Hi friends. It’s five days out from Fat Tuesday so I’m trying to get this letter out early before I disappear into the beautiful void. This morning I’m off to buy a sack of oysters for a party tonight. I am already planning on being hungover tomorrow and I know it will be worth it. I love that feeling of flipping the switch and just sinking into the Mardi Gras moment. After I send out this letter, consider the switch flipped.
I listened to a craft talk by Louise Miller, and she said something that has stuck with me for years: "Publishing is business. Writing is art. Don't confuse the two, and don't let the business steal the joy from your art." As you said, no one can take that away from us. <3
I love this statement of your intentions--they are such a beautiful vision of a writing life: "When I think about the long term of my career it’s not in terms of who is publishing me, but instead in terms of how I’m spending my time, making sure I’m being forward-thinking and positive in all ways. I focus on maintaining my voice and figuring out the kinds of stories I think are important and natural for me to tell. And I try to use social media not just to present and promote my work in a way that’s entertaining and useful and positive but as a way to develop a robust community."
I had two publishers interested in my novel, but decided to self-publish. And so far, I didn't regret my decision. If I hadn't self-published my novel, I would be still waiting. Their offer was spring '24. By then I will have two more novels and one non-fiction book published. And let's face it, I would not have been on their priority list when it comes to marketing.😊💗
I listened to a craft talk by Louise Miller, and she said something that has stuck with me for years: "Publishing is business. Writing is art. Don't confuse the two, and don't let the business steal the joy from your art." As you said, no one can take that away from us. <3
I love this statement of your intentions--they are such a beautiful vision of a writing life: "When I think about the long term of my career it’s not in terms of who is publishing me, but instead in terms of how I’m spending my time, making sure I’m being forward-thinking and positive in all ways. I focus on maintaining my voice and figuring out the kinds of stories I think are important and natural for me to tell. And I try to use social media not just to present and promote my work in a way that’s entertaining and useful and positive but as a way to develop a robust community."
I had two publishers interested in my novel, but decided to self-publish. And so far, I didn't regret my decision. If I hadn't self-published my novel, I would be still waiting. Their offer was spring '24. By then I will have two more novels and one non-fiction book published. And let's face it, I would not have been on their priority list when it comes to marketing.😊💗