Avoiding New Writer Pitfalls

I know about new writer pitfalls first hand.

When my first book was written in 2009, the publishing industry was going through a crisis. Layoffs in the publishing world seemed to occur more frequently than snowflakes in a blizzard.

At that time, once flourishing publishing houses practically came to a halt in their production of new titles. Fledgling writers like myself were not feeling welcome.

My first novel had just been completed and I just knew (i.e. thought) that I was supposed to see it published right away. So I made a decision that I now deem to be unwise: I self-published “The Road to Deer Run” and spent a lot of money doing so.

Oil Painting that became the cover for my first novel

It actually was well received for its storyline but five years later, I see the flaws I made as a new writer. I didn’t know enough about writing and it showed.

Today, self-publishing is common and is no longer deemed a plebeian form of seeing a book become a reality. But there is much more to publishing a really great book that just getting it formatted to Kindle. There are proper edits to any book that will make a reader not want to put your story down. There is marketing. There are writer’s conferences you should attend. There are books on the writing craft you’ll want to read. There are many facets of getting published without making the myriad of mistakes that I did. And were I to start over again, self-publishing is not the way I would begin.

My hopes for this column are that I might encourage you in your writing. Crafting words and pitching ideas to potential editors, publishers and agents can seem overwhelming. My first encouragement to you is to take one step at a time. Don’t rush from having an idea for a novel to seeking an agent. Take your time and absorb as much knowledge from other writers and editors who have been in the writing trenches. Don’t be in such a hurry to see your book birthed that you make mistakes that you might regret later. No one is more aware of this than I am.

In this monthly column for Almost An Author, I want to encourage you. I’m now a published author who has gone from feeling humiliated to winning awards. From self-publishing to having six contracts signed for books. Even “Road to Deer Run” has been contracted for re-release with an independent Christian publisher and will receive new edits and a new cover later this year.

After five years of struggle and mistakes, God has given my first novel new life—just like He gave new life to me when I became a Christian. I’m so grateful for His grace!

(Old Typewriter image courtesy of Thaikrit through FreeDigitalPhotos.net)