I had lunch with one of my lovely, talented, and supportive writer friends over the weekend and, of course, the subject of staying motivated to keep on writing during this tumultuous time in publishing was the dominant flow of the conversation. With only one book due out this year for me, when I’ve averaged 3 every year since 2015, I’m struggling with staying focused on writing and not worrying so much about being published.
Let me tell ya, it’s friggin’ hard!
When I look back on that first year I was published I remember being so awestruck about actually seeing my books in print. I didn’t worry so much about marketing and sales, I simply basked in the delight that a real-life publisher wanted to put out into the book reading world words I’d written, a story I’d penned. And then wanted to do it again!
Reality seeped in by book # 3 and I realized I needed to actually SELL copies of the book. Just having it published wasn’t enough ( altho it was for me!!) The publisher needed to get a return on their investment in me.
Well, dang!
Almost 3 years on from that first publication and my 10th book will go live live live on April 3. And then…nothing. I don’t have a publishing contract after that – and it’s not for lack of trying, believe you me! I’ve submitted several books and book proposals but none of them have been accepted.
And I think I need to insert the word YET here for my own sanity. If I don’t I think I’m gonna sink down into the depths of writing despair and depression.
I’m not kidding.
I’m one of those lucky writers who doesn’t need to write to put food on the table and keep a roof over my head – don’t hate me! But even so, it would be nice to actually have a publishing contract ANYWHERE that would enable me to keep my work in front of the romance reading population. Even though I don’t need to sell to live, it would be kinda nice to have a new work to actually…well, sell!
I have several dates on my February calendar circled. Dates where I have been assured I will hear back from the editors I’ve submitted to, either with a positive response or a rejection.
I’m really hoping-praying-believing that one of those responses is a YES!
Of course, I’ll let you know either way.
Le sigh.
In the meantime, I do have a book out now for Valentines Day titled 3 Wishes.
It’s a stand-alone and on sale for 99cents, plus it’s part of a Candy Heart Anthology from Wild Rose Press under the title Be My Hero.
And then on April 3, CAN’T STAND THE HEAT, book 3 in Will Cook For Love hits the shelves. Its available for pre-order now, though. ( Shameful plug!)
When I’m not being morose – or trying not to be anyway, you can find me here:Tweet Me//Read Me// Visit Me//Picture Me//Pin Me//Friend Me//Google+Me// Triber// Book Me
Peggy Jaeger, Author 
Goodness, Peggy! Three books a year! You should be damn proud. I’m gobsmacked. I only manage one a year, and trying to get sales to keep ticking over is a challenge I’m still trying to conquer. So keep the faith, you’re doing fantastic. It’s only a matter of time before one of your manuscripts gets picked up. Not to mention, you can self-pub……
Stay strong and sending you tons of luck with your upcoming release.
Anni xoxo
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Thanks, Anni!! I know 3 a year seems like a lot ( and it is!) but the reason I’m starting to panic is because I don’t want to lose momentum with people who’ve been reading my stuff. A new author of the minutes comes out every day and I just want to keep up the publishing pace I’ve been at. Self pubbing isn’t for me – too much work, plus I’m ignorant about everything involved with it!! Thanks for your kind words and encouragement!
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One of the hardest parts of being a writer is keeping the faith during the lulls. I’ve experienced the same thing. What helps me through is just to keep writing. My characters inspire me and when I’m inspired, well, it works. And then just keep submitting. Don’t give up. You’ve done a great job so far and you will keep on going, even if it doesn’t seem so right now.
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Thanks, Jennifer. That’s kind of what I’ve been doing….simply kept writing because I love my characters and want to tell their stories.
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Ah, yes, the much lamented “hurry up and wait” that is the author’s lot when out on submission. I think all us authors know it well. And it is discouraging to get little interest for our brilliant prose especially after we’ve published a few books. We’ve all been there. I find it comforting to know I’m not alone. Even big-name authors get their proposals nixed. (I’ve heard this from their lips. Writing conferences are a great place to hear all the juicy titbits over a glass or three of wine, hehe.) We write because we need to write. And because WE know our prose is brilliant (most of the time) we keep the faith, knowing out lovely stories will eventually reach our readers. As the great one once said, “Never give up. Never surrender!”
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Luanna – truth!! I subscribe to the Tao of Ngu Ngi – never give up and never give in
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I’ve been doing this for over twenty-five years. My career started out Cinderella style and then after a few years, completely fell apart. I didn’t sell a book again for almost ten years. (Although I self-published a few; not my thing either.Too much work and it left no time for writing.) Now I’m starting over and trying to build a career and it’s so much harder this time. So many books and so much promotion work to do. But I keep writing because I have a lot of stories to tell and because writing makes me happy. It’s not what I do, it’s who I am. And I tell myself that persistence is key in this business. Hang in there and keep going. The only real way you can fail is to quit. Cheers!
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Mary you are right – the only way to fail is to quit. And I’m no quitter! thanks for the boost!
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Hugs, we all experience this. You’re stories are wonderful and will find their home.
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Kayden! Thank you! I hope so..
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As I read every comment, I’m nodding my head. Sounds like we’re all on this journey together. Glad to have opportunities like this to hear others share their hopes and fears. And this group is SO good to celebrate the successes of others. Quite a little community. And I’m thrilled to be a part. 🙂
Keep on keeping on, Peggy. We have your back.
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One of my favorite shows is NCIS and when Gibbs says “I;ve got your six” it always makes me smile! So thanks for saying that, Sandra!!! And just fyi, I’ve got all your backs, too!!
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I’m in a mental slump right now. I’d love to hear anyone loves my work, but don’t feel anyone is reading my books. I have to buck myself up and continue on. I’ve read some of your books, Peggy, and you are a very good author. Chin up and keep the faith, things will get better.
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Ilona – we’ll all get thru this together!!! Because Roses rock!
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Sounds like you’re putting a lot of pressure on yourself. You have so many books published, you have two new ones coming out soon, and you’re all over social media. A person can only do so much in a day. Maybe, you just need to take a breath and enjoy your many successes. A new contract will come. You know it will, though waiting for an editor’s approval is exhausting. I wish you all the best. Keep on plugging.
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CB< thanks! I will!
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Okay…take a deep breath in and release all the anxiety of not having a contract, YET! Look at all your accomplishments. Your readers. Your stories that ARE published. Enjoy the journey, Peggy. As authors, we tend to always be focused-driven on the next book/contract that we forget to stand still and appreciate all that we have done. You ARE walking toward the next contract, and I do know you’re writing. Sometimes the train of success slows down around the bend on the tracks. Don’t worry, or worry will bite you back. Remain positive. Smile, and know you’re doing something you love. So proud of you! Psst…and trust me, I go through those days, too. Self-doubt is an author’s worst enemy.
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And another tidbit, Peggy…if your readers love your stories, they will wait. Trust me, my readers waited two years before my first book was published. They had to endure blog posts with snippets, teasers, and a stunning cover that I released EIGHT months before my actual release date! They are still my most loyal readers. Hugs!
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Mary #BLESSYOU!!! you are such a supportive gal and I sososososo appreciate it!
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Our culture says that committing to something this big – this time-consuming, this all-consuming, and this well, public, is okay only if there are tangible acknowledgements of its value. Acceptable acknowledgements are: first, acceptance by publishers, second (and really the most important, according to my upbringing), financial success; and third, a steady stream of credible reviews. To keep writing without a sufficient supply of the above is suspect. The whole world, including friends and family, measure success according to these from-the-outside-world criteria, not according to their own enjoyment of our words and not according to the satisfaction we derive from the work.
So… to do it anyway, for me, is an attempt to live a life that isn’t dependent on the world’s measures of success. To do it anyway is a gift to myself. It’s a valuing of myself that comes from my core. Looking for the part of me that can “do it anyway” is, for me, part of my spiritual practice.
I’m not saying I don’t lose track of that attitude. I do lose track of it ALL THE TIME, every time I get a less-than-5-star review, every time a friend asks a question that’s a thinly cloaked effort to find out if I’m getting rich off this writing thing or not. (Because how do they know what to think of it if they don’t know THAT?)
So, thanks for asking the questions and reminding me to recommit myself to myself – in all ways, including in my writing endeavor. It’s my path.
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Judy – excellent point. TO simply write for the shear job of writing is what we all should be doing!
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Pshaw. I haven’t even managed to pen my second book. You are doing fine…this just may be a year with less than you are used to. That is always a bit of a comeupppance, but then again, it gives you a chance to regroup and figure out what needs to change (or not!) to get to what you want!
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Thank you for posting this Peggy! I too have been feeling a little blah about writing. Hang in there! The contract will come, just keep on writing. You’re a great author! Publishing is a hard business, don’t let it get you down. We all have your back! 🙂
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