Frustrations of a Published Author

Writing a book has its ups-and-downs, there is no argument there. But what happens after you’ve done the work and have a shiny new manuscript to show for it? The truth is, as hard as it is to write a novel, the real frustrations tend to begin after it’s completed. First, there is the solicitation process, and I would be remiss not to include this information again here. As a rule, every aspiring writer who is prepared to submit their manuscript must submit to the Top Five. New authors are seldom accepted (if ever) by these publishers, but because there is no harm in attempting a submission, it ought to be attempted, simple as that. After all, there is always the chance, no matter how slight, that a new author will get lucky and get in. After an aspiring writer has been rejected from the Top Five, then comes submitting to the reputable independent publishers. I’ve written as to why aspiring writers should attempt traditional publishing before turning to self-publishing, and it can be read about here: http://nicolemaddalodixon.blogspot.com/2013/09/im-starting-my-blog-over-on-attempting.html This particular blog post also details how to go about choosing the right publisher to solicit to. Now, supposing a publisher likes what they see when they read your manuscript/proposal and send you a letter of acceptance, there is the waiting process. This entails the editing, and can take anywhere from nine months to a year. This time period is frustrating in-and-of itself because, though you have cleared the hurdle of finding and landing a publisher, you are raring to go and, despite having a book, it feels as though you have nothing to show for all of your work because your precious manuscript is held up (wisely) during the course of editing. Now, here comes a special sort of irritation: Once your book is sent to type-setting and is virtually on its away, its launch date within site, you’d think that you’ve finally made it—that you’ve proven to everyone, your family and friends, that you are in fact a serious writer and part of that elite 20% of Americans who say they are going to write a book and by-God actually do it. But, you’d be wrong, because after your book is finally available to the public and a tangible object that should propel you into the intellectual stratosphere, loved ones turn a blind eye. Why is this? There are a few reasons. Firstly, there was a book written in the 1930s by Brenda Ueland entitled “If You Want To Write” that explains how family and friends are terrible supporters of the aspiring writer. As for me, what I’ve found during my own experiences is that reasons for this may include the fact that your loved ones still see you as so-and-so and not a celebrated author (keep in mind that, famous or not, published authors are a celebrated bunch as they contribute to a celebrated medium). But I’ve also found that there is envy. Remember, most of us grow up wanting to do something, to be somebody; to set ourselves apart from the lot. Most of us, however, let that dream fall by the wayside as we get older for whatever reason. Maybe it’s deemed unrealistic, or unattainable, but I think in many cases what it comes down to is most people simply do not have the determination or belief in themselves to try. God help you if you are the one who tries and succeeds because it seems you are not allowed to show pride as those who have either given up after failing once, or never even bothered in the first place, will snub you for your achievement. I have found that I am unable to discuss my book in a group setting because others don’t want to listen. I cannot figure how to get around this because, as a newly published author who is still trying to pave the way for a future career in writing, my life revolves around this one aspect of my life. My book (my trilogy, in fact) is my life’s work; it’s what’s happening. But others perceive your discussing it as a means to show off and brag. It’s an unfair situation that needs addressing, and in my case, I’m on the verge of doing just this. If I am confronted by another person rolling their eyes when I bring it up (and mind you, I purposely do not bring it up often for fear of making others feel “inferior” [their problem, not mine] which is entirely unfair, selfish, and cruel to a degree) I’m going to have to give a verbal smack-down and explain that they need to get over their own feelings of inadequacy and understand the fact that this is what’s going on with me, this is what I’m dealing with. This, my book, is what’s important in my life. These are the same people, mind you, who post photos of their children at various events with wild abandon—photos that really have zero significance. So-and-so backstage, so-and-so on the pitcher’s mound, so-and-so making goofy faces around the pool at a family BBQ. If this is allowed, why, then, is it not okay to discuss such a major triumph that is publishing a book? As I mentioned earlier, it is entirely unfair that those of us who have accomplished this amazing feat need to keep our enthusiasm to a minimum for the sake of not making others feel worthless. Again, that feeling of worthlessness is their problem, not yours. I never consider myself better than anyone else because of my accomplishment, but it goes back to what I had mentioned earlier: People want to separate themselves—they want to feel like they are “somebody”. Becoming a published author gives the writer some semblance of that feeling and reminds those who haven’t achieved anything particularly special that they’re average. It’s an unfair punishment us published authors are forced to endure, but there it is. And remember; I don’t consider myself more important than anyone else. It is others who project this sentiment onto me and my victory.