It SHOULD NOT signal: that this is the right opportunity for you. That you need to pounce on it this instant, or your opportunity to be an author will go away. That the editor's idea is one that you have to adopt.

It SHOULD signal: 1. you're qualified to write a book; it's time to get over your imposter syndrome. 2. you're getting yourself out there well! Good work! and 3. If you don't have an agent, this is one of the best possible times to shop competitively and get one from the top tier

One thing I discuss in the podcast is your digital footprint. The first thing an agent or publisher interested in your work will do is google your name. The worse result is to find nothing. #pubtip

"Make a List of Personal Influencers"

Thanks @Janice_Hardy for inviting me to share on #FictionUniversity !!!

blog.janicehardy.com/2020/01/writer…

#pubtip
#agenting

AM #pubtip: I'm meditating a lot on the challenge of completion bias right now via @jkglei's excellent Reset course. If you're unfamiliar with it and a writer, it's an excellent thing to know about. Completion bias = the high we feel when we mark something Done on our to-do list.

Some real talk here about why it doesn't mean much when your like grandma tells you she loves your book. Unless your grandma is an agent or editor.

katemckean.substack.com/p/it-doesnt-ma…

#amwriting #amediting #pubtip #amquerying

You could be stuck with a fatigued publisher for your next book & new editor who doesn't appreciate it. If given a choice, I would opt for single book deals unless the advance & terms being offered are outrageously good.

But what if my first book didn't sell well? Isn't it great to have a guarantee for the next book? Yes & no. Many publishers put the same level of enthusiasm with the 2nd book even if the 1st didn't sell well. But some don't, not to mention editors leave.

If your book sells a ton of copies, theoretically you should get a nice bump in the advance for your next book. Except in a multiple book deal, the level was already set. You're leaving money on the table.

A client asked if we could get a 3 book deal and I said even if we did, I would advise against taking it. Here's why. The sales of your book dictate the level of advance you will get for your next book. #pubtip

Here is the EXCLUSIVE and DEFINITIVE list of questions to ask agents when you talk to them on the phone about representation.

katemckean.substack.com/p/questions-to…

j/k there is no list but this is about why

#amquerying #writingcommunity #amwriting #pubtip

Saturday AM #pubtip: if you’re an author looking for rep and you read an agent bio that says the person “has worked with” extremely famous authors at previous jobs, be sure to ask them, “does that mean you actually repped them?” But not for the reason you think!

On Sale Date: the big day! The one that matters to authors/readers. The actual day the book is live and available to purchase! 🥳 🥂

This is the date the public thinks of as "pub date" or "release date" etc, but in-house we call it "on sale date" to be crystal clear.

#pubtip

Release Date: somewhat ambiguous but essentially the day books can be "released" from the warehouse and shipped to stores and/or the day digital files are sent to online distributors/retailers.

I think. It's behind the scenes stuff. *shrug*

#pubtip

Pub Date: a general publication MONTH.

Ex: we call it a "February pub" and the date is 2/1/20. You may see 2/20 on an ARC etc. This is how we organize titles for our seasonal schedules. It is not the actual day a book is on sale. It's often not a Tuesday!

Confusing! #pubtip

#PSA to the book world! Some publishers (like HarperCollins) have 3 key terms & dates re: the publication of a book.

Pub Date. Release Date. On Sale Date.

The public uses them interchangeably but they mean different things to us. A random (but useful?) thread! #pubtip

Here is a #pubtip I wish those of us who write and sell nonfiction were better at communicating--to ourselves, to others, and especially to new authors:

Quality nonfiction does not develop on an assembly line. It develops organically and ambiguously, in lurches and recursions.

Please indicate whether you're querying with a fiction or nonfiction project. It's not always obvious. Thank you. #pubtip #amquerying

There are many variations. Best to agree upfront how you & your editor will work together. Editors usually work on several projects at a time so need to plan when a mss is coming in for editing. #pubtip #amediting

2) Write & turn in a chunk of the mss (3-4 chapters, half of mss) to make sure you’re on the right track & get feedback from editor before finishing mss.