Last week I emailed my
publisher the manuscript for the fourth novel in my Teen Wytche Saga. The
emotions that crashed over me afterward were akin to those I experienced when I
sent my only child off to college: anxiety, relief, and worry. Free and adrift,
the second-guessing began. When Brilliant Beautiful Daughter had insisted on
moving to college alone, I had fretted. Should
I override her wishes and accompany her anyway? With the manuscript my
internal critic worried, Should I have
lessened the intensity of the plot? Will I lose my tween readers?
Worry feeds fear. She’ll hate college and drop out. (She
didn’t. She graduated 7th in her class.) Worry energy supports a
negative outcome. My book will be
rejected because (fill in the blank). Instead or agonizing, take positive
action.
5 Actions to Take While Waiting For the Call
1. Think
Transmedia
Brainstorm
new forms your book might take utilizing fresh content, such as a graphic
novel, a video, or an interactive game.
2. Plot
Your Publicity Campaign
Whether
you are traditionally published, self-published, or published with a small
press, you’ll need to promote your book. For small press authors in particular,
this is a good time to create memes, investigate blog tours, brainstorm blog ideas
and twitter campaigns, and polish your bio and blurb.
Aidan From Spell Struck returns in Book 4 of the Teen Wytche Saga |
3. Update
or Start a Series Bible
You
may think you’ll remember the hair and eye color of every character, but trust
me, you’ll forget. Since the Teen Wytche Saga is a Young Adult series, my
entries for each character include:
Age:
Hair:
Eyes:
Clothing:
Backpack:
Pets:
Bedroom:
Secret
crush:
Family:
Activities:
Symbols:
Character
traits:
Misc.:
School
issues:
Be sure to note
returning characters.
4. Feed
the Social Media Beast
At
minimum, you should have a professional-looking website. Build from there.
Discover which social media you prefer. Yes, it is hard to find time to write
your next novel when you are busy tweeting, blogging, creating boards, posting
pictures, etc. But in the period between signing a contract and writing your
next book, beef up your online presence.
5. Write
the next Book
Writers
are pressured to write faster and faster these days. Don’t wait too long before
you write, research, or outline your next book.
Positive
actions taken now lower your anxiety level in the short-term. More importantly,
they’ll lessen the pressure later when your manuscript has been accepted, and
the crunch toward publication begins.
Coming
Soon:
August
17: Enter to win a $25.00 Amazon Gift Card
August 18: Meet My Character Blog Introducing Sophia from Book 4 in the Teen Wytche Saga.
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