Managing Expectations
Monday, July 20, 2009 Question of the day: My debut novel is coming out in a short while, and I'm going crazy in anticipation. Can you explain what I can expect to happen and how, maybe, I can calm myself!
Ah yes, what I like to deem the "pre-launch diet," in which you feel nauseated all the time and can barely manage a bite to eat. Been there, done that. And if you survey most authors, so have they.
Since this is your first time at the rodeo, here's what I have to say. And this is a lesson learned in hindsight, echoed by some other author friends, including Laura Dave, with whom I have spoken about this for hours on end. And that is this: be realistic in what you expect and hope for your book. This was the biggest difference in my mentality between the launch of my debut novel and the launch of Time of My Life. When you are a debut author, you almost hope for the world. Could it be made into a movie? Will it hit the best-seller list? Will your inbox be filled to the brim each day with fan mail? And I'm not telling you NOT to hope for the world, but the likelihood of truly incredible things happening for your book, are, well, slim.
Ugh, I know that some of you are groaning, saying that I'm being a spoilsport, but I'm not. I've spoken before on this blog about how the much (though not all) of the success of many books (not all, but many) is determined before they even get out of the gate. With print runs. With marketing and PR budgets (or lack thereof). With cover art. And review space. And co-op buys. I know that it sounds horrible (and maybe reckless) to say, but there is only so much that an author can do. (I really believe this, despite the fact that sure, I'm still going to be promoting the heck out of the paperback release of Time of My Life in a few weeks.) Yes, your self-promotion can make a difference, especially when you have the support of your publisher behind you, but it won't, in my opinion, be life-changing. So when I say be realistic, I'm not saying that you can hope for great things for your book. Of course you can, but also keep a wise voice in your head that is going to allow for you NOT to be totally disappointed and demoralized when the book doesn't top the bestseller list or get reviewed in People or light the world on fire.
Geez, I'm really just digging myself into a deeper hole, aren't I? :) Okay, here's another way of looking at it: when Laura (and other author friends) and I talk about what the biggest difference is between our outlooks on our debuts and our outlooks on our follow-up novels, we almost always say that, well, we're a wee more cynical now. YES, enjoy your debut for every second that you can. I'm not taking away from this. LOVE IT. OWN IT. YOU WORKED YOUR ASS OF FOR IT. But, and I can tell you from first-hand experience, manage your expectations as to the book's trajectory. NOT because this says anything about you or your book but because that is the realistic truth about the publishing world. Do all of your blog tours and Q/As and email promotions, get all of your friends to buy it (and their friends and their friends), but BE OKAY with the fact that at the very least, you are now a published author, and at best, your book does light the world on fire.
Look, this is a thrilling time for you, thrilling. And my only point here is that sometimes, authors get ahead of themselves and then wake up after the party and are, well, sad/disappointed/demoralized, for lack of better words that the party isn't still going. Enjoy the party NOW, while you're throwing it, and try not to worry about what comes next. That's all I'm saying. You're published! Congrats! A lot of the rest of it, in my opinion, is out of your hands.
/please don't throw tomatoes in the comments section/ :)
Reader Comments (5)
Great advice, Allison.
So true. I just sent my second manuscript into my editor. And while I love it and am so excited for it to hit shelves next April, I'm more detached than I was with book #1. I'm more aware that there are so many intangible factors at play out there, and I don't want to go back to the place where my confidence is governed by a rise or dip in my Amazon ranking!
We do our best, we throw a big party to celebrate when our titles hit shelves...and then we wait and see what happens. And while we wait, we start working on the next project.
I have only just begun in the last few weeks my first novel. I have experience writing non-fiction, commissioned works but this is my first venture into this world. I am writing it because I must and do not really expect it to find a publisher with ease, let alone worrying at some point about its debut! Thanks for the wise words should I ever reach that point!
Ted Smith
This advice could apply to many aspects of life. Well said! I tell people that when they have such high expectations they set themselves up to fail instead of grow and live in the moment.
Very true and honest advice, thanks!