More Misconceptions About Writing and Publishing

Here are more misconceptions about writing and being an author.

Misconception #5: Anyone can write a book if they only had the time.

The record: Okay, so this one is actually correct. Anyone can write a book. But no, not anyone can write a book worthy of being published no matter how much time they have. That reasoning would lead one to assume that anyone can play professional baseball if they were only given the chance. Or anyone can play the piano at concert level if they only had a piano. Writing is both a talent and a skill, both nature and nurture, innate and learned. Yes, it takes time, and determination, and hard work, and practice, and more practice, and humility, and perseverance, and creativity, and a lot of hard work.

Misconception #6: If you publish a book it will be in every bookstore.

The record: Don’t we all wish. The reality is that your book getting in a bookstore depends on the publishers sales reps and the bookstore’s or chain’s buyers. The two have to click to make the deal happen. If your last name is Sparks or King or Patterson or Grisham, yes, you will be in EVERY bookstore, but for most of us, we can only hope for that.

Misconception #7: Once your published, continuing to be published is a cinch.

The record: Being published once is not a guarantee of being published twice. Every author lives with the fear that the book he or she is working on now will be the last one he or she gets published. It’s a healthy fear, though, because it keeps us on our toes always striving to grow and improve our writing and come up with new and fresh and captivating story lines.

Misconception #8: Once you have a contract, anything you write will be accepted by the publisher.

The record: Um, no. Wrong. Every book idea has to be scrutinized by the editorial team, the marketing team, the accounting team, the sales team, and every idea has to be approved. I’ve had ideas both rejected and tweaked. That’s the business. The center of the publishing universe is not the author, it’s the consumer. And publishers will only accept ideas they think they can sell. Some get accepted, the rest rejected. That’s life.

Any other authors out there, feel free to leave a comment with other misconceptions you’ve run in to. Or if you have any questions about writing or the publishing process, fire away.