Pitfalls Encountered by Authors: Submission and Publication Process

=====================================================

In the world of publishing, rejections and bad reviews are common occurrences, and they don't always reflect the quality of an author's work. This is a crucial fact to remember, especially for new authors who may view rejections as personal attacks.

The querying process can be particularly challenging for no-name authors. Agents are primarily concerned with what they believe will sell, rather than the quality of the work itself. This reality can make it difficult for new authors to navigate the industry, but it's essential to remember that even the most famous writers have faced rejection.

One common pitfall for writers is viewing their book as an extension of themselves, rather than a product. It's helpful to think of a book as a product, such as a shirt, to understand that people will have different preferences and opinions. If authors took every criticism to heart, they might not publish beyond the first book or two.

Fear is another common culprit for writers getting stuck in the querying and publishing stage. Sharing work is scary, but it's important to be confident that it has been edited and received feedback. Realizing this can help authors move past fear and rejection in the querying and publishing process.

Traditional authors start by querying agents and/or editors at publishing houses, while self-published authors skip the middlemen and publish themselves. Regardless of the path chosen, setting deadlines and seeking feedback can help authors move forward when they find themselves stuck.

The mini-series, which covers querying and publishing, is a valuable resource for writers who find themselves stuck at various stages of the process. The series was launched through a poll on Twitter and has been a valuable discussion for writers everywhere.

This article was contributed as a guest post by Allison Maruska. For more insights, readers can refer to the article "Where Writers Get Stuck: Querying and Publishing," written by Julie Duffy and published in 2021. The article provides a firsthand account of a bestselling novel that almost didn't make it to publication due to fear.

In conclusion, rejection and fear are common experiences in the querying and publishing process. However, understanding that rejection is not a personal attack but a matter of reader preference, and being confident in one's work after receiving feedback, can help authors navigate the industry with more ease.