my good friend Nichelle Tramble said it best—Let it spoil your breakfast, but don’t let it spoil your supper. In other words, mourn it and then keep moving.
- Honor every single reader. I am embarrassed to admit that as a young writer, I pouted if I showed up at a bookstore event and there were only two or people gathered. Where were the crowds I had dreamed of? Now, if I show up somewhere and there are only a couple of people, I treat them as though they were guests in my own home. They each took time out of their schedule to come to my reading. Whether there are two people in the audience or two hundred—and I have experienced both—I give the best presentation I can.
- Pace myself. I worked myself into the ground for my first two novels. I would accept any invitation and would travel any distance. The result was serious exhaustion and major damage to my personal life. This time, I am going to remember that promoting my book is only part of my life. It’s important to remember this because there is always something else you can do—another blog to comment on, another signing to do at a local book fair. But my resources are limited. For SILVER SPARROW, I am going to do my best, but also take care of myself.
- This is not my last book. Just knowing that this is not my last time to try takes a lot of the pressure off and allows me to sort of roll with the punches. Every magazine that decides not to cover SILVER SPARROW may very well come around for the next book. I am in this for the long haul. When I look at how far I have come in the last ten years, I understand what it means to really build a career. Baby steps are real progress.
- Keep writing. Publicizing the book is really important, but equally important is to get writing on the next project. My mentor, Ron Carlson, told me when I was on the road with my first book to print out a few pages of the next project. He told me to write one word every day. Of course, I didn’t do it, but I am going to do it this time around. When I was first given the advice, I didn’t understand it—it was so inconvenient to write from a hotel room, and besides, I was too keyed up. But now I understand. He wanted me to remember that I was a writer, not just a salesman. He wanted me to keep putting words down on paper, so I could remember who I am.
Comment
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Comment by Augie on January 20, 2012 at 10:23pm -
Tayari, thank you---this gives each one of us a little more hope that the 'big houses' need to learn, that we are writers and we do not quit because of rejection. Heck I hear no everyday so what's one more.
Remember when LP's were the hit, Reel to Reel, 8-Tracks, Cassettes, those little bitty discs (I never could remember their names) and CD's and the craze back to vinyls (I still have mine), don't believe they'll ever be as popular as they were in their heydays, anyway what I am getting at is that self-publishing is the way to go, but we must be respectful of the written language and its use. Thank you for this piece. Augie HIcks
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Comment by Catherine McNamara on November 30, 2011 at 11:56pm -
Lovely and inspiring words. My debut novel is coming out next spring and I too have excluded almost everything to get this work onto the road. I have lost balance! So thank you, you've given me some food for thought.
(ps I still love the new novelist photo!)
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Comment by Marika Christian on October 16, 2011 at 7:10pm -
Thank you for sharing this! I am going to be at my first panel of mystery writers on the 25th - and I've been worrying that no one will come or be interested in my pee wee book. #2 is what I needed to hear!
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Comment by Augie on August 20, 2011 at 2:40pm
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Tayari, I enjoyed this post, thank you for helping us to remember that there will always be critics--some good--others not-so-good, but we to take it in stride. We are professionals (with feelings), but mostly we are writers and that puts us in the category with centuries of writers before us and the ones up and coming. thank you
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Comment by Roxanne Harris on May 10, 2011 at 7:50am -
This is right on time for me. Thanks for the insight and the sharing.
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Comment by Nancy MacMillan on May 6, 2011 at 8:33pm -
I'm so proud of you, and your candor. It gives the rest of us courage. Would love to hear from your journal when you return . Happy travels, and may you sell many, many, many . . .
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Comment by Tayari Jones on May 6, 2011 at 5:26pm -
What's funny is that I keep re-reading this myself. My pub date for SILVER SPARROW is right around the corner. My publisher is getting behind the book in a big way-- 30 city tour! I am excited, but also nervous and trying to keep my wits about me. Even when you've done it before, every new book brings it's own challenges. I think I am going to keep a journal this time. Just to be focused in the morning and to write something just to write it and not with one eye toward publication. I am trying not to be hard on myself-- this is silly, but I am not taking any tight clothing. I want to feel comfortable and not worry about stupid little things like whether that room service I ate is going to wind up on my hips and make my dress fit funny. It's easy to get paranoid on the road and lonely and my tour will have me out for six weeks. I need to breathe and take care of myself and take pleasure in this experience. I worked a long time for it.
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Comment by Caroline Bock on May 6, 2011 at 4:59pm -
I keep re-reading this piece -- and thinking, listen to her, listen to her -- I have my debut novel - LIE - coming out August 30th --
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Comment by Kathryn Hunt on May 5, 2011 at 2:58pm -
Thanks for sharing your wisdom from the road. Your mentor sounds great. Writers write. He reminded you of that -- it's really is how we remember who we are. Good luck with the tour. Congrats on the book!
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Comment by bj rosenfeld on May 5, 2011 at 2:02pm
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Tayara,
Marketing your book can take over your life if you let it. Thanks for your wise advice.
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Monica Medina commented on the group 'She Writes in California'"It was the best of times, it was the--what the heck. It was Queens, the place I grew up. Check out my memories, circa 1960, in my new series, "A Queens Childhood 101"
http://monicastangledweb.com/2012/06/04/a-queens-childhood-101/"
Valorie Grace Hallinan replied to the discussion 'What did you blog about Today?' in the group Blogging about Books and Writing!"Today, I bid a fond farewell to the Pacific Northwest, where I thought a lot about enlightenment, exceptional books, great coffee, and the astounding beauty of nature. You can read about it at Books Can Save a Life. …"
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