about what I learned
Today marks the second anniversary of the publication of my book, The Fiction Class. Two years is a very long time in publishing. If I were to convert that into dog years, my book would be a very old dog. However, here we are, not exactly coasting onto the best seller list, but not yet on the remainder table either. In fact, last time I walked into a Barnes & Noble, I saw ten TFCs face out on the shelves. So, what have I learned in these last two years?
1. Librarians are more important than I thought. I have to say librarians were not even on my radar when my book came out. Only afterwards, when my husband figured out how to figure out which libraries were ordering copies and how many, did I realize just how many books libraries buy. Not only that, but librarians organize book clubs, recommend books. If I could do it over again, and hopefully I will, I’d send a letter and bookmarks to each library in New York.
2. Independent bookstores are more important than I thought. I knew they were important, but I didn’t realize they mattered quite so much. I’d read so many articles about the decline of the independent book store that I thought they’d declined. Which maybe they have, but they still have a lot of clout. Plus, they chat with each other. Make a friend at one bookstore and you’ve made friends at a lot of bookstores. If I could do it over again, I’d send letters and bookmarks to each independent book store in New York and possibly wider.
3. Barnes & Noble is important, which I knew, but not just as a corporate entity. Its stores are run by people known as CRMS and they are as passionate and lovely as everyone else in the book business. (Which is not me being snide. I mean it truly.) I read so many articles about the heartless megastores and so on, but I found the CRMs to be incredibly supportive. I’ve saved the names of all the CRMS I met and I will send them letters and bookmarks. (You notice a theme.)
4. People like writers. It’s an odd thing, but true. I spent so many years with a chip on my shoulder, fulminating about not getting published, being angry every time someone asked about anything. But what I realize now is that people were just curious. They find authors an interesting breed. They want to help. I am dumbfounded at the things complete strangers have done to help me—recommendations, introductions. One woman invited me to stay at her house in England. More importantly people have trusted me enough to share very personal information.
It’s been a great ride and I can’t wait to see where it goes. How about you? What have you learned in the last two years?
February 28th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Hi Susan,
In the past two years I have learned a tremendous amount. Some of it about writing, a lot of it about what I need to do to be happy and healthy. I’ve begun a certificate program in fiction, which has helped me develop my skills as a fiction writer. I’m getting better at each attempt. In addition to learning from having my own work critiqued, I learn a great deal from critiquing other writers. I have learned that stories are written and rewritten one word at a time and failure is not a terrible thing.
I have learned a level of humility in my writing and in my life that brings with it (surprisingly) a peace that I’ve never felt before. I can’t always hang on to it yet, but the more I realize how much of my life is out of my hands, the more I can leave worry behind and focus on what I can do something about.
I have learned that there is a limit to my strength — a complete shock to me, and there’s a peek at my hubris.
What else? Money is nice, but it’s not the most important thing. You can take a damaged cat, love the heck out of it, and watch a being repair itself. Gratitude and grace are action words.
That’s it in a (rather large) nutshell. Thanks as always, Susan. If you’re ever up in my neck of the woods (Syracuse), I’d be happy to treat you to a tasty beverage of your choice.
KT
December 3rd, 2010 at 10:31 pm
Not to give up dreaming and writing. I’d had children’s novels and a book of poetry published but this month my first novel for adults, Streets on a Map, comes out. Exciting times.