What I Wish Someone Would've Told Me Before I Signed My First Book Deal*
(even if it would've hurt my feelings)
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Being on sub is hard. Not for everyone, but for many of us. It doesn’t have to do with talent—I know brilliant writers whose brilliant books died on sub— but with zeitgeists and free markets and magic winds and shooting stars and tea leaves and sliding doors. There is so much alchemy that goes into storytelling and even more that goes into story selling. Both can feel endless and confusing— and it’s no wonder that when you do get that offer, whatever the offer is, you might want to shut up and take it. Who wouldn’t? You’ve been working and waiting, and this is all you ever wanted, and someone is literally there saying yes, you’ve done it, you belong here, sign this piece of paper and come follow us to the other side...
But that’s not always wise.
Book deals can be imperfect. You might be asked to whittle down your dreams a little bit (or a lot) to suit the industry. And before that happens to you, here are a few things you might want to consider.