Publishing and Patience by Laurie Gardiner – Guest Blog and Giveaway


This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The authors will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

PUBLISHING AND PATIENCE

There are no words to describe the feeling a writer has when they write the words “The End.” Relief, joy, pride certainly, but also a tiny kernel of doubt and fear for what is still to come.

The best advice I took was to set my manuscript aside for a while. I was too close to it, and needed that separation in order to go back to it later with a clear mind and fresh perspective. While it sat, I researched. For a month, I spent hours each day reading every article, blog, and book I could find about revising, editing, and publishing. I kept my options open by researching traditional, indie, and self-publishing. To be traditionally published had always been my dream, but I knew how tough it is as a new author to break in to the industry.

Finally, I revised, and revised, and revised. I read the manuscript over and over, focusing on one issue each time, deleting, cutting and pasting, adding words where necessary. During this process, I discovered that I love ripping words apart and putting them back together, like a giant word puzzle. It gives me a sense of satisfaction to make good words better.

When I could revise no more, I set the MS aside again to gain distance before the editing stage. Now, the possibility of publication loomed so near, I could almost let myself believe it might happen. For the next few weeks, I researched traditional publishing in depth. I attended nearby publishing workshops with well-known authors and literary agents, arming myself with their knowledge and experience.

During this time, I discovered query letters; a good one will hook an agent or publisher, and motivate them to ask for more. Again, research was key in learning all I could about writing an engaging query. I wrote and rewrote my query, but still I struggled with it. Finally, I signed up for a query workshop with a literary agent who would spend the last hour of the class critiquing queries. Armed with a newfound confidence, and a query full of red ink, I went home and rewrote it.

Now that my query was honed and ready, I set to the task of editing and polishing my manuscript. Much like revising, each pass focused on an issue: one for dialogue, one for grammar, another for punctuation, etc. The final step was proofreading. When Tranquility was as polished as I could make it, I was ready to submit.

Again, research is key when searching for agents and publishers. Not only do you want to be sure those you submit to are legit, but also that they are looking for what you are offering. Submitting your YA fantasy to an agent who does not accept YA is a waste of your time and theirs. The best way to ensure they are a good fit, and at the same time protect yourself, is to take your time and research each one carefully.

It is too easy, in the euphoria of finishing a novel, or any written work, to rush the process. I get it, you’re excited and proud, and you want everyone to read it. But when you rush into publishing, whether self or traditional, without knowing exactly what you are doing, mistakes will happen. I’ve seen too many writers who don’t understand how publishing works, get sucked in by vanity presses who tell you they love your work and make all kinds of promises. Thousands of dollars later, the writer finally learns the hard way what they should have known all along; you never pay to publish.

In the same way, writers often rush into self-publishing, so eager to put their work out into the world, that they skip important steps. If you can’t afford an editor, wait a few months and save for it. Even better, set aside money each month while you are writing so that, by the time you are ready to publish, you can afford professional editing. If you are not good at cover design, hire someone to do it. Do your research. Learn all you can about self-publishing and marketing. Publishing a book that is not ready to be published will only hurt you in the long run.

It took me eight months to find a publisher. Eight months of researching each agent and publisher I submitted to, of tailoring each query to fit the submission. For months, I waited. With each email response, my heart skipped a beat. With each rejection, it sank. My patience paid off. I received two offers and six months later, my dream of becoming a published author came true.

From the time I sat down to sketch out the plot, to the date of publication, the whole process took nearly three years. Writing a book requires hard work, dedication, and patience. Research and learn. Arm yourself with knowledge. Take the time to do it right. In the end, it will pay off.

From Scout Media comes A Haunting of Words—the third volume in an ongoing short story anthology series featuring authors from all over the world.

In this installation, the reader will experience a multi-genre journey beyond traditional haunts; from comedy, to drama, fantasy, romance, and horror, these stories put eclectic spins on the every-day ghost tale. Whether you are running from the ghost of a vengeful mother, falling in love with an apparition, touring with a deceased famous musician, saving a newborn from a possessed crib, or having a specter cat as a sidekick, these stories of hauntings and apparitions will warm your heart, send shivers down your spine, and tickle your funny bone.

Whether to be enlightened, entertained, or momentarily caught up in another world, these selections convey the true spirit of the short story.

About the Author of Thief: Laurie Gardiner’s publications include short stories “Til Death Do Us Part,” which placed first in the Cambridge Writers’ Collective contest, “Retribution,” selected for publication in Scout Media’s 2016 anthology, A Journey of Words, and “Thief” included in the third “of Words” anthology, A Haunting of Words. Over the years, her poetry has also been published in various anthologies.

Her debut novel, Tranquility, published in 2015, by Escargot Books and Music, was inspired by her work as a personal support worker specializing in dementia care.

In 2015, she graduated with honors from Conestoga College’s Creative Writing program. She’s a Canadian, an avid reader, a yogi, and a Gemini. She grew up on a farm in remote northern Ontario and now lives near Toronto with her husband and cat.

Amazon Author Page | Facebook

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Comments

  1. Thanks for hosting!

  2. James Robert says

    Congrats on the tour and thank you for the giveaway.

  3. Lisa Brown says

    I enjoyed reading about your book; congrats on the tour and thanks for the chance to win 🙂

  4. Laurie Gardiner says

    Thanks so much to Long and Short Reviews for Hosting!

  5. Great advice! Thanks for sharing your story!

  6. What an inspiring story! Congratulations!

  7. Sounds like a good read.

  8. Great piece Laurie,

    I don’t think anyone realises the amount of work it takes to produce a good book, or what goes on behind the scenes (rewrites, edits, proofreading), so there’s some good information for budding authors in there.

    I loved your story in AHOW, too!

  9. Thanks also to Goddess Fish Promotions for their work in setting up the blog tour!

  10. Thanks for offering!

  11. As a fellow rock-fiction author, how hard was it for you to really get into the mind of the song? And were you surprised the guys in the band liked it??

    • Hi Brian, thanks for your question! Our Lady Peace has been one of my favourite Canadian bands for years. It was their video for the song “Thief” that inspired my story. The video is so simple, yet it evokes so much emotion, especially if you know the story behind it. After watching the video, a story idea came to me and as it evolved it took on a life of its own. I listened to the song on repeat for hours as I wrote “Thief.”
      I was surprised and honoured that the band took the time to read my story, and of course very flattered that they liked it.

  12. Great information in your article, Laurie!

    Most people don’t understand that writing a book is just the first step along the way, so this is a good ‘heads up’ for them.

    Loved your story in AHOW, by the way!

  13. I just have to say, Laurie, that I admire your fortitude in writing a book, acquiring a publisher, and working with as a pca with dementia clients. I also work as a pca, and am familiar with dementia as my grandma has it, but it takes a special heart to work with it all the time. My clients have different needs then that, and I’m not sure I would have what it takes to patiently care for dementia regularly.

    • Thank you, Care. My dad had Alzheimer’s as well. It’s so much harder when it’s a loved one, isn’t it? I’ve enjoyed my work with dementia clients, but it can definitely be challenging at times.
      Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to read and comment 🙂

  14. Happy Friday! Thanks for sharing the great post – I enjoyed reading it.

  15. Awesome and interesting! Great job.

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