Author Insight: Publishing Misconceptions

What was the biggest misconception you had entering the publishing industry?

 

"That I’d been ‘discovered,’ and it would be smooth sailing ever after." - Amy Kathleen Ryan, author of Glow.

"Probably that you revise your book a kajillion times to get an agent, and then you revise a bajillion times to get a publisher, and only then does the real work begin. Also, that no matter how well you negotiate, you'll never be able to get 'Free Tickets to the U.S. Open' included in your contract." - Brodi Ashton, author of Everneath.

"I did my research, so I wasn’t particularly disillusioned. I will say I was disappointed to discover that agents or editors are likely to demand changes, and then forget the manuscript they wanted the changes on. That bothered me the few times it happened to me." - Anna Sheehan, author of A Long, Long Sleep.

"I think my biggest questions were about the editorial process. How much would I have to change and for what reasons. I was lucky though to find editors at Scholastic who were solely concerned with making sure the book was the best it could be." - Jeff Hirsch, author of The Eleventh Plague.

"That I would be working in my studio most of the time. But I have learned very quickly that an author needs to get out on the road and meet readers. As a children’s book illustrator, I had some experience of speaking at schools and librarians, but as an author I am also invited to book festivals, librarians’ conferences and book fairs. I enjoy these events and I think they are extremely important. It’s not always easy getting up in front of a group of strangers but once I get going, I like telling audiences about what inspires me and how I work." -Teresa Flavin, author of The Blackhope Enigma.

 

"That early success would be followed by more early success. Instead it was followed by early failure!" -Susan Beth Pfeffer, author of Blood Wounds.

 

"I had the sadly misguided notion that my publisher would fly me around the country and possibly the world on a book tour to promote my debut novel. Ha ha!" - Jennifer Castle, author of The Beginning of After.

 

"That once you sold the book, the hard work was OVER! Not true. It's just begun." - Melissa Walker, author of Small Town Sinners.

 

"That it would get easier. The process of publishing might get more familiar - but I don't think it will ever get easier!" - Julia Karr, author of XVI.

"That the publishing industry operates like other business industries – because it doesn’t.  Everything in publishing is s-l-o-w and that was very difficult for somebody like me who comes from a business background." - Kiki Hamilton, author of The Faerie Ring.

 

"That things happened faster! The slowness I'd gotten used to with agents proved to be nothing compared to the slowness of publishing itself..." - Jaclyn Dolamore, author of Between the Sea and Sky.

Stop by Thursday to find out what misconceptions the other authors had upon entering the publishing industry.
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