Dear Debut Authors,
2012 is almost here, and you’re no doubt freaking out. Will you make foreign sales? Audiobook sales? Will you sell at all? Why isn’t your cover up on Indiebound? Why is the wrong cover up on Amazon? What if nobody wants to interview/guest blog/blog tour you? Why did that person on Goodreads just give you two stars for a book that’s not even off your hard drive yet?! What if none of the other authors like you? What if the booksellers hate you? How do you do a launch party!? Do you need a launch party!?
What if you don’t have anything and that author there has EVERYTHING? Will your book be in the catalog? The catalog for Bologna? What are they saying at Bologna? London? Frankfurt? Why haven’t you sold another book yet? What if this first book in your series tanks, oh god, you have two more books to come after it! What if Kirkus hates it? What if Kirkus ignores it? What do the B&N rankings mean? What about the Amazon rankings? OH MY GOD WHAT DOES THIS BOOKSCAN MEAN!?
I’m here to tell you a thing I wouldn’t have believed in October 2008, right before my debut novel came out. And that thing is: I know you’re going nuts right now but eventually, you’ll care less. I know it seems impossible when there’s so much to learn and so much at stake.
But one day, you’ll care less. You’ll forget a foreign rights festival was coming up. You’ll willingly ban yourself from Goodreads. You’ll stop charting every single lead title in your year by B&N ranking and Amazon ranking in an attempt to figure out how many books you have to sell to get to 42 on one and 523 on the other.
And this is a good thing. Right now, you’re at the place where you have to do all the things, and learn all the things, and freak out about all the things so you can eventually relax and just write your books.
The marketing push your house gives you is going to be the biggest push available; the things you can do for yourself aren’t nearly so encompassing as it may seem at this moment. And the thing that matters, that truly, truly matters, is writing a great book.
But, maybe it will help you better enjoy your debut– your one and only debut– to have some answers. So…
Will you make foreign sales? Maybe. The less regional your book is, the more likely it is to sell elsewhere.
Audiobook sales? Maybe. I’ve never gotten one; they seem to go for lead titles and perennial favorites rather than midlist debuts.
Will you sell at all? Yes, you will. There has never been a book in the history of books that sold ZERO copies.
Why isn’t your cover up on Indiebound? Sometimes they don’t get sent through. You can ask Indiebound to add it. Just create an account there, then go here to add your cover.
Why is the wrong cover up on Amazon? Amazon has spiders that crawl the Internet and pull information automatically. Your book cover is one of those things. If your publisher has an alternate cover on their webspace or FTP site, Amazon will pull it and post it. Feel free to mention it to your agent or editor, but don’t worry. As soon as the correct cover goes live online, Amazon will replace it.
What if nobody wants to interview/guest blog/blog tour you? Somebody will, I promise. I will interview you for your debut. Ta da!
Why did that person on Goodreads just give you two stars for a book that’s not even off your hard drive yet?! Sometimes, people accidentally add stars when they mean to just add you to a TBR list. Sometimes people want to vote down books they think are competition for their favorites. Sometimes, people just suck. This is one of those things that is literally out of your control. Accept the struggle and stop struggling against it!
What if none of the other authors like you? We will. Writing YA & MG is like joining a big club. We already like you; we’re thrilled that you sold your book. We can’t wait to meet you.
What if the booksellers hate you? Without you, no books. I promise, at least some booksellers will like you. (As long as you’re not a jerk!)
How do you do a launch party!? Let Editorial Ass tell you.
Do you need a launch party!? No, but if you like parties, they can be fun. Even if you don’t like parties, they can be fun.
What if you don’t have anything and that author there has EVERYTHING? Then that’s the way it is. If it makes you feel better, the people with everything are often pretty sheepish about it, and also kind of lonely because people keep their distance. Don’t keep your distance. They’re scared, too!
Will your book be in the catalog? Yes.
The catalog for Bologna? Si!
What are they saying at Bologna? Stuff in Italian. Foreign sales happen all year long, so don’t get wound up over one book fair. Especially since most deals don’t even close at the fairs.
London? Frankfurt? See above, only replace Italian with English and German.
Why haven’t you sold another book yet? I’m not going to lie. Sometimes it takes a long time. Sometimes it takes a medium amount of time. As long as you remember that you’re not getting your NEXT deal, you’re getting A deal, that will help keep it in perspective. Every new book is a new experience. And if it takes a while, that’s okay.
What if this first book in your series tanks, oh god, you have two more books to come after it! Sometimes a series gets cancelled, it’s true. But you don’t get thrown out on your butt and told never to darken publishing’s door again. Sometimes the publisher will buy out your contract. Sometimes you and your editor will come up with a different book to fulfill your contract. Either way, there will be some disappointment and some opportunities, and quit worrying about the first book tanking anyway. It’s not even out yet!
What if Kirkus hates it? Chances are, they will. Consider it a badge of honor. Or make a video about it.
What if Kirkus ignores it? They may. But somebody else will pick it up. You’ll get trade reviews, eventually.
What do the B&N rankings mean? How well your book is selling both in the physical B&N stores and B&N online (compared to other books selling at B&N.) Less than 5000 is good. Less than 75,000 is not bad. But it’s still a relative number.*
What about the Amazon rankings? How well your book is selling compared to other books selling at the exact same time on Amazon’s website. This is ALSO a relative number; it doesn’t tell you much either.*
OH MY GOD WHAT DOES THIS BOOKSCAN MEAN!? Nothing. It only counts sales from reporting stores. It doesn’t capture sales from many Internet booksellers, from Wal-Mart, from libraries or schools. My bookscan number has always been 25% of my total actual sales. So even though Amazon lets you look at it, don’t worry about it too much. The sales numbers from your house, that you get on your royalty statements, are the ones that really matter.
I hope this helps. And if you’re ever freaking out, and just need somebody to talk you off a ledge? Drop me a line. Or ask on Twitter. Other authors are standing by to help you through this stressful time. No matter how completely insane it gets (worst the month before and the three months after your debut,) I promise you, it doesn’t last forever.
And better still– eventually you’ll care less. You’ll get back to doing what’s amazing and magical and wonderful about this job– writing your books. It really is a good thing.
Good luck,
Saundra
* Tell me one secret about the rankings so they matter! On the Sunday after your debut, if you debuted on Tuesday– if your book is in double digits on B&N and in triple digits on Amazon, then you may have sold enough books to hit the NYT Bestseller list.
** Tell me more about the NYT list! No. Let Jackson Pearce tell you instead.
Blocked GoodReads from my computer, haven’t checked Amazon page in 10 months, don’t check BookScan either, life is good, I wrote three novels this year as a result!
The magic of ignoring stuff: stuff actually gets done! And I can’t wait to read what you’ve been writing! Loved The Mockingbirds!
I love you. I mean it! I <3 you lots. This was the funnest and most true blog post I've read in yonks. <3<3<3
Leigh
Aww, I ? you right back! :D I’m glad it was familiar (and amusing!)
I adore you.
It is entirely mutual. <3
I love your advice!!!
Awww, thank you, Katie. You know I love you!
Very well put!
This stuff doesn’t really change at book 7 or 8, but it does start to feel less like something to freak out over, especially considering that as an author, there’s really not much you can do about any of it but focus on the next book. I found out very early that looking at goodreads, amazon, etc does little beyond angering up the blood.
I got to 3 before I was like, well, you know, wtfever. If I can’t fix it, I’m not paying attention to it. I get a lot more done now!
This was an absolutely wonderful post :-)
Thank you, Sarah! <3
OMG haven’t even heard of Bookscan, will I survive? Awesome post. Loved it. Bookmarked it! Thanks.
You will survive- and you will THRIVE!!
Thank you for the reminder. I needed this right about now.
I’m very glad I could help!
Marry me.
Let’s say, Ireland in the springtime?
This was a very, very welcome read! I am at the pinnacle of debut insanity (well…actually…it might get worse) and this helped so much to know I’m not the only one obsessing over things I have no say over anyway. THANK YOU for being so honest and helpful, Saundra!
It’s not just you, Megan, I promise! And good luck with The Madman’s Daughter. It sounds amazing!!
So very, very smart — as usual!
Awww, this is not smart! This is learning stuff the hard way and then sharing it so hopefully other people don’t have to. :D
It’s like a huge weight has lifted off my shoulders. Thank you so much. There are so many ridiculous, irrational fears associated with writing and publishing. I forget how much they weigh on me. Officially bookmarked.
Awww! I am so so glad it helped. It feels like there’s so much mystery and confusion in this industry, doesn’t it? I have no doubt you’re doing great! Keep on doing it, ignore the stuff you can’t fix, and it will be awesome!
You are my new Guru of Awesome!
:D I’ve never been a guru before, thank you!
Thanks for the insight… makes me feel a little be better lmao :)
A little is nothing to sneeze at! :D Thank you for reading!
What a great post! I’ll be sure to read it 500 more times if I get this first novel sold :). Thanks so much for sharing your insight and helping us newbies.
It will still be here when you sell your first novel! :D Good luck!!
Great post! The two weeks after my debut was the worst postpartum depression of my entire life. And I once had an 8lb baby with no anesthesia. (I know, TMI – but still true.)
Girl, no such thing as TMI in YAland. I know EXACTLY what you mean. In fact, that reminds me of a picture Christine Johnson found, and as soon as I track it down, I will send it to you! (Mysterious reply is mysterious!)
This was a really generous post–I’m not a YA author, but your kindness makes me want to be one.
Thank you very much; that’s so sweet! :D
Thank you for this clear-sighted, thoughtful post, Saundra! When at long last I get to have a debut novel, I will come back to it (probs more than once.) For now, I’ll follow that brill reminder to: focus on writing the best book in me, and be smart enough to take the most pleasure possible in the process.
That’s always the most important thing. Love the writing! That’s the one thing that’s in your control!
That was brilliant! Loved it. I have a feeling I’ll be coming back to read this many times.
Aww, thank you! And I hope it helps when you come back many times! :D
You are a bucket full of awesome!
AH, I just learn things the hard way! It’s a pleasure to be able to share!
Thanks for the reassuring post! I’ll be keeping this bookmarked to remind myself of all of these things when my debut comes out in 2013!
Make sure you enjoy it! No matter how much weirdness rises up unexpectedly, enjoy that day!
Saundra, you rock. This post is wonderful.
You rock right back, Kim! <3
<—There's a big cyber hug for you! And thanks for making me all teary-eyed. Sometimes it's easy to feel like you're all alone in our debut anxieties, and it's good to know we're not.
BIG HUGS BACK!! I promise, you are NOT alone. Whatever crazy thing has taken up residence in your brain, I promise, you’re not the only one. *hugshugshugs*
My debut pubbed last week. Your post is exactly what I needed. I have already read it twice. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
*hugs* I’m SO glad to help! And congratulations on your debut!
Awesome! Love this.
Thank you very much!
Wonderful! I SO needed this!
Thank you.
I’m so glad it could help! *hugs*
Saundra, I wish I had read something like this before my first book came out. Really wise words, and well worth remembering!
*hugs* Thank you so much for reading; I’m sorry you didn’t have something when your first book came out. This industry is crazymaking, it really is!
I’m not even published yet at all, but this is a wonderfully reassuring post. That’s a lot of good karma you have built up here!
I jus want to help, for reals. It’s a bewildering amount of stuff to learn in a wildly tiny amount of time.
This post does make me feel a lot better. I don’t think I’ve been obssessing about any of this quite yet, but part of me has been feeling guilty that I haven’t been obssessing! I’m pretty good so far at letting go of the things that aren’t in my control, but I’m stressed trying to figure out how I can do MORE MORE MOOOORRRRE, and that kind of stress keeps me from writing more often than not!
AHahah, see how Writer Brain tricks you? If you’re obsessing, well there’s that. if you’re not, you worry about not obsessing! And that sense that you can ALWAYS DO MORE? Bleh. Do what makes you happy, man. Write a good book and be proud of it, and that is ENOUGH!
I’m just going to keep this tab open in Firefox and take a look whenever I start getting that slightly hysterical feeling.
Thanks for a fantastic post.
:D I’m so glad to help! Blog posts are probably better for you than liquor in the long run. :D
I am not an author, just a reader…and this post is absolutely FABULOUS! sharing now!
Thank you so much!! And dude, there is no such thing as JUST a reader. You’re a reader, and that PWNS!
Wonderful post! INTERN approves EXTREMELY.
INTERN!! You’re back from India!!! Welcome back! I bask in your approval. :D
Bless you. You are a saint. Plus I’m still laughing at that video:)
Isn’t Lara Zielin great?? You should check out her other videos; she’s absolutely hilarious. :D
Sometimes, people just suck.
And sometimes they write just what people need.
:D Thank you!
Seconding what Leigh said. I panic so much, and this is such a help. I love you. For real. Thank you. <3
You are most welcome; thank you so much for reading and your kind words. Hang in there, Claire! It gets easier!
My debut was March this year. I am now less frantic and paranoid. I am even planning to work on a book at Nano..Back to writing…yay…sigh…relief. Your words are re-assuring. Thanks for the warm hug from you to us newbies.
*hugs* Good luck with your Nano book, and thank you for reading! I’m glad to help; I still feel like a newb most of the time, but I know one or two things now!
I like you. I really, really like you. I don’t debut until 2013, but I’ve already decided that I will shield myself from Goodreads and I’ll probably come back to read this a dozen times when I’m freaking out about Kirkus reviews and bookscan.
But my launch party will rock! Want to come?
Ooh, you live in Chicago? That’s not far! Make sure to announce your launch party and I will try to get up there!! And congratulations on your debut– there will be crazy between now and then, but I promise, it will be worth it!
THANK YOU!!!
My book came out two weeks ago, and yeah -it’s like the first time I sent something out for critique – only WAAAY worse . . .
Seriously, because everybody in the world is poised there to say SOMETHING, aren’t they? But you’ll get through, and before you know it, you’ll be on to the next book and the next, and the insanity dims a little each time!
What a brilliant post! I am definitely keeping this info for when I’ll need it. Thanks! Thanks, too, for linking to Jackson Pearce.
Jack has tons of informative, fun videos! I recommend watching them all at your leisure!
Where was this post in the fall of ’07?! Awesome.
Man, I dunno! It was still MIA in 2008, too! Although, I have to say– I had a wee little freak out and wrote to Cynthia Leitich Smith, because I had heard she’d given a speech about how everybody says BOOKS ARE DEAD, and has been for 13 years. And she totally talked me off that ledge. Total stranger to her, what an amazing woman. I want to be like her when I grow up!
I may just have to print this out and mail it along with the contract to any new authors we sign.
Please do. Of course, don’t expect it to actually stick until they’re on book 3 or 4 or 5. LOL
Awe, thank you!!! This def made me feel all nice and appreciated and not as crazy as I thought I would be! I adore this! :)
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YOU are a superstar. I’m somewhere past postcard #500 (following your super debut advice), and my eyeballs are starting to glaze over. Thank you for being real and encouraging at the same time.
I also love and want to marry you and think you are made of awesome. Printed this and Going to keep this at hand. And I have to say, I’m comforted to see so many in the same boat here in the comments as well. Thank you so much. This post is really going to help lessen the pre-pub crazies!
I just came from your YouTube video, and wanted to thank you so much for your encouraging words. I am participating in NaNoWriMo this year. I will be writing a move. The first draft will suck. But that’s okay. That’s what first drafts are for. Thanks to you I know, I will be doing it right. Thank you.
All I can say is, “PERFECT BLOG POST!” (But I must be just a little bit insane because my second book Circle of Secrets came out a month ago and I’m still hyperventilating that I’ve only had one trade review so far, Kirkus. And yet, The Healing Spell already had several by now. I’m wondering if it has to do with a Summer release and now a Fall release . . . I dunno!) :-)
All the crazy stuff we worry and obsess over and try to second guess!!!
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