Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained

Yesterday Karen and I (encouraged by Tana) participated in our first #PitMad on Twitter. For those of you who don’t know (I didn’t), it’s a pitch session to agents and acquiring editors that happens four times a year. It’s put on by the Pitch Wars people (www.pitchwars.com). If an agent or editor likes your pitch (only 280 characters including hashtags😱), then you send them your query letter and whatever else they want. It’s no guarantee that you’ll get an agent or editor, but it’s a foot in the door.

Like every writer, I want to be published. I’d like to give traditional publishing a shot. I’ll also look into hybrid and self-publishing. But being traditionally published has always been my dream. So, I have to put myself out there. #PitMad was a tiny step in that direction. I didn’t get any likes and very few retweets, but I put myself out there. It’s not the only step I’ll take. It’s only the first baby step. I’ve done lots of research about agents and editors while I wait for my beta reader feedback and then do the final, final edits. Then, it will be time to query in earnest.

If you want to be a writer who receives compensation for your work, you have to learn to self-promote. Find ways to query, get your brand out (before your book is ready to publish) on social media, network, and find a group of people, like I have, to support you. It is all part of being a writer. There is more to the business of writing than just getting words on the page. While that is assuredly the most important part, because it’s your product, you have to be prepared for what it takes to get yourself published and to be successful. Getting the words on the page is hard work, but I’m finding so is the other piece of it. It takes time away from the writing. I hate that. But it is necessary. The trick is to find a balance that allows you to put yourself out there without sacrificing your writing time. It’s a tightrope walk. One can easily take over the other, but both are vital to a rewarding career.

So, I’m not disappointed that yesterday didn’t yield any likes or retweets. I did gain a couple of new Twitter followers, and I’ve decided to rebrand my Twitter feed for just my writing and use it for pitching events and other writing happenings over there. (You can follow me @culbertsonli.) I’ll begin the querying process in earnest after the new year. I look forward to my first rejection, because, hey, that’s part of the process too. I guess starting this as a seasoned person I’m a little more realistic about my expectations. I have enough life experience to know that one rejection or two (or more) won’t dim my enthusiasm for this thing I love. I know the process takes time, but in the end I’ll get where I want to be one way or another. I have faith in me, and when I don’t I have Karen and Tana to build me back up. I have “my girls” at my back so I know I can take the risks required to getting published.

Besides, nothing ventured, nothing gained.