Thursday, December 3, 2009

Top 5 Reasons You Know You're Ready To Be Published

Number #5 - Money isn't your main motivation.
Sure, you could become famous à la James Patterson, but that's not what sends your creative sparks flying. You're a writer. You have passion. And by golly, you're going to tell your stories no matter what!

Number #4 - The thought of an editor letter excites you.

This isn't a beta reader's or a critique partner's feedback, this is an editor's, as in the person who will publish your book! Of course you might not agree with everything they suggest, but at this point, you're not worried about that. You just can't wait to have an editor critique your writing.

Number #3 - You've written the best darn book you can.

Your personal resources have run out. You've edited your book a gazillion times, your writing friends have offered their critiques, and numerous drafts sit saved on your laptop, each one being updated by the next. You've done everything in your power to make your book sparkle! Now, it's time to offer it up to the professionals.

Number #2 - You've followed Writer's Digest rules to avoid publishing disappointment, which for the unpublished include:


* Establishing an online presence
* Identifying groups and individuals who'd be interested in your book
* Dreaming up ancillary materials for your book

And the Number #1 Reason? - You feel like you've already been published.

Your publishing contract may rock your world temporarily (and throw cause for celebration), but you're still going to be writing your butt off, researching industry news, blogging, tweeting, networking, marketing, editing, and everything else that you do right now! Only of course, you'll have someone else's imposed deadline to contest with. But what's another deadline, right?

So there you have it, my top 5. Did I forget anything? Let me know if you have another number to add. We can always make it the top 6 reasons :)

Oh, and P.S.
I'm so THERE!

9 comments:

Shannon O'Donnell said...

Great post idea, Steph - I love it!

I think you covered the top 5. There are others, always, but that sounds like a good TOP 5 to me! ;-)

Wendy Sparrow said...

I'm so ready too. Unfortunately--everything doesn't run on our schedule. Darn it!

WV-gammut--which is what I'm running through right now with queries and trying to find an agent.

Stephanie Thornton said...

I've still got a couple revisions in me, but then I'll be there! I can't wait!

Debra Lynn Shelton said...

Absolutely! I got my first Editorial Notes from my agent (which I'll be blogging about soon) and that was a MAJOR thrill!! Can't wait til the book sells and I get my editor's notes. ;-)

Stephanie Damore said...

Wendy - Well why and the heck not? I'm ready. Agent come find me. That's right, come find me! I'm done querying!!!! (okay, not really... just done until after Jan 1st)

Stephanie Damore said...

Debra - Did I mention that I'm completely insanely jealous? BUT you totally deserve it. You are a writing diva who's moment is here. I can't wait for your book to sell either!

Stephanie Damore said...

Shannon - Thanks so much. If you think of anything else, let me know!

Stephanie - Keep editing. We will get there together!

Laura Martone said...

Great list, Steph D. Good point, Steph T. I can't think of anything to add to this "top 5," but I'm definitely not THERE yet. I also have a few revisions left in me... or at least one really BIG one!

Stephanie Damore said...

Thanks Laura. Revisions can be rough, especially when you lack motivation (or at least that's what happens to me). I love my novel though, and I know someday (hopefully soon!) it'll be in print!