You have to want it so hard that it hurts
‘I want to be an author’
‘I want to write a book’
These are conversations I have on a daily basis. Truthfully I am a bit tired of this messaging. Of course this is NOT what I should be saying. I should be encouraging you to write a book, right? This is my business – coaching and supporting authors.
So why am I saying this? Because you don’t know how LONG and HARD it is. I see all these ‘coaches' who tell you that you should write a book, that it will ‘build your brand.’ Hmmmmm. I want to say after 23 years in the books business… ‘not always’.
Sure, I want you to write a book (if you do), but as a literary agent I just want to put into perspective what that really means. So let me fill you in on the long haul of a book.
On all my writing groups I refer to myself as ‘the bringer of bad news’, but what I am really doing is setting realistic expectations before you embark on this massive undertaking.
Because it is massive, (unless you use AI in which case it’s a journey of plagiarism).
The writing process will take well over a year. In fact most of my authors will tell you it took them 3 – 7 years to finally get to a final draft, ready to be seen by the world. Then there is the pitching process. Now that is soul-stripping.
Query letters. Rejected.
More query letters. No replies.
Often the querying takes a year. It can also result in nothing, no matter how ‘good’ your book is. Even as an agent it can take me a year to get any traction on a book.
Then if there are no bites we start the road to discuss self-publishing or indie publishing. These are sobering chats for an author, and there are costs attached that can be big.
Let’s assume your book finally launches on Amazon, Audible and in print. It is the most exciting moment, and also the most demanding. Now it’s real work for the next five years. Book launches, talks, making social media posts.
The remarkable thing is that books do not simply ‘sell’. It is a competitive market and it requires a lot of hard work, money and a good publicist. You need a Masters degree in Amazon let me tell you.
I know this from promoting all my own books, as well as my nonfiction authors I represent.
The books sell when you do talks, events and promotions.
Books sadly don’t just sell unless you throw yourself behind them, heart and soul. I launched Write your Book in 100 Days as Covid hit – no events and no launches. It has taken six years to get our sales rocking.
My best selling authors book at least 10 talks in the first six months of a book coming out.
Why is it so hard to sell books? I can answer you in one word. Oversupply. There is simply a glut of books in the market. There are so many being pumped out on a daily basis that its staggering. Your magnificent voice is a blip on the noise radar, and that is hard to accept when you pour so much love into a book.
For my novel writers this process is actually different. Yes novels can sell without any promotion at all, they sell on reader reviews (so best you write a cracker and get your friends to review it.)
I got a call a few weeks ago from one of my authors who was concerned about sales. The distributor had taken 20 books from her, and returned half five after six months. They sold ten in total. Most of the authors I chat to have sold 200 -500 books.
Those are levelling figures friends.
So why do you want to write a book?
Fame? Not going to happen easily.
Money? Sorry.
Share your story? This is valid, but also should it be an 80,000-word book? Or a newsletter, blog or essay perhaps?
To get published?
Here are the reasons most who get to the end and publish actually write a book.
The lifestyle. You love going to book events, giving talks and connecting with people.
You think small and hope big. You write for your tribe. That can be your family, company or association. Think smaller and tighter and it really works. If it travels beyond that, even better.
You pitched a book, and it was commissioned. I say this again and again in my writing groups. Come up with a good concept and pitch it. Publishers love a strong idea. Biographies, current affairs, history, though leadership, academic books. My wonderful author Verushka da Vita pitched about about the ocean, because she loves water. Now her book is all over the world.
Community and fun. The book world is a vibe. There are launches, events, readings and writing groups. Even if only your family read it, you have a book and you can attend!
If I still haven’t put you off, then are you serious.! I like you - let's get your book moving forwards.
If you want to write with me here are a few ways.
We have a few quiet and wonderful writing retreats a year. They do fill up ridiculously fast but we have spaces for Greece in June and we are planning one in Tuscany in July (info loading)
The best first step is to book a publishing consultation or a chat.
Apply for a writing mentorship over 12 months
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