Controlling What We Can

As writers, there is so little about our career that we have control over. Our craft, yes. Whether we sell a book, find a reader, or get good reviews, not so much. Even whether bookstores will put our book on their shelves is totally out of our hands.

Therefore, it was of great comfort to me to hear Jennifer Enderlin of St. Martin’s Press emphasize that publishing is a business of relationships, whether with your publishing house or your readers. The thing is, introverts excel at relationships and connecting, so that plays to our strengths. She also had some really good things to say about those things the writer can control, and a lot of her advice strikes me as a way to "market" yourself to your publisher as someone who is professional and worth their time and investment. The advice is also a lot of common sense and good manners.

1. Hone your craft. (Sound familiar?)

2. Don't follow trends—instead, create your own.

3. Be emotional about your work, but not about the business.

4. Don't compare yourself to other writers. Each career path is as different as the books you write.

5. Make a team out of the people in your career by building on those relationships.

6. Treat your writing like a professional.

7. Find your own writer support group.

8. Get rid of the 'us versus them' mentality. Your publisher wants you to be successful. When you look good, your editor looks good.

9. Attend to the care and feeding of readers. Make them feel a part of a community. Answer email and be accessible.