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I'm thrilled to welcome author Margaret George today for a guest post as part of her virtual book tour.
Ten Things I Wish I Knew About Being an Author I Didn’t Know Before
1. Being an author is not what it used to be. The line between ‘authors’ and ‘non-authors’ has gotten blurry. Authors used to be exalted creatures who somehow had arrived at a magical place, and were treated with awe. But that was before self-publishing, blogs, memoirs, and all the other means of self-expression people have now. So don’t expect any bowing and scraping, or special treatment from the head waiter.
2. Authors don’t have piles of their books sitting around available for distribution. I used to think all authors had stockpiles (probably in an attached barn) that they could hand out like candy. I didn’t know they had to pay for them themselves, and probably didn’t have a lot of storage space to hoard them, either. So their supply is limited. Don’t ask for a free copy unless it’s necessary.
3. Authors don’t seek advice about what to write next. Usually they have already thought of it, and if they aren’t doing it, there’s a reason. But it hurts people’s feelings if they act less than enthusiastic. So if there’s a book you’ve always wanted to see written…try your own hand at it. You are clearly being called to it, and you are the right person for it.
4. Authors don’t have any more wisdom than the next guy, so they make poor advisors about how to live your life. They just pretend to be wise.
5. The hard-drinking, hard-partying novelist is as extinct as F. Scott Fitzgerald (a noted practitioner). Not as much fun as it used to be, but the life expectancy is longer.
6. The lavish book launch party is equally extinct, unless the author wants to host it himself. Ouch!
7. Friends buy the author’s book, they don’t ask for free copies.
8. Friends don’t say, “Oh how wonderful you’ve written a new book. I’ll get it from the library!”
9. Authors don’t have as much time to read as you’d think, so it’s embarrassing to ask them what they’re reading now. Usually it’s something they are obligated to read, rather than something for fun. Or it might be utter trash, for escapism!
10. Having a contract means you have a deadline and many times you have to miss out on fun things in ‘real life’ while you sit lonely before your computer, feeling sorry for yourself. That’s the down part. So be prepared. Just keep reminding yourself how happy you will be when you hold that finished book in your hands!
Margaret George is the author of six epic biographical novels, all New York Times bestsellers, featuring larger than life characters like Henry VIII and Cleopatra. Although painstakingly accurate historically, their real focus is the psychology of the characters. We know what they did, we want to know why. Her latest release is Elizabeth I.
Margaret’s research has taken her from the islands of Scotland to the temples of Upper Egypt, with experiences that include snake-keeping and gladiatorial training.
She lives in Wisconsin and Washington DC. Interests include reptile conservation efforts, Middle Eastern dance (aka bellydancing), and archeology.
That was a really interesting post, thanks Margaret! I particularly liked #7 :)
May 13, 2011 11:47 AM
Thrilled to see that Blogger is finally back up. Thanks for staying on top of this.
I loved this post. Thank you for hosting Margaret during her tour.
Cheryl
May 13, 2011 11:49 AM
This is great...thank you Margaret, and thank you to Daphne for hosting her...
May 13, 2011 2:31 PM
Wow...that was eye opening. It's the same for all artists as well...nobody seems to want to pay for anything anymore. And I also agree with the ebook craze on blogs...the marketing people who use to have websites moved to blogs and started manipulating the market and devaluing books. I still love going to the bookstore and finding great books to bring home. Fondly, Roberta
May 14, 2011 3:54 PM