When you have worked in (or adjacent to) the publishing industry, you experience all varieties of writers. After working in an editorial department, I’ve found that the majority of authors are gracious people who are thankful for the work you’re doing to bring their book to life. But alongside the kind writers are the much louder minority of authors who can make the book publishing process a living hell for editors, production managers, designers, and marketers alike.
You might be thinking, but how do I stand up for myself and my book if things aren’t going my way? Just like anywhere else in life, being critical and being respectful aren’t mutually exclusive. Maintaining a positive, fruitful relationship with the publishing professionals in your circle is key to you and your book’s success.
Let’s examine the five most common ways authors may behave poorly and how you and your book coach can get you out of these traps should you find yourself moving in any of these directions.
1. You’re not open to edits.
It’s natural to feel protective of your words. You spent a great deal of time and thought developing them only for someone to start finding issues all over the place. Remember, we are all human and everyone makes mistakes. The editor’s job is to help your writing be the best it can be, not to impose on your vision.
An author who is unreceptive to edits is an editor’s nightmare, even more so for an independent contractor (as opposed to an in-house editor). Why pay someone to improve your work if you did not actually want to make any changes to it in the first place?
If you are having a hard time being edited in general, especially developmental or line-editing, reflect with your book coach on the message or main “point” of your book. Define it, write it out, read it a few times if you have to. Then look at the edits in front of you. Are they infringing upon or are they supporting your message?
2. You’re unwilling to invest in your book’s success.
What does investing in your book’s success look like? It could mean anything like paying for an editor, sensitivity reader, book coach, marketing, or even paying the legal costs of material used in the book. Many new writers truly do not have the money to pay for all of the ideal services and costs needed to make their books optimally successful, and that’s just a fact. But when you do have that money and choose not to spend it, you’re missing out on the vital expertise of professionals who know writing, publishing, and marketing better than you do. The best work is not done for free. If you are in a position to be paying a book coach, discuss with them which kinds of services are worth paying for; for example, paying a sensitivity reader may be more valuable than paying for a web designer. Investing in your book’s success means taking yourself and your work seriously.
3. You have higher than reasonable expectations of your publisher, editor, or agent.
The gap between publishers and their authors continues to widen, much to the detriment of new authors. This is not at all the fault of new authors but merely a result of a constantly changing, competitive market. Acquiring editors no longer have the time to foster close relationships with their authors, which results in a great deal of confusion and resentment over what the author’s responsibilities are versus the publisher’s. Many new authors, still harboring this false belief in an older system, will question the publisher at every stage (“how many copies have sold?” “Why isn’t the book selling?” “What do you need me to do?”) and feel dejected with the little to no answers they receive.
The book coaching profession was actually born out of this growing gap. A book coach can help the writer understand their role in marketing the book, help them develop a marketing plan, and understand their responsibilities post-publication. On the back end, the book coach can help craft a pitch plan, make developmental edits, and give the writer a better understanding of the publisher’s expectations when revising their book.
4. You expect your book to sell itself.
It’s a common misconception among some authors that once the book is published and out into the world, their work is done. Sadly, writing cannot make millions on quality alone. We all know there are plenty of well-written books that didn’t sell well and even more terribly-written books that sold incredibly well. In the former case, it can be about who you are or who you know. Most of us are not that well connected, and we cannot count on our publisher to be, either. Book publishing is, more than ever, a highly saturated market and you have to figure out a way to make your book stand out. This of course starts with an established author platform and a solid marketing plan. As I’ve already discussed, a book coach can help you through this process as well as help you assess the commercial viability of your book before you even get started.
5. You call your editor, agent, publicist, or coach 24/7.
This one comes from personal experience; when I was an editorial assistant, there were certain authors who responded to every email with a phone call. Some went into panic mode if nobody in the office picked up their calls.
It’s no secret that the folks attracted to working in the publishing/editing business tend to be introverts, meaning phone calls expend a significant amount of their energy. Professionals understand that phone calls are a direct way to discuss issues that are difficult to explain in writing. However, it’s important to remember that their time is valuable, and unscheduled phone calls can significantly derail someone’s productivity. Your professional relationship with your book coach will involve regularly scheduled phone calls but respectful boundaries still apply. While the occasional phone call or text in the event of a big win (ie. a publishing deal) or a big emergency (ie. a sudden personal matter that will delay delivery of your work materials) is understandable, nonstop calls for every little question will not be appreciated. But you can take comfort in knowing that your coach is invested in your success and present to answer questions your publisher or agent might not be available to answer.
If you’ve been this kind of author in the past or fear you might possess some of the characteristics I’ve described, don’t worry. Being aware of these issues is the first step to becoming a better collaborator. Remember, the professionals in your circle want your book to succeed and their work will reflect that. Your book coach can help you with any bumps or gaps in the road.
Interested in hiring a book coach? Use my contact page or email me at hanna@hannaetu.com.
Hanna Etu 