Since I never intended to become a writer, it goes without saying
that I never intended to become a professional author. I'm
still at the beginning of my career, so I learn new things about
the business with every book I write. But in eight years, I've
sold eight book-length fiction manuscripts and seen six of them
become published novels. I'm writing for one of our country's
largest publishing houses, with divisions in English-speaking markets
around the world, and two top-notch editors and a wonderful literary
agent are looking after me. That means I'm bound to know something
about this business.
But, like many other
authors, I only know my own particular path to success. All
I can give you is a glimpse at the process. If you're
curious about how books reach the store, this section may
be more than you want, but if you're dead set on building
your own career from the ground up, you will need to go well
beyond the basic advice in my pages. This is a tricky and
dangerous business, with far more losers than winners. It's
up to you to keep yourself out of trouble.
I wish you all the
best if you have publishing endeavors of your own. As the
Irish say, Fair play to you!
Being an author
means answering your fan mail instead of working on your revision
because the fan mail is more fun.
Being an author means
believing just about everything your editor tells you because
you are firmly convinced she's
the lifeline anchoring you to reality.
Being an author means reading an unfavorable comment about one of
your books and then arguing with the reviewer for hours in the pleasant
seclusion of your mind.
Being an author means being unable to listen to your books
on tape because the sound of those familiar words in a stranger's
voice produces an attack of the willies.
Being an author means
spending early book signings chatting with the latte makers
at the coffee counter because no one else in the store knows
you exist.
Being an author means
spending later book signings in a whirl of name-spellings
and handshakes, a little sorry because now that people know
about you, there's no more time to chat.
Being an author means
the occasional pleasure of emails from your editor that begin
with "Lovely news!"
Being an author means
feeling vaguely startled at the sight of your own books in
the bookstore, as if you have discovered that one of your
pets has gotten loose and is running around in the mall.
Being an author means
having the power to add memories to the minds of strangers
thousands of miles away.
Being an author means
being a writer—first, foremost, and always.
An author is an accident of economics and publicity,
but a writer is the self-contained, unassailable spirit that
creates for its own delight.
