100%! I always celebrate typing "The End" after finishing my last draft... but I get a little sad, too, because I can no longer be safe and happy in this terrifying story I've told (lol), and now I have to think about the scariest part of all. PUBLISHING. 💀🤣
I’m nearing the end of my first draft and starting to think about publishing as well (though will do a couple more drafts before I attempt). This is a good reminder to enjoy this time! It’s honestly just so much fun and fulfilling. But I do want people to read what I’ve wrote, so I guess I have to take all that comes with it 🤷♀️
I may have missed it, but mine is not on your list. You have a three-book contract and a confirmed five-year place with the publisher as a stable author, and they don't publish any of it. Rather, they stop you from publishing your stuff (they get to hold it for five-years pre-pub) and they push similar title from another author who has a longer relationship with them. Yep, oh to be young and foolish again. Lol!
No, not in my case. But I have heard of big imprints holding onto MSs. In my case, it was a robust niche press, so it would have been a healthy return. That’s why you sign, right? And also, because back then we didn’t have the ability to self-publish, self-promote, and self-distribute. You know, it was all paper and offset presses.
I SO appreciate this post. I'm a 2026 debut author and I've already experienced some of these things, but my social media feeds are awash in authors who are seemingly the lucky, chosen ones, because...I mean, it's social media! But man, it can feel lonely over here on my laptop, struggling through the first draft of the second book in my contract and feeling both super lucky myself for getting a book deal at all, and also...a bit lonely and anxious
I'm sorry you've been feeling these feels, but I'm glad reading this helps. Your comment is so relatable... I felt pretty lonely my debut year, too. It got better once I started bonding with more authors outside of my debut year/group who knew that NOT getting all those things was absolutely normal. Good luck with your debut and CONGRATS!!!
I had to stop reading around ~45 because I felt a panic attack come on (JK, but not really). OMG Diana...you are a brave, amazing woman for posting this. Beyond helpful. And I have no doubt that MULTIPLE authors can attest to each and every one!
Haha, thank you! Sorry to trigger any anxiety. 😭 I was nervous to post this one lol, but it's silly that I was, and that some of this is shrouded in secrecy. These are just the facts of the business, and we're all adults who need to make educated business decisions. I'd always rather know the truth than be coddled. (But again sorry for the panic 🤣)
This happened with my debut, and it was SO disappointing at the time, but oddly enough, that's still my bestselling book to date. That book launched 3/17/20 and all the pre-launch stuff was pre-pandemic, so maybe there were enough physical ARCs out to make up for it. I'm not sure if this happens as much these days.
85. Your local (only) bookshop in your town rejects your suggestion of doing an in-store book signing. (True story 😔)
Oh noooo I'm sorry. (But, yes, this one's pretty common, too! Thanks for sharing.)
Sadly, I have experienced quite a few of these! It's rough in this business.
Same. I thought about tallying how many have happened to me and sharing that number but oof. OOF! 🫂
I thought about tallying mine, too! But then, nah. Why torture ourselves?
Ha yep, nope! Here for solidarity, not torture! 🤣
Ooof… not an easy pill to swallow. But it’s important to be prepared for rejection. And to not lose touch with why you write. Thanks for sharing!
100%! I always celebrate typing "The End" after finishing my last draft... but I get a little sad, too, because I can no longer be safe and happy in this terrifying story I've told (lol), and now I have to think about the scariest part of all. PUBLISHING. 💀🤣
I’m nearing the end of my first draft and starting to think about publishing as well (though will do a couple more drafts before I attempt). This is a good reminder to enjoy this time! It’s honestly just so much fun and fulfilling. But I do want people to read what I’ve wrote, so I guess I have to take all that comes with it 🤷♀️
I may have missed it, but mine is not on your list. You have a three-book contract and a confirmed five-year place with the publisher as a stable author, and they don't publish any of it. Rather, they stop you from publishing your stuff (they get to hold it for five-years pre-pub) and they push similar title from another author who has a longer relationship with them. Yep, oh to be young and foolish again. Lol!
THE WAY MY JAW JUST DROPPED. 😨 This is indeed one I’ve never heard of before, and I’m so sorry this happened. Was this a Big-5 imprint?
No, not in my case. But I have heard of big imprints holding onto MSs. In my case, it was a robust niche press, so it would have been a healthy return. That’s why you sign, right? And also, because back then we didn’t have the ability to self-publish, self-promote, and self-distribute. You know, it was all paper and offset presses.
I SO appreciate this post. I'm a 2026 debut author and I've already experienced some of these things, but my social media feeds are awash in authors who are seemingly the lucky, chosen ones, because...I mean, it's social media! But man, it can feel lonely over here on my laptop, struggling through the first draft of the second book in my contract and feeling both super lucky myself for getting a book deal at all, and also...a bit lonely and anxious
I'm sorry you've been feeling these feels, but I'm glad reading this helps. Your comment is so relatable... I felt pretty lonely my debut year, too. It got better once I started bonding with more authors outside of my debut year/group who knew that NOT getting all those things was absolutely normal. Good luck with your debut and CONGRATS!!!
On the plus side, I didn't even know some of these things were a thing.
Sorry 🙈
Once again Ive learned a lot. I took notes. Thanks for sharing.
You're welcome, I'm glad this was helpful! 🫶
So many of these things happened to me 😂😭
Same, same 😭
I had to stop reading around ~45 because I felt a panic attack come on (JK, but not really). OMG Diana...you are a brave, amazing woman for posting this. Beyond helpful. And I have no doubt that MULTIPLE authors can attest to each and every one!
Haha, thank you! Sorry to trigger any anxiety. 😭 I was nervous to post this one lol, but it's silly that I was, and that some of this is shrouded in secrecy. These are just the facts of the business, and we're all adults who need to make educated business decisions. I'd always rather know the truth than be coddled. (But again sorry for the panic 🤣)
No worries I agree, facing reality is always best that way you can prepare! :)
Wow, both comprehensive and sobering! Can I add returns to the list? 😞
15 is just mean and foolish of them
This happened with my debut, and it was SO disappointing at the time, but oddly enough, that's still my bestselling book to date. That book launched 3/17/20 and all the pre-launch stuff was pre-pandemic, so maybe there were enough physical ARCs out to make up for it. I'm not sure if this happens as much these days.