The Truth in Publishing

The Truth in Publishing
Thursday, August 11, 2022 by Cindy Sproles

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay So, (I realize you should not start a sentence with so, but this is necessary. Oh. Not but either. However? Nope, not that one either.) Let me start again. :)

I’ve recently worked with some writers who are newbies. It’s so refreshing to work with those who are just beginning. Their enthusiasm rubs off and it, if I’m honest, it’s like a sweet balm to my heart. I love listening to their aspirations, dreams, and desires as a writer. They’re excited and everything they do exudes excitement.

They attend conferences filled with excitement and dreams and then...it hits. Reality. Part of our jobs as faculty at a conference is to offer encouragement, direction, and assistance to new writers. We want them to understand that within this business, (or at least the Christian end of it), there is room for everyone.

Faculty members spend hours in preparation, study, and doing critiques as we ready ourselves for the next conference. When we meet with a conferee who has a particularly unique piece of work, we may ask, “Send me that work. Let me take a closer look.” And all we hear are crickets.

I’ve often wondered why. I never missed sending something to an editor or publisher who requested it. But apparently, this is a real issue since at the last conference I attended, I ask for five people to send me their work and here I am, a month out, and NOT ONE PERSON sent me their work.

This is where the so, comes in:

SO, I want to breathe some truths into you about publishing. Take them in, think about them, and then take action where necessary.

When an editor or publisher asks to see your work they mean it. A conference is the one place of grace where writers can meet face to face with publishers, acquisition editors, and editors. Meeting with these folks is like getting a gift card from Starbucks. This is your one opportunity to have an invitation into the door without an agent. Most publishers do not accept unsolicited (i.e. un-agented) manuscripts. So, when they ask you to send your work, it’s an honest invitation. If you were starving and someone offered you a double cheeseburger, would you turn it down? I hope not. Nor should you take lightly, an invitation to send your work to this door that has just been flung open for you. If your work is requested, send it as soon as possible.
Rarely does a contract come to a brand new writer. Writing is a craft and it has to be learned and honed. There are few who walk into this business with a picture of perfection. Self-publishing divisions will encourage you with a contract and that’s well and good if you take advantage of the skills offered within their companies to help you turn out well-written work. For the most part, for a writer to receive a contract from a traditional publisher (and remember there are exceptions to every rule), it takes six-eight years to finally reach the level of writing required for publication.
What are the odds of a publisher taking a time-sensitive book from a new author and publishing it? Well, folks might say they’d like that manuscript so they can get it out before xxxx day. SOO, here is the truth. Unless you’re a celebrity, most publishers are not going to snatch up your time-sensitive book. There, again, are exceptions, like a school shooting survivor, for example, with a unique story but for the most part, it rarely happens. What saddens me about this is yes, a story and writer may be really good, but unless you are served a contract at that moment, your work is still going to go through “the process.” That means the publication board, editors, marketing experts, and the publisher themselves. The process takes time. IF you submit to a publisher at their invitation, the odds are better, but if not, well...there’s the email coming into the editor. The work goes on the bottom of their knee-high acquisitions stack. It can take weeks or months for an editor to get through the stack and find your work. The process still has to happen.
CAN I BE ANY MORE DISCOURAGING? LOL. I hope not. But for me, the subjects we talk about are smothered in loving encouragement. Conference after conference I speak with discouraged conferees who come into the business with a picture in their mind of how things work. I see many walk away disappointed and never write again. But, when you can see the real picture and have the information, you can set appropriate goals.
Publication is wonderful but most need bloody knees. It is wonderful to see your book finished and in print and it means even more when you’ve trod the road of rejection, climbed the ladders of learning the craft and swam the waves of possibilities. Educate yourself. Be realistic with your goals and before you know it, your time will come.
Never underestimate God’s timing. Please don’t rush the process. God has a plan and when we run ahead we run out of His will for the work. Learn what He is teaching you along the way and when the timing is right by His hand, you will be published SUCCESSFULLY!

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Comments

Theresa Parker Pierce From Granite Quarry NC At 8/17/2022 1:36:00 PM

This was full of truth. I am in year three and the newness has not worn off. I’m learning and but by very ~ very slowing growing. I am at the turning point of discouragement but I plan to dig my heels in only because Cindy, Heather and Elaine (you know who you are) have spoken fresh life into the

Reply by: Cindy Sproles

Good for you. Just do it.

Elizabeth H. Van Lie From Montrose, Co 81403 At 8/17/2022 1:08:27 PM

I can only say it must have been God's will when I showed Eddie my possible devotional and he called you in on it. Bit by bit, it is still in the hands of readers as I continue to pray it brings people into God's presence.