Making Friends in a New Town is Like Writing After You’ve Become a Publishing Orphan
by Debra H. Goldstein
The first time I was orphaned by a publisher, my book, Maze in Blue had been in existence for less than six months. Until, as my plane was about to land for my first Sleuthfest, I opened the e-mail telling me my publisher was going out of business, I’d been on cloud nine. The book, a mystery set on the University of Michigan’s campus, was selling well. I was enjoying the opportunity to hobnob with and fan-girl writers I’d admired from afar and to meet other newbies like me. Best of all, I was booked for conference panels, bookstore signings, and book club presentations for at least the next six months.
When my plane landed, I was in a tizzy. Every agent and author I spoke to at Sleuthfest gave me the same advice: “Write something new.” Great advice, but could I? For weeks, I only wanted to roll myself into a ball and hide, but I didn’t. I attended the panels, signings, and other presentations with a smile on my face that hid my inner turmoil. Even winning an IPPY award for the book didn’t change my personal feelings. Despite my emotions, I knew I had to take the advice to write something new, continue taking craft classes, and redouble my networking with other authors.
Basically, I had to fake it until I made it.
I had the same reaction when the publisher of my second book, Should Have Played Poker: a Carrie Martin and the Mah Jongg Players Mystery, decided to end its mystery line. Although I once again felt hollow inside, this time there were other authors who gave me emotional support as I followed the advice to write something new. Happily, things worked out with Kensington soon publishing the first of five Sarah Blair mysteries.
As I write this, I’ve just moved from Alabama to Georgia. In doing so, I will be nearer to one of my daughters and her family, but I’m leaving behind a great network of friends. Although I know a few people in the Atlanta area, I’m going to have to force myself out of my comfort zone to make new friends. If you give me a microphone, I can be funny, but small talk and reaching out to people is much harder for me. From my writing experience and life in general, I’ve learned that it’s simply a matter of faking it until I make it.
Fingers crossed that the lessons I’ve learned from writing will translate to being in Georgia.
Best wishes for your new life in Georgia!
ReplyDeleteThank you
DeleteGood luck with the move, Debra!
ReplyDeleteI totally get what you mean about having to write something new, starting over. I'm fast approaching what feels like the edge of a steep cliff writingwise. Once I finish my current WIP, I will be at the end of another contract, and my agent wants me to venture into the uncharted territory of writing stand-alones. Technically, I'm not a publishing orphan, though, and could fall back on writing either of my two series. But I need to stretch my wings and hope I don't crash and burn in the process.
You won’t. The skills are there as is the creative ability. The hard part is overcoming the nagging fear rather than letting it become a paralyzing force of procrastination. With two series under your belt, you’ve proven you can force your way forward.
DeleteThe hard part of meeting people for many of us is a deep insecurity that the kids in the new place won't like us -- despite proof from prior moves and experiences that we are likable. But, knowing you, my advice is to just be likable self and everything will turn out well. (Now, if I could only take my own advice . . .)
ReplyDeleteJust reach out and keep going. Join a gym; go to community events, especially at the library; put an ad out asking for people to join a local version of the sadly departed Nanowrimo (that has the advantage of possibly introducing you to like-minded people, but is time-limited so if you don't find them to be compatible, you have a graceful exit.)
ReplyDeleteI moved a few years ago, and sadly left my local writing community behind. I'm sorry to say I haven't found a new one, but I have found lots of non-writer friends, and thanks to the internet, am able to maintain contact with other writers.