If you’re waiting on beta readers…
Throw yourself into critiquing others; attend a writer’s conference, webinar, or workshop; outline your next book; set up your author website.
If you’re waiting for an agent…
Start working on (or finishing) your next book; avoid reading too much into agents’ social media posts; tidy up your author blog or website or revamp for a new look; decide on a blog or social media schedule that you can keep up with.
If you’re waiting for an editor…
Strategize with your agent about next steps; ask your agent questions so you’re up to speed when you talk with editors; avoid reading too much into editors’ social media posts; keep social media contact with editors to zero or a bare minimum; polish up your next project.
If you’re waiting for your book to come out…
Plan your personal publicity and marketing roll out; schedule a call or visit with your publisher’s promotional team; talk to writer friends about what’s worked for them–publicity, keeping your sanity or otherwise!; deliver your second book before your first comes out to keep the noise out of your head.
If you’re waiting for reviews…
Step away from the comments, I repeat, step away from the comments.
Q: What do you do when you have to wait in the publishing industry?
I do the only thing you can do; work on a new novel. :)
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I do other things; such as, conduct research for the next book idea, blog three times a week on my main site (not WordPress) Lol, and of course, write something, anything to keep my skills fresh. :)
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Keeping busy with the next book. Joining in as many contests as I can. Trying not to email my agent every second day.
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As regards literary conferences, I recommend the Bread Loaf Writers Conference, the nation’s oldest and very well-respected. I served on the admin staff there for 7 years…learned a lot. Worked one-on-one with Charles Baxter, Yusef Komunyakaa, Andrea Barrett, Linda Pastan, & others. Met a lot of agents and editors. Plus, it’s very nice to be in the Vermont mountains in August.
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Reblogged this on Machina Verborum.
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Right now I’m waiting for the book cover for my second book to arrive. Instead of checking and rechecking my email endlessly, I’ve distracted myself by making a rag rug. It looks horrible, but it keeps me away from my email :D
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I catch up on my reading. It’s either writing or reading–one at a time–for me. So switching gears during part of the waiting period delivers a (much needed) recharge.
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Great post, Carly, and a much needed reminder for me this week as I throw myself back into querying!
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Basic answer for a great post: work each day. Write each day. Parcel out the duties that will move you forward. At night, read and relax.
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Reblogged this on Writer's Zen Blog.
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If I am expecting a long waiting period, I start working on my next manuscript. I do not like to start something new, just to put it aside in a week or so. If I expect it to be a shorter waiting period, I research and brainstorm ideas for something different, or something to add to what I am already writing.
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Thank you for that great advice. As a debut author it can be very tempting to wait until this stage or that stage is clearer, e.g., agent representation in my case, before diving into the next project. We all know that doing so doesn’t benefit anyone, but it’s still a challenge to move forward when another project is in a holding pattern.
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Reblogged this on Literary Breadcrumbs.
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I really needed this, thank you, especially the advice to avoid reading too much into social media posts. Guilty as charged. ;)
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Clean the house. Seriously, it does get a little neglected while I’m writing, and it gives me a chance to burn off that nervous energy. Then I turn back to the craft doing something, anything toward that goal. Whether it’s jotting down an idea, reading a trade magazine, blogging, scoping out a conference or writing a flash fiction piece — forward movement.
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Reblogged this on Adventures of an author's wife.
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Reblogged this on Elle Marr and commented:
Great words of wisdom regarding publishing and the author’s life!
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