If you could change one thing about your journey to publication what would it be?
"I might've gotten out of my own way and started on the road a little earlier. I spent a long time being afraid to dive into writing, afraid I wasn't good enough. My own doubts held me back. But generally, I don't like to mess with the past--even theoretically. Look what almost happened to Marty McFly! That's bad mojo, man!" - Sarah Ockler, author of Bittersweet.
"The giving up. About three months after we sent Above on submission, and after piles and piles and drifts of the most loving and complimentary rejection letters you ever saw, I realized that I had done my very best, and that this was probably not going to happen. And then I gave up, quietly mourned the idea of selling a novel, and started looking around in the rest of my life for something to chase; something to devote myself to instead." - Leah Bobet, author of Above.
"My book has been done for a while, but we waited for a pub date that would give us the most buzz and exposure. Ultimately it’s the right thing to do, and I’m thrilled the publisher is dedicated enough to think about these things, but I’m very impatient and want it out already!" - Aaron Karo, author of Lexapros & Cons.
"I would start sooner. Way sooner." - Ann Stampler, author of Where It Began.
"I wish I had started earlier, taken a bigger risk, and been more sure that I had a story to tell and would find someone who wanted to hear it." - Robin Wasserman, author of The Book of Blood and Shadow.
"Well, it would have been nice to sell the movie rights to my book first for a whole ton of money and then landed some super huge book deal, but other than that I wouldn't really make any changes." - Alissa Grosso, author of Ferocity Summer.
"There was a long period when I was writing short stories and submitting like mad without selling a single one. I guess I could've done without that." - Kendare Blake, author of Girl of Nightmares.
"I wouldn’t have put so much pressure on myself to sell a book. Then again, if I hadn’t put so much pressure on myself, I might not be published today. So I take it back. Revision: I wouldn’t have convinced myself that happiness, fulfillment, and validation hinged on publication. Because they don’t." - Jennifer Bosworth, author of Struck.
"I wish I had found the courage to start earlier. I kept waiting to give myself permission to write a novel, as though there would be a specific time that I would have something to say. What a waste of time!" - Meg Medina, author of The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind.
"Nothing. It happened quickly, with the right agent and the right publisher at the right time in my life. I feel so lucky…even though it means that I frequently look over my shoulder to make sure a bus isn’t going to run me down in exchange for my publishing deal." - Cat Patrick, author of Revived.
"My stress level! I'm still working on that. Neurosis is not conducive to good writing. Well, okay, obviously it worked for some of the literary greats, but in addition to publishing books, I'd like to also be a happy person." - Gwen Hayes, author of Dreaming Awake.
"I don’t dwell on the past. It wastes the present!" - Nina Malkin, author of Swear.
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