10 Tools Needed on Your Traditional Publishing Journey
If you’re planning to jump into the traditional publishing pool, it’s important to dive in with eyes wide open. Yes, it will burn a little but it’s worth it to be prepared. As someone who has gone through the process, I want to offer some tools to help you on your journey.
(17 Pros & Cons of Traditional Publishing vs. Self-Publishing.)
Before I get into that, let me briefly share my own experience from draft to slush pile to debut. I started writing my first book many years ago, querying it with magical items called paper and SASEs. That book now rests comfortably on floppy discs in my attic alongside another first draft I never edited because I traded in leisurely writing time for diapers and sleepless nights. But those littles grew into bigs and I needed a distraction from Life 360! Cue writing.
I enrolled in a continuing education class on writing a novel and eventually wrote a book that landed me an agent—after 85 rejections. However, after 18 months, I failed to get a book deal and decided to part ways with my agent, hoping to indie publish my next book—a book I had written during NaNoWriMo in 2015. I edited that manuscript and, like the insane person I am, decided to query one more time. That siren’s call was hard to ignore!
After 80 more queries, I got one more yes. An amazing agent plucked me from her slush pile and helped me (after a few more rejections from editors) land a publishing deal for my book, Broken Bayou. Now, onto those tools I mentioned.
10 Tools Needed on Your Traditional Publishing Journey
Tenacity: Like The Little Engine That Could, every step of the way, you will need to tell yourself “I think I can.” There’s no room for negative self-talk here. If it starts to creep in, write it down then tear it up and throw it away. No matter what, keep climbing that hill.Realistic Goals: This may seem counterintuitive to the above but sometimes the book you think will get a deal isn’t the one that does. If you’re not getting full requests when you query and you’ve exhausted your agent list and done all the editing you can do, it may be time to pivot. Know when to shift that goal to a new book.A Love for Writing: Part of keeping going is keeping writing. I recommend starting your next book when your first is out on query. You will have a lot of time on your hands, and writing your next novel will keep you from checking your inbox every five minutes! And you want that next book done in case the one you’re querying isn’t the one…or, even better, in case it is! Show that agent you’re not a one-hit wonder.Skin of Armor: Rejection is the name of the game, and it can be tough. Querying is a buckle-up buttercup moment…that can last a year. If only Amazon sold protective cloaks we writers could put on when we enter the query trenches! But remember, the tougher your skin, the longer you’ll make it in this business.Patience: And speaking of this business…in the fable The Tortoise and the Hare, traditional publishing is the rock they both pass! However long you think it’s going to take, triple it. Just so you know, I still haven’t heard back from some of the agents I queried, even ones who didn’t specify “no response means no.”Failure: Remember the path to success is paved in failure. If you’re not failing, you’re not trying hard enough. If you fail at landing an agent that first time in the query trenches, congratulate yourself. It means you’re closer to getting one with the next book. Time to revisit those first five on the list and move on. Kristen Weber has a great blog post about this on Substack titled: Numbers Game: How many rejections is too many?A Writing Group: Writing can get lonely. Aside from our needy pets, we also need other writers in our circle. I highly recommend finding other writers in your community or online. They will rally around you and help you survive the rollercoaster ride. My book would not be possible without my writing crew.A Polished Manuscript: This may seem like a no-brainer, but I’ve seen some real doozies over the years, including ones I’ve written. Find classes on craft, formatting, and editing. Look for feedback from beta readers and critique partners and, if your budget allows, a freelance editor who can edit while preserving your voice. I like sites like Inked Voices and Bianca Marais’ Great Beta Reader Match Up as well as sources like Jane Friedman. And don’t worry over every comma! Your voice and your hook can sell a book with a few comma splices. I sold mine with a scene that made absolutely no sense because I had edited out the character! You want your MS ready, professional, and edited but don’t be afraid to leave in a little grit. Your grit may be what sells it.A Solid Query Letter: That means one with a HOOK, STAKES, and COMPS. I highly recommend the podcast, The Sh*t No One Tells You About Writing for this. I still listen to it every week. You will learn so much from those ladies!Saved Reels From Your Favorite Comedians: I prefer Leanne Morgan—Have something close that will make you laugh because the old saying “laughter is the best medicine” has never been more true than when traditionally publishing a book.
I hope these tools are helpful as you embark on your journey to traditional publishing.
Knowledge is power. The more you understand the process, the better chances you have to ride it out. It’s time to pack up that toolbox, remove those protective goggles, and dive in.
If you ever need a swimming buddy, please reach out to me!
Good luck!
Check out Jennifer Moorhead’s Broken Bayou here:
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